Wines

Villa Matilde

Cellole

Villa Mathilde

Winemaker: Fabio Gennarelli & Riccardo Cottarella

In the 1950s and early 1960s, a successful lawyer named Francesco Paolo Avallone set out on a unique mission, bringing back to life the ‘immortal Falerno’ sung by the great poets of ancient Rome. In synergy with the University of Naples, his research team found the best surviving vines and patiently grafted cuttings onto new rootstock, obtaining twenty original clones of Aglianico, Piedirosso and Falanghina. The estate’s first official vintage was 1976 and the wines are now styled by Riccardo Cottarella, the leading consulting oenologist in southern Italy.

Today, Salvatore and Maria Ida Avallone manage 70 hectares of vineyards across three distinct properties: San Castrese and Parco Nuovo in the province of Caserta; Rocca dei Leoni in the province of Benevento; and Altavilla near Avellino. The Rocca dei Leoni estate is fifty miles from the main property, located in Benevento’s inland area on the slopes of Mount Taburno. There are 30 hectares of vineyards in the communes of Torrecuso, Foglianise and Ponte, characterised by excellent hillside exposures, steep slopes, volcanic soil rich in phosphorus and potassium, and very old vines of Falanghina and Aglianco from different clones to those of the other properties.
Falanghina is elegant, fruity, and floral, with distinct aromas of grapefruit and peaches with delicate notes of rose and sage leaf. Well balanced, fresh and dry with a hint of almond on the finish, it makes a perfect match for seafood or, for the traditionalists, Mozzarella di Bufala.

Aglianico is brilliant red with purple reflections and a distinctive, intense bouquet of spices, blackberries, and ripe red fruits. Made without oak, the palate is full, rich and velvety with well-balanced tannins.

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Wines
2007 Falanghina IGT
2006 Aglianico IGT