Basilicata, which encapsulates all the varieties of the Italian landscape in just eleven thousand square kilometres, is one of the country's most genuine regions, dominated by mother nature which has never completely surrendered to the march of mankind. Here the vines compete with the more widespread olive for the land. The Mount Vulture volcano, extinct since antiquity, dominates the plateau rising to a height of 1300 metres. Its lava mixed with the soil rich in clay, calcium, nitrogen and tuff, creates a terroir that is unique of its kind in the Mediterranean's winemaking panorama. The component of volcanic origin gives the wine a particular minerality and flavour. The most widespread vine in Basilicata is Aglianico, from the name of the Greek vine, Ellenico or Hellenic.

Soils of volcanic origin, a special light and a continental climate characterized by very cold winters and hot summers with great temperature swings, beat out the rhythms of the Vulture lands. And it is from this particular and singular terroir in the Mediterranean that unique mineral wines, with marked hints of spices, spring.

RE MANFREDI
Frederick II of Swabia had a particular fondness for this land as shown by the stupendous castles that are still perfectly preserved here today. On the death of his father, Re Manfredi or King Manfred became the Regent of Southern Italy in 1258. He was excommunicated by Pope Innocent IV who resented his political independence. Elected King of Sicily in Palermo, he reigned until 1266, the year in which he died in the battle of Benevento. Dante mentions him in the Divine Comedy. Manfred emerges from Dante's text as a victim of the Pope's power and of the improper use for political ends of the totally religious and spiritual institution of excommunication. King Manfred, son of Frederick II, loved to withdraw here and it is to him that the winery dedicates its prestigious Aglianico.