Volcanic Wines from Mount Vesuvius

Vesuvius is one of the few places in the world where vines grow on the slopes of an active volcano. The soil here is not ordinary earth: it is volcanic sand, lapillo and ash, laid down by eruptions over centuries. It drains fast, holds heat and is rich in minerals. Vines have to work for water, and that effort shows up in the glass.  VESUVIUS AND ETNA ARE NOT THE SAME. Both are volcanic, but that is where the similarity ends. Etna, in Sicily, works with Nerello Mascalese and Carricante. Vesuvius, in Campania, grows Caprettone, Piedirosso and Aglianico, and its wines carry the Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio DOC. Different volcano, different soils, different grapes, different denomination.  THE GRAPES OF VESUVIUS. Caprettone is a white grape native to the volcano. Piedirosso is the red behind Lacryma Christi Rosso. Aglianico brings structure and ageing potential.  WHERE WE FARM. Our vineyards are in Boscotrecase, on the slopes of Vesuvius, in the area of the Vesuvius National Park.