We like to think that the success of the Vulture wines depends largely on the tenacity and talent of the Paternoster family, which for over a century, believed and invested in the Aglianico variety.
Anselmo, the founder, sold the family's first bottle of Aglianico in 1925, marking the beginning of a critically-acclaimed production, now in its third generation.
But it was the founder's son, Pino, who elevated the art of viticulture and winemaking to plant the first seeds of its modern-day success. Today, his nephew Fabio Mecca gives continuity to the enological vision.
"Even today, I remain rooted in Paternoster: it lies at the heart of my ambitions and mission. This is the place that runs through my veins for as long as I can remember. It gave me the chance to become who I am today. Since I was very young, I spent my free time in the vineyards and the winery. The old winery was below my grandparent's home. Especially during the harvest, I'd run to their house for a quick lunch after school, and then I was off to help with the harvest and the winemaking. Today, I consult, but my mission is to continue the family project that began with my great-grandfather over a century ago."
Fabio Mecca, Paternoster and Masseria Surani Oenologist
History
The founder, Anselmo Paternoster (1898), was a pioneer of Italian viticulture, and a decorated war hero who is still honored today on the winery's flagship label, Don Anselmo.
However, it was his charismatic son, Pino, who would shape the future of the winery. He may have been the first studied enologist in Basilicata and wasted no time bringing innovations, like wood aging.
The founder, Anselmo Paternoster (1898), was a pioneer of Italian viticulture, and a decorated war hero who is still honored today on the winery's flagship label, Don Anselmo.
However, it was his charismatic son, Pino, who would shape the future of the winery. He may have been the first studied enologist in Basilicata and wasted no time bringing innovations, like wood aging.
"Since entering as a majority stakeholder in 2016, our family has, and will continue to maintain the spirit and legacy of the brand. We bring our commercial savvy to consolidate the distribution and recognition of Paternoster wines. In this partnership, we share the Paternoster commitment to sustainability, and the Vulture, one of Italy's great winemaking regions."
Pierangelo Tommasi, Tommasi Family Estates General Manager
Vineyards
The Paternoster vineyards are organic and rise to altitudes of 643 meters. The owned property covers an area of 20 hectares fractioned among parcels in the "contrade" of the Barile township.
Among them are some of the most prized cru vineyards, including Rotondo, Macarico, Pian di Carro and Gelosia. Historically, the family established several valuable relationships with highly-experienced local growers owning prime land, in and around Barile, where we continue to source classic Aglianico and other varieties like Falanghina.
The soils are entirely of volcanic origin with a complex and varied geology that cannot be summed up in a single expression. A savory "minerality" and high acidity due to a natural presence of tartaric acid are common traits found in the wines from Barile's potassium rich soils.
Vulture Microclimate
Under the brooding silhouette of Monte Vulture in northern Basilicata, the atmosphere is both dreamy and restless, with a certain tension between modern industriousness and the seasonal rhythm of rural agriculture. The boundaries of the denomination are drawn by the flow of a volcanic eruption over 130 million years ago. Five rivers weave through green hills that reach altitudes of over 600 meters. This inland region is cooled by the Adriatic sea to the east and the Tyrrhenian sea to the west. The diurnal range is wide thanks to the cool evening breezes from Monte Vulture.
The porous volcanic soil holds the winter rainfall and serves as a reserve for the vineyards throughout Basilicata's hot summers. These are the ideal conditions to achieve a gradual and full ripening of the late-harvest Aglianico. It is not uncommon to see the Aglianico harvest begin as late as November, and also gives an idea of just how challenging it can be to make achieve the ripening needed for quality Aglianico wines.
