Tenuta Ponte

Campania - Italy

The Winery

Located in the lush, green heart of Irpinia, Tenuta Ponte touches upon all three of the region’s main DOCGs - Greco di Tufo, Fiano di Avellino, and Taurasi - giving winemakers Alessandro and Graziano di Stasio full access to Campania’s array of classical wines. From an outsider’s point of view, it’s fair to say this 25-hectare estate is edenic all year round: the days are languid and warm, the nights cool, and the air fragrant with citrus and earth spice. Vines are planted at an average of 450 meters on the right side of the Calore River valley, and the whole region benefits from a southern Mediterranean climate with four distinct seasons. A blend of volcanic and clay soils lend all the wines poise, along with their telltale streaks of minerality (whites) and dusty black peppercorn (Aglianico). Focusing on small batches of concentrated wine, Alessandro and Graziano are charming country gents but have a world-class sense of purpose when it comes to their wine… white or red, everything they craft possesses elevated aromatics, fantastic viscosity, and a well-woven palate with deep integration. As for the name of the estate itself, “Ponte” means bridge in Italian, and the property is named after the 2000-year-old Roman arc you cross to get to their vines... Built during the Roman Imperial Age, the bridge was locally known as the "ponte dei diavoli" or "devils bridge". Folktales dictate that "demons" built the bridge to use it as a meeting place on dark and stormy nights... One certainly gets the sense that those first Romans on the scene made a distinct impression!

Enologist
Alessandro Di Stasio
Grapes Grown by Winery
Algianico, Coda di Volpe, Falanghina, Greco,
Vineyard Size
9.0 ha
Winemaker
Alessandro & Graziano Di Stasio
Winemaker Biography
In the town of Luogosano, Graziano Di Stasio and his uncle, Alessandro concentrate their efforts on the classic wines of Campania, including the DOCGs of Greco di Tufo, Fiano di Avellino and, of course, Taurasi. Wait until you try them! All their wines display extreme typicity, viscosity, and freshness at once!
Winemaker Generation
2nd
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Falanghina Campania IGP

Grown in the visually arresting mountains of central Irpinia, this older vine Falanghina is a serious white with backbone, typicity, and complexity for days. The nose offers an array of meyer lemon, dried blood orange peel, sweet plaintain, and citrus blossom... giving rise to a lush, mineral-driven mid-palate that coats the mouth with warm lemon oil. Despite its largesse, this quintessential white remains unoaked and refreshing - the perfect companion to a vibrant meal!

Color
Light golden yellow with green highlights
Nose
Warm meyer lemon, blood orange zest, sweet plantain and citrus blossom
Palate
Fantastic weight and minerality - lush mouthfeel, but with well-defined edges
Finish
Long and clean
Vineyard Location
Beneventano IGT, Campania
Vineyard Size
3 ha
Varietals List
100% Falanghina
Farming Practices
Non-certified organic; grapes picked by hand; dry-farmed
Elevation
300-350 m
Soils
White and yellow tufo, with large volcanic deposits
Maturation Summary
In Steel for 1 months and Bottled for 12 months
In Steel
1 months
Alcohol
14.0 %
Acidity
6.5 g/liter
Residual Sugar
1 g/liter
Annual Production
12,000 bottles

Greco di Tufo DOCG

Grown in the Valle del Sabato (Tufo) in central Irpinia, this gorgeous, small batch Greco delivers on all fronts: expressive aromatics, fantastic viscosity, and (thanks to the clay-laden soil, which leads to slow ripening), a vein of minerality from stem to stern. Integrated and gentile, the palate boasts rich lemon curd, green apple and a pleasing, well-rounded finish. In sum, a pitch perfect DOCG from ancient Campania!

Color
Deep straw yellow
Nose
Warm citrus, white flowers, and dusty riverstone
Palate
Fantastic weight and well integrated, with lemon curd and green apple
Finish
Long and well-rounded
Vineyard Location
Greco di Tufo DOCG, Campania
Vineyard Size
2 ha
Varietals List
85% Greco di Tufo
15% Coda di Volpe
Farming Practices
Non-certified organic; grapes picked by hand; dry-farmed
Elevation
350-400 m
Soils
White and yellow tufo, with large volcanic deposits.
Maturation Summary
In Steel for 1 months and Bottled for 12 months
In Steel
1 months
Alcohol
14.0 %
Acidity
6.6 g/liter
Residual Sugar
1 g/liter
Annual Production
12,000 bottles

Taurasi DOCG

The product of lush, warm, Campanian days and cool, tempered evenings, this monument to Aglianico delivers with its formidable tannic structure, volcanic typicity, and old vine integration. A layer of Piedirosso (another ancient, black-skinned, local variety permitted in Taurasi) helps to soften the earthy mid-palate and adds a hint of bramble. Artisanal low yields add to this wine's already fantastic concentration. Just 900 six-packs made.

Color
Dark ruby
Nose
Dusty plum, wild berries, and coarse black pepper
Palate
Dark plum, cherry skin, and volcanic spice wrapped in a bold tannic structure
Finish
Long, integrated, and slightly dry
Vineyard Location
Taurasi DOCG, Campania
Vineyard Size
3 ha
Varietals List
90% Aglianico
10% Piedirosso
Farming Practices
Non-certified organic; grapes picked by hand; dry-farmed; indigenous yeasts
Elevation
450-500 m
Soils
Clay and volcanic mix
Maturation Summary
In Slovenian barrels for 36 months and bottled for 6 months
Alcohol
14.5 %
Acidity
5.3 g/liter
Residual Sugar
1 g/liter
Annual Production
5,500 bottles