Irpinia Wine Region

Irpinia is located in Campania, Italy, and is the birthplace of famous southern wines such as Taurasi, Greco di Tufo, and Fiano di Avellino. 

Irpinia is the old name for the areas in the Avellino province. A lush, untamed place where an unspoiled environment, old layers of history, and culture have been maintained, an area not tainted by tourists, yet generous with hospitality, traditional foods, and wines with a distinct character. 

Irpinia’s refinement and success are a result of unique methods, exquisite grapes, and an ideal climate. These elements produce a style of wine found nowhere else in Italy, or the world for that matter. 

We invite you to dive into the distinctive wines that make Irpinia a favorite for wine drinkers worldwide. A trip to Irpinia is a voyage through one of Italy's most beautiful regions, with classic Italian traits, in an area rich in natural, archaeological, and cultural possibilities.

Tour our site to discover what Wineries in Irpinia have to offer and book a wine experience with us today.

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Where is the Irpinia Wine Region?

Irpinia DOC is a wine region in southern Italy in the central-eastern part of Campania, close to the current province of Avellino.

Unique Terroir of Irpinia Appellation

The fame of the Irpinia wine region is due to the ideal environment for viticulture and for the high-quality grapes that are grown there. This is made possible by the combination of high altitude and location on slopes with good exposure, volcanic and calcareous-clay soils, long summer seasons, and day-night temperature fluctuations. 

The climatic conditions, similar to those of French Alsace, with sunny summers, harsh winters, good air circulation, and strong temperature variations, contribute to late harvests and grapes with strong aromatic components.

The area cultivated with vines can be divided into two regions: One bordering the Calore river, home of Aglianico; the other on the hills crossed by the Sabato river, more suitable for white vines.

Irpinia is the cradle of renowned wine productions such as the DOCG Taurasi, obtained from Aglianico grapes; the DOCG Fiano di Avellino obtained from the homonymous vine, and the DOCG Greco di Tufo.

History of Irpinia Wine Region

The toponym "Irpinia" was formed during the Renaissance to refer to the territory populated by the ancient Irpini (Hirpini), a Samnite tribe that dwelt along the Apennines in Campania in pre-Roman times. 

Irpinia was granted the DOC in 2005 and is home to the globally recognized DOCG wines Greco di Tufo, Taurasi, and Fiano di Avellino. With these wines, Irpinia has performed an important role in the development of southern Italy's viticultural legacy, particularly in Campania. It's no surprise that the Avellino-Rocchetta Sant'Antonio railway line has been christened the Wine Train. Iprinia, like other notable wine-growing locations in Campania, was rediscovered by renowned oenologist Antonio Mastroberardino. Moderna demonstrated that it is possible to make high-quality wines by combining traditional processes with contemporary technology. Irpinia's popularity stems from its superb viticultural setting as well as the high quality grapes harvested there.

What is Irpinia Wine?

Irpinia is famous for its ancient Greco and Fiano white grape varietals, as well as its red Aglianico wines. These vines produce wines for three DOCGs as well as DOC. Coda di Volpe, Falanghina, Piedirosso, and Sciascinoso are further Irpinian winemaking jewels (Olivella). The area's vineyards are currently at their top levels of quality and pleasantness, due to new and enhanced winemaking processes.

There are many different types of Irpinia DOC wines (White, Red, Rose, Novello, Passito, Liqueur, Spumante, Aglianico, Coda Di Volpe, Falanghina, Fiano, Greco, Piedirosso, Sciascinoso), as well as the indication of the subzone Campi Taurasini, which is a particularly intense and full-bodied red wine made with at least 85% Aglianico.

Taurasi DOCG has a deep ruby color that tends to garnet with aging and has a powerful aroma evocative of red fruit jam and spices, a dry and full flavor with a lasting aftertaste, structured and well balanced between dry notes and softness. Excellent for first courses with meat sauce, game in the pan, red meat roasts, aged hard cheeses, and typically extremely good second courses, especially the Riserva, as well as meditation. 

The Fiano di Avellino DOCG, with its fresh and harmonious flavor, is one of the few Italian whites that can resist age, which dulls the powerful fruity notes (apple, banana) while enhancing the floral smells (linden, rose, mint) and dried fruit.It goes well with vermicelli with anchovies, mollusks, fish dishes, and vegetable casseroles as an aperitif and with seafood. 

Greco di Tufo DOCG gets its straw yellow color from the high level of oxidized phenolic compounds in the grapes; the bouquet is of ripe white fruit and citrus fruits with a mineral note; the taste is gentle, lasting, and rich; it is a wine for fish (baked, fried, or grilled) and shellfish. The sparkling wine has a distinct and delicious odor, with faint yeast undertones, and is ideal as an aperitif or with cold appetizers.

Food to Pair with Irpinia Wine

Spaghetti alle vongole

Spaghetti alle vongole is a typical Neapolitan meal with only two basic ingredients: vongole clams and pasta. It's quick and easy to make, but it packs a significant taste punch. However, there is some disagreement over the secondary components, particularly the tomatoes. 

Purists appreciate the original meal, known as the bianco version, which is cooked without tomatoes, while others like a version with crushed tomatoes or a variant with a tomato sauce, called as spaghetti alle vongole con la salsa di pomodoro.

The inclusion or removal of peperoncino and pepper in the meal raises similar concerns. Whatever the case may be, everyone agrees that the pasta should be cooked al dente. Although the dish is greatest in the summer, when all of the ingredients are at their freshest, it is also an important part of the traditional Neapolitan Christmas Eve supper, known as Cena della vigilia di Natale. It is a good match for white Irpinian fiano or falanghina.

Sugo alla Genovese

Sugo alla Genovese is a typical Italian sauce that, despite its name, is from Naples, although it was most likely carried over from Genoa by Genovese immigrants during the Renaissance period. The sauce is made by sautéing deal or beef in olive oil with a huge number of onions, carrots, and celery for an extended period of time, generally 2 to 10 hours. 

To enhance the tastes of the sauce, white wine or stock are sometimes added. Sugo alla Genovese is eaten either as is or with the meat served separately from the sauce. It's usually served over pasta, such as ziti or rigatoni, and topped with tomatoes and sprinkled with grated pecorino.

Gnocchi alla Sorrentina

This simple yet tasty meal is from Campania, specifically the picturesque coastal hamlet of Sorrento, hence the name. Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, also known as strangolapreti alla Sorrentina in the local dialect, are soft small potato pillows coated in a thick, velvety, basil-flavored tomato and mozzarella sauce. 

The wonderful Sorrento-style gnocchi creates a fantastic summer dinner when served with homemade gnocchi, mozzarella di bufala, and the incredibly aromatic homemade sauce made preferably with fresh tomatoes in season.

What to See Nearby Irpinia? Places to Discover in Irpinia

Avellino

Avellino, a town of just over 56,000 inhabitants, lies in the valley of the Valle del Sabato, in the heart of Irpen, a unique area of the Campania region that enchants visitors with magnificent landscapes, gastronomic delights and the hospitality of the locals.

To visit the region of Irpinia and Avellino, the "heart" of Campania, means to travel through one of the most beautiful and picturesque areas in all of Italy, preserving many historical and cultural evidences of the region, such as monuments, castles and churches, chaotically scattered among nature reserves. Avellino is the capital of Irpinia and the center of a whole system of nature reserves - Partenio Park, Parco dei Monti Picentini, Pizzo Alvano Vallo Lauro Park are located here.

Calitri 

Calitri is a town in the province of Avellino in the Campania region, from which you can easily reach anywhere in southern Italy. Locals call it "Positano Irpinia", referring to the luxurious villas located on the Amalfi Riviera, many sunny days a year and the incredible beauty of the scenery.

The entire territory of Irpinia is literally dotted with castles and aristocratic palazzi, which indicate that in the past this place played a huge role in the life of southern Italy. In addition, Patience and the surrounding area of Culture can boast of their landscapes, which have not yet been spoiled by mass tourism. Arriving here, guests plunge into the atmosphere of the past with its antique villas hidden in thickets of bushes, ruins of castles on the hills, ancient cathedrals. And the Ofanto River flowing here splits into many tributaries, streams and rivulets, which greatly enliven the landscape. Small waterfalls in numerous gorges also attract the attention of tourists.

Montemarano

Montemarano is another gorgeous Irpinia town with an ancient history, and it is famed for its unique variation of the tarantella - a dance performed to bagpipes, tambourine, finger clicks, and male singing. There may be differences in the contemporary edition. It is worthwhile to see the Basilica Superiore di Assisi, which has Giotto's paintings depicting St. Francis' life, as well as the Church of St. Mary the Intercessor (Cathedral).

Frequently Asked Questions About Irpinia DOC