BENITO FERRARA

Campania, Italy

Gabriella Ferrara and her husband Sergio, who own and manage the estate, are the fourth generation of viticulturists of their family. Their children Antonio and Lucia as the fifth generation work passionately in the winery to help enhance the company.

Gabriella’s great grandfather planted vines on his property and he used to bring vegetables and wine on foot and with a donkey to the town of Tufo.

The first vintage that was bottled was 1991. The vineyards are managed by Gabriella and by Sergio and they are supported by the well know oenologist Paolo Caciorgna in the cellar.

The altitude of San Paolo district, in the commune of Tufo, where the estate is located, is 500 meters above sea level, the excellent exposure is east/east-west. The soil is white, clayey and mixed clayey. When the soil is tilled, now and then sulphur rocks come to the surface as there are sulphur quarries (now closed) nearby. These hills are surrounded by higher mountains which protect this area. During the summer months it is warm during the day and cool at night and this, as you know, favors the aroma of the wines. It is also very airy here so that there are no problems with disease or insect attacks to the vines.

The total vineyards extension is 22.5 hectares and will become 33 hectares in a few years. The Greco vineyards are all in the district of San Paolo. The age of the vines is from 5 years to 40-60 years. Vigna Cicogna, a vineyard of 1.5 hectares, is the cru of the estate. The vines are between 15 and 60 years old. The viticultural practices are naturally environment friendly. The Aglianico vineyards are in Montemiletto, within the Taurasi DOCG appellation. The altitude is 500-700 meters, the exposure is east, the zone is very airy. The soil is white and mixed clayey. The vines are between 10 and 15 years old. The Fiano vineyards are in the zone of Lapio. The altitude is 500 meters above sea level, the exposure is east. The vines are approximately 20 years old. The vines of the Taurasi production are about 20-25 years old. The old part of the cellar dates back to 1860, a new part was added in 1998. The cellar equipment is very modern as Greco grapes and must tend to oxidize. The red wines mature in new and second use French oak barriques depending on the wine.

The wines produced are: Greco di Tufo DOCG “Terra d’Uva, Greco di Tufo DOCG “Vigna Cicogna”, Campania Aglianico IGP, Fiano di Avellino DOCG “Sequenzha”, Campania Greco IGT “Due Chicchi”, Irpinia Aglianico DOC “Quattro Confini”, Taurasi DOCG “Vigna Quattro Confini”.

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