Rocca del Principe

The Rocca del Principe winery is located in the green heart of the splendid land of Irpinia, which is one of Italy's most suitable regions for the production of great white and red wines. The Zarrella family has always supplied grapes to other producers in the area until 2004, when the winery was established. This business works with a passion for artisanship and with the aim of enhancing the extraordinary qualities of the ancient indigenous grape varieties which have been cultivated in this area for thousands of years, including the Fiano and Aglianico. The cool, continental climate, with significant temperature ranges between the days and nights, and the particularly suitable soils, offer grapes of the highest quality.

The Rocca del Principe winery is located in the town of Lapio, which is recognised as one of the best cru in the whole of the Irpinia region. The property covers a total area of about 10 hectares, 6 of which are dedicated to Fiano and 1.5 to Aglianico. The Fiano vineyards are in a splendid position, on the slopes of the Arianiello hill, which is the highest and most suitable area of Lapio and among the best in the denomination. Here the vine is located at an altitude of almost 600 metres, in an area that is well exposed and always very windy. The vineyards were planted between 1990 and 2014, and cover both sides of the hill, with north and west exposures. The Aglianico is grown in the Contrada Campore area, at an altitude of 500 metres, with a south-eastern exposure, on soils of clayey and calcareous marl, which are particularly ideal for red grapes. Only mechanical weeding is carried out between the rows and only organic fertilisers are applied in alternate years.

The wines of Rocca del Principe are the fruit of a highly prestigious territory. The Fiano wine is produced by blending grapes from vineyards that face north-east and west. The first vineyards are cultivated in a cooler climate, with strong temperature changes and on loose soils consisting of silt, sand, sandstone and lapilli. The wines of this area are both fine and elegant, savoury and vibrant. The vineyards on the western side, on the other hand, enjoy a warmer climate and thrive on soils richer in clay and limestone. These wines are aromatically richer and fruitier, with pleasant tropical hints. The result of this union is a complex Fiano with a great character. The wine is joined by the label dedicated to the Cru Tognano, which is a true excellence produced in a limited number of bottles, with vines taken from cuttings of centuries-old pre-flowering Fiano plants. The Taurasi, which expresses all the power and elegance of which Aglianico is known for, completes the range of Rocca del Principe wines.