Wine has been made on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius for millennia. The first evidence of grape cultivation dates to the fifth century B.C. The Vesuvio DOC, established in 1983, includes many family-run wineries including Cantina del Vesuvio, founded in 1930 by the Russo family. The winery sits on the slopes of Vesuvius with views of the Gulf of Naples and is only a few kilometers from the archaeological site of Pompeii.
It’s a stunning setting for tasting Cantina del Vesuvio’s wines made from native grapes like Caprettone, Piedirosso, Coda di Vopa and Aglianico as well as the historic Lacryma Christi DOC wines. The pourous volcanic soils formed by years of lava flows are rich in minerals, ash and lapilli. Cantina de Vesuvio practices organic farming without irrigation. Older plantings are on the Pergola trellising system, which allows for harvesting by hand from underneath. Newer vines are planted on the Guyot system, shorter to the ground and the preferred system for much of modern plantings, globally.
The Russo family offers cooking classes, tastings and lunches featuring dishes made with local ingredients. A typical lunch may include an appetizer of local salami and cheeses including provolone and salted ricotta, roasted eggplant, and bruschetta with Piennolo tomatoes; a first course pasta dish using durum wheat spaghetti from Torre Annunziata with Piennolo cherry tomatoes and basil. Dessert will be a Neapolitan pastiera made with ricotta, grano cotto (cooked wheat) and candied fruit and some Passito to taste.
We tasted through their wines paired with dishes. We enjoyed one condiment served so much, the excellent red wine vinegar syrup, Donna Ester, which is made at Cantina del Vesuvio using Lacryma Christi wine, we brought a bottle home with us. Cantina del Vesuvio’s stunning setting and impressive hospitality program has attracted legions of fans, many of whom are Americans. The winery offers direct shipping to its U.S. customers and keeps a warehouse stateside to fulfill orders placed at the winery. www.cantinadelvesuvio.it
What we tasted
Caprifesca Spumante Rose. 100% Sparkling Aglianico made in the charmat method. This was a delightful spumante that was out welcome aperitif when we arrived.
Lacryma Christi Rosso DOC 2023. 100% Pedirosso. 12.5% ABV. Aged six months in steel and six months bottle. Fuity and floral with notes of plum, nut and basil. A lighter style red, perfect for lunch or summer meals.
Lacryma Christi Superiore DOC 2023. 100% Pedirosso. 13.5% ABV. Aged one year in large oak barrel, six months in bottle (using selected grapes from higher elevation vineyard). Dark, plum, blueberry, balsamic notes. Lots of salinity and complexity as a “superiore” wine usually shows.
Lacryma Cristi 2024 Rosato DOC. 100% Pedirosso, 6 months steel, 6 months in bottle prior to release. A very dry rose 12.5% ABV.
Lacryma Christi Rosso Riserva DOC 2021. Pedirosso 80%, Aglianico 20%. Aged in oak for 24 months, 12 months in bottle. 14% ABV. Dark blue fruit, Mediterranean herbs, basil. Pair with meat dishes or anything that calls for a full-bodied red.
Passito Bianco Pompeiano IGP 2022 14% (400 bottles per year). Blend of Caprettone and a small amount of Falanghina, air dried and then vinified in stainless steel. Very floral with strong notes of apricot and dried figs.
Our visit was part of Campania Stories 2025, an annual program that spotlights the wine appellations of this region of southern Italy. The 2025 edition of Campania Stories took place May 18 to 21. This year the program was based at Villa Signorini in Ercolano with a welcome reception at the Palazzo Mediceo in Ottaviano.
The 2025 editi0n of Campania Stories featured a special presentation by the Consorzio for the Protection of Vesuvius wines that included tastings of DOP wines and agricultural foods products products from this area and a guided hike to “Gran Cono del Vesuvio” where we saw a major crater. Attending journalists were able to taste the new releases from over 90 wineries throughout Campania and also visit producers in different appellations.
The main organizers of Campania Stories include Miriade & Partners in collaboration with AIS Campania , with the support of the Campania Region and co-financed under the PN FEAMPA 2021-2027 . Partners of the 2025 edition are the Consorzio Tutela Vini Vesuvio , Assoenologi Campania , Palazzo Mediceo (Ottaviano), Villa Signorini (Ercolano), Hotel Sakura (Torre del Greco), Viaggi Di Maio the Campania Chestnut and Marrone District , Lunadimiele.it , Che Pasticcio and Azzurra Comunicazione .
This was the third time we have attended Campania Stories and find this program to be well-organized and informative.