Campania
Italy
Italy wine regions
About Campania
The ancient Greeks called this region Oenotria, the land of wine. Campania's volcanic soils, particularly around Mount Vesuvius and in Irpinia, produce some of southern Italy's most distinctive wines. Aglianico, grown in the inland hills of Taurasi, is often called the 'Barolo of the south' for its deep color, firm tannins, and remarkable aging potential. The white grapes Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo produce complex, mineral whites with unusual depth and longevity for southern Italian whites. Falanghina, more widely planted, makes fresh, floral wines perfect for the region's seafood. The combination of ancient grape varieties and volcanic terroir gives Campania wines a character that is genuinely unique.
-3–1573 m
Elevation range
redrosésparklingwhite
Wine styles
4 DOCGs
Avg. slope 10.3°
13 DOCs
Avg. slope 8.9°
Italy wine regions
Vintage Ratings
Rating:
95+
90-94
85-89
80-84
<80
PeakReadyHold
Outstanding Campania Vintages
The best recent vintages rated excellent or exceptional.
Red
White
DOC & DOCG
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Terroir & Character
Climate
drymediterranean
Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. Coastal breezes moderate temperatures while volcanic soils retain heat, creating ideal conditions for both powerful reds and aromatic whites with excellent acidity.
Terroir
volcanic soilsmineral-richclaylimestone
Predominantly volcanic soils rich in pumice, ash, and minerals from Mount Vesuvius and other ancient volcanoes. The terrain varies from coastal plains to steep hillside vineyards up to 700 meters elevation, with limestone and clay deposits adding complexity to the mineral-driven character of the wines.
Typical Aromas
white peachMediterranean herbsvolcanic mineralityalmond blossomsea saltlemon zest
Explore the aroma wheelClassification System
Campania’s ancient grape varieties (Aglianico, Fiano, Greco) produce some of southern Italy’s most age-worthy wines, led by Taurasi.
DOCG
Taurasi, Fiano di Avellino, Greco di Tufo, Aglianico del Taburno
DOC
Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio, Falerno del Massico, Irpinia, Cilento
IGT
Campania IGT, Paestum
Notable Producers
MastroberardinoHistoric estate, Taurasi benchmark
Feudi di San GregorioModern Irpinia, Aglianico and Fiano
Terredora di PaoloExpressive Fiano di Avellino
PietracupaSmall-production Greco and Fiano
MontevetranoCampania's cult Cabernet-Aglianico blend
Marisa CuomoAmalfi Coast terraces, Furore
Cantine dell'AngeloPure, mineral Greco di Tufo
QuintodecimoSingle-vineyard Irpinia
Grapes of Campania
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Campania wine special?▼
Campania has been making wine since ancient Greek times - they called it Oenotria, literally 'the land of wine.' What really sets it apart is the volcanic soils around Mount Vesuvius and in Irpinia, which give the wines incredible minerality and complexity. The region's star grape Aglianico produces wines so structured and age-worthy that Taurasi is often called the 'Barolo of the south.'
What are the best Campania vintages?▼
Recent years have been really strong - 2021 and 2022 both earned 4/5 ratings for both reds and whites. 2021 was particularly excellent for mineral-driven whites with vibrant acidity, while the reds showed beautiful balance with fresh acidity lifting the dense Aglianico fruit. 2020 was also very good, especially for Fiano and Greco with lively fruit and structure.
What grapes are grown in Campania?▼
The two stars are Aglianico for reds and Fiano for whites. Aglianico is the noble red grape that makes the powerful, age-worthy Taurasi wines in the inland hills. Fiano produces some of southern Italy's most elegant white wines, and you'll also find Greco, another excellent indigenous white variety that thrives in the volcanic soils.
Is 2022 a good year for Campania?▼
Yes, 2022 was very good across the board, earning 4/5 ratings for both reds and whites. The Taurasi reds show ripe fruit that nicely balances Aglianico's naturally firm tannins, while the whites have that classic combination of ripe fruit with underlying mineral tension. It's a vintage that should drink well and age gracefully.
When should I drink Campania 2022?▼
The whites from 2022 are drinking beautifully now and over the next 5-7 years - they have that lovely ripe fruit with mineral backbone. For the Taurasi reds, while they're approachable now thanks to the ripe fruit, Aglianico really rewards patience - give them at least 5-8 years to fully develop, and the best ones will age for 15-20 years.
What food pairs well with Campania wines?▼
These wines are made for southern Italian cuisine - think rich tomato-based dishes, grilled meats, and aged cheeses. Taurasi Aglianico is perfect with braised lamb, wild boar, or aged Pecorino, while Fiano pairs beautifully with seafood, particularly the local Campanian dishes with shellfish and white fish. The mineral-driven whites also work great with buffalo mozzarella from the region.
How does Campania compare to other major wine regions?▼
Campania punches above its weight - it's producing some of Italy's most exciting wines but still flies under the radar compared to Tuscany or Piedmont. The volcanic soils give it a unique character you won't find elsewhere, and Aglianico rivals Nebbiolo for complexity and aging potential. It offers incredible value since it hasn't reached the price levels of more famous Italian regions yet.
What are the best wineries in Campania?▼
Mastroberardino is the historic benchmark for Taurasi and Campanian wines. Feudi di San Gregorio modernized the region with polished Aglianico and Fiano. For small-production excellence, Pietracupa makes stunning Greco and Fiano, while Montevetrano produces Campania's cult wine. Marisa Cuomo crafts remarkable wines on the terraced Amalfi Coast, and Quintodecimo focuses on single-vineyard expressions from Irpinia.
Map data: vineyards.com, manually traced and edited