Montevetrano

Montevetrano is the celebrated estate of Silvia Imparato in San Cipriano Picentino, just a few kilometres from Salerno in Campania, whose eponymous wine helped establish the reputation of the region’s finest modern reds. The story began in 1983, when Imparato and the young oenologist Riccardo Cotarella began experimenting with Cabernet Sauvignon and Aglianico on her family property; the first vintage of Montevetrano was produced in 1991 and commercially released in 1993. Today, the estate covers 26 hectares within the Monti Picentini Regional Park, with around five hectares under vine on a hillside at approximately 100 metres above sea level, surrounded by oak, chestnut, hazelnut, citrus and olive trees. The vineyards are planted principally to Cabernet Sauvignon, Aglianico and Merlot, with the wine bottled at the estate from its own grapes to maintain control over the entire production. Early vintages established a distinctive Bordeaux-influenced style rooted in southern Italian terroir, while the increasing prominence of Aglianico has brought a greater sense of linearity and regional identity to more recent releases. The vineyards benefit from the influence of the nearby sea and a mild climate, while the surrounding Picentini Mountains shelter the vines. Careful vineyard management, extended maceration and ageing in French oak produce a wine of notable complexity, depth and persistence, balancing the richness of Cabernet and Merlot with Aglianico’s structure, freshness and savoury character. Montevetrano remains one of Campania’s most distinctive fine wines, combining international grape varieties with the unique character of Salerno and the Picentini hills.