Adelina Molettieri Don Michele Aglianico 2021

Adelina Molettieri is a family-run organic winery located in Contrada Chianzano on the hills above Montemarano, in Campania's Irpinia region. The estate traces its roots to 1900, when the family first established vineyards on this site. Adelina Molettieri herself replanted the historic family plots, grafting Aglianico vines that had survived phylloxera intact—a testament to the resilience of these centenarian rootstocks.

Today the estate operates 4 hectares of certified organic vineyards, producing approximately 10,000 bottles annually. The De Lisio brothers, Marco and his siblings, now handle winemaking, having learned natural vinification techniques from their neighbors at Cantina Giardino, one of Irpinia's pioneering natural wine estates. This mentorship shaped the estate's commitment to zero-zero winemaking—no additives, indigenous yeast fermentation, and minimal sulfur only at bottling.

The winery preserves traditional practices that distinguish Irpinian viticulture. Small parcels are still trained using tennecchia, the ancient Celtic vine-training method with low bush vines and wooden supports, maintaining a living connection to pre-modern agriculture. This labor-intensive approach limits yields but concentrates flavor and reflects the family's dedication to heritage.

The Don Michele cuvée exemplifies the estate's philosophy: extended skin maceration (three weeks) extracts color and structure from Aglianico's thick skins, while stainless steel aging preserves freshness and fruit purity. The result contrasts with heavily oaked, extracted Aglianicos, offering instead a drinkable, immediate expression of the grape's varietal character—cherry fruit, spice, and supple tannins rather than aggressive astringency.

Adelina Molettieri also produces a rosato from Aglianico and the Cesinè Irpinia Aglianico DOC from 70-year-old vines, both following the same natural winemaking principles. The wines demonstrate that Campanian Aglianico need not require decades of cellaring to show its appeal.

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Irpinia occupies the mountainous interior of Campania in southern Italy, centered around the province of Avellino in the foothills of the Apennine Mountains. This inland region differs markedly from the coastal zones near Naples, with a continental rather than Mediterranean climate: harsh winters, significant diurnal temperature variation, and harvest extending into November.

The terroir combines high altitude—vineyards often sit between 400 and 600 meters above sea level—with volcanic and calcareous-clay soils rich in mineral content. These conditions create an ideal environment for late-ripening varieties, particularly Aglianico, which develops the high acidity, firm tannins, and concentrated flavors that define the region's finest wines.

Irpinia gained DOC status in 2005 and encompasses three prestigious DOCG appellations: Taurasi (red, from Aglianico), Fiano di Avellino (white), and Greco di Tufo (white). Montemarano, where Adelina Molettieri is located, ranks among the most highly regarded communes for Aglianico production within the Taurasi zone. The area's elevation and soil composition contribute to wines of notable structure and aging potential.

Traditional viticulture persists throughout Irpinia. Some estates maintain the ancient tennecchia vine-training system, a technique the Celts brought to southern Italy, characterized by low bush vines supported by wooden stakes. This method is well-suited to the region's steep slopes and helps protect grapes from wind damage.

The natural wine movement has found fertile ground in Irpinia, with producers like Cantina Giardino and Adelina Molettieri championing indigenous varieties through minimal-intervention practices. These winemakers demonstrate that Aglianico can express purity and approachability alongside its inherent power.

Explore Irpinia and other Campanian wines in the Italian natural wine collection and browse the red natural wine selection at Primal Wine.