i Capitani

The history of the farm I Capitani spans far more than a century, it’s beginning in the late nineteenth century and all through 1900 until the present day. A story of commitment and traditions in the hinterland of Campania specifically in Avellino province, in one of the best areas for wine making in Italy. The protagonists of this story are Cefalo family (nicknamed “I Capitani”) and the fertile hills located in Bosco Faiano district of Torre le Nocelle town in the heart of Irpinia.

It is a story of work and sacrifice but also of great achievements and successes. The strength and pride of a big family that betting on the job, she wanted to help make her fantastic area increasingly known and appreciated. A story of ups and downs that poetically embodies the vine’s life that every year after cutting of the winter pruning, renews its life and regenerates stronger and more lush than before.

Our vineyards are our greatest pride and for more than a century we have cultivated them with great passion to produce the best fruit for wines that can excite. Our recipe is simple, nothing complicated: an exceptionally suited terroir, the most suitable fields, the best exposed hills to the sun and wind, lots and lots of work and experience. Use of appropriate cultivation techniques, rationalization of management plant through the choice of integrated pest management, the limitation of nitrogen fertilizers, the clonal research and study of the best environmental conditions for cultivation are the main road to get fruit, and thus quality wines.

Although our vineyards are located in three areas of the DOCG to ensure that every vine to express themselves in their respective ground of election, the core of our vineyards is still Bosco Faiano vineyard, in district of Taurasi DOCG around our historical cellar. These wonderful vineyards are facing south south-east in the valley of Calore river, right opposite the town of Taurasi with a beautiful landscape, altitude between 310 and 420 m above sea level, calcareous clay soil, continuous ventilation and important temperature range. These vineyards, always present in these hills, are the main source of the fruits of our productions. The many years of continuous experimentation, have made them a real cru where year after year are improved agricultural systems and are calibrated for each row, ideal fertilizing, pruning, tying and thinning.

OUR WINE

 

Taurasi – DOCG – 2013
Bosco Faiano

The wine represents the real soul of the farm. The Taurasi “ Bosco Faiano” wine has excellent structure, produced from the harvest of selected grapes of the vintage Aglianico grapevines.

PLACE OF PRODUCTION: Hilly sunny lands dominating the valley of the river Calore.
Soil: clayish-calcareous
VARIETAL: Aglianico, Spur pruning cultivation. Density of about 4500 stocks per hectare. Aglianico grapevine has probable very old Greek origin (from word “ellenico”) Its ideal habitats are the clay-limestone soils of volcanic origin of medium altitude and extreme temperature changes daily. It has a compact cluster, cylindrical-conical, thick skin, and blue color almost-sour pulp rich in tannins. The wines produced are ruby color, with intense aromas that connect to production’s area with a lively astringency. Among the best red grapes of Italy is late harvest (late October – early November).
YIELD: 80 quintal per hectare with 70% wine return
VINIFICATION:
Tardive (late harvest): first week of November, hand-picked with a choice of the best grapes in slightly overripened; After picking the grapes off the stalks the must ferments on the skins for about 30 days in controlled temperature.
AGING:  In French-oak barriques for 18 – 24 months
BOTTLE AGING: Fining in bottle for an additional year, or longer
TASTING & PAIRING: Deep burgundy with sparkling shades of red, fragrance is ethereal, complex, with notes of licorice and vanilla against a refined background of berries and black cherries. Tertiary features are well highlighted, pleasantly balsamic with pink pepper and intense and complex exotic spices. Flavor is full bodied, dry, rounded, harmonic, with an intense and persistent finish, reminiscent of sour black cherries and berries. Complex, long-lasting and all embracing. Best served with red meat or game, spicy and pungent cheeses.
ALCOHOL CONTENT: 14.5%
SERVING TEMPERATURE: Open the bottle at least 30 minutes prior,
excellent at 18 − 20 °C (64.4 − 68 °F)

Download “Taurasi” 2013 Specification PDF

 

GUAGLIONE – 2016
Irpinia Aglianico – DOC

Guaglione wine, part of the i Capitani group, is a perfect example of Aglianico wines. This young and vigorous wine denotes a strong personality, its color is intense and highly fruity on the nose, very pleasant and tannic to taste. Straightforward and
sincere, as only the youth can be.

PLACE OF PRODUCTION: Hilly sunny lands in Irpinia. Clayish-calcareous soil
VARIETAL: Aglianico, Spur pruning cultivation. Density of about 4500 stocks per hectare. Aglianico grapevine has probable very old Greek origin (from word “ellenico”) Its ideal habitats are the clay-limestone soils of volcanic origin of medium altitude and extreme temperature changes daily. It has a compact cluster, cylindrical-conical, thick skin, and blue color almost-sour pulp rich in tannins. The wines produced are ruby color, with intense aromas that connect to production’s area with a lively astringency. First harvesting begins, mid to late September.
YIELD: 90 ql. per hectare in wine of 70%
VINIFICATION:
Destemming and crushing of the grapes. Pre-fermentation tecnological maceration at low or very high temperature. Alcoolic fermantation at controlled temperature for 7-8 days without peelings.
BOTTLE AGING: Aging in bottles for at least 3 months.
TASTING & PAIRING: Ruby red with a gleaming touch of cherry and violet reflex, fragrance is rich, persistent, with an unmistakable flair of red fruits and purple violets,accompanied by a touch of balsamic herbs and Mediterranean spices. Flavor is fresh, harmonic, lively and full-bodied, with a touch of mixed berries, cherry, vanilla. Soft tannins.
Best served with decisive and fragrant dishes, such as soups and spicy main courses. Excellent with red grilled meat and spicy cheese.
ALCOHOL CONTENT: 13%
SERVING TEMPERATURE: 16 − 17 °C. (61 – 63°F) Before a moderate oxygenation.

Download “Guaglione” 2016 Specification PDF

 

Fiano di Avellino – DOCG
GAUDIUM – 2017

Few vine stocks classify a territory in such a way as the Fiano classifies the territory of Avellino. The Fiano di Avellino DOCG Gaudium of i Capitani, a white wine with a powerful structure and a bursting personality faithfully reflects the characteristics of it’s territories, testifying to its calling to wine production.

PLACE OF PRODUCTION: Mid hill Irpinia territories in Lapio’s lands, east facing
VARIETAL: Fiano di Avellino with vertical trellis cultivations. Fiano is a white grape variety. Mature between late September and early October. The Fiano is also a grape that lends itself well to be vinified in wooden barrel and aged in bottle. This vine has delicate aromatic expression with hints of spices and dried fruits. It adapts to different climates with good results even if the wines obtained usually are very different one from the other.
YIELD: 80 quintal per hectare with 60% wine return
VINIFICATION:
Harvested at the start of October, pressed lightly, it undergoes a partial pre-fermentation cryo-maceration on their peelings and an alcoholic fermentation at controlled temperatures.
BOTTLE AGING: Aging in bottles for at least 3 months.
TASTING & PAIRING: A wine with gradations of straw yellow to bright green, fragrance is intense and persistent, with golden apple and pear smacks. Flavor is dry, soft, equilibrate, warm.
Ideal pairing with fish and soft cheeses.
ALCOHOL CONTENT: 13.0%
SERVING TEMPERATURE: 9 − 11 °C. (48 – 52°F) Before a moderate oxygenation.

Download “Fiano di Avellino” 2017 Specification PDF

 

CLARUM – 2017
Irpinia Falanghina – DOC

Obtained from the vinification of selected grapes of native Falanghina vine stock, the Clarum of i Capitani fully represents our territory with undeniably dynamic fragrances and tastes.

PLACE OF PRODUCTION: Mid hill Irpinia territories
VARIETAL: Falanghina. Guyot cultivation and traditional method. Falanghina is a semi-aromatic variety which is characterized by freshness and acidity with pleasant reminders of the smell of flowers of Mediterranean scrub. The vine matures in the last part of September. It’s crisp, sweet with great acidity and produces fresh and scented wines… wonderful “summer wines”.
YIELD: 90 quintal per hectare with 70% wine return
VINIFICATION:
Vintage harvest early October, soft grape crushing and
fermentation in controlled temperature
TASTING & PAIRING: Bright straw color, fragrance is lively and intense, with marked hints of fresh tropical fruits, floral notes, and aromatic herbs. Flavor is dry, soft, rich and fresh.
Ideal pairing with fish and shellfish, with pasta or rice. Excellent as an aperitif or to accompany flans and soft cheeses.
ALCOHOL CONTENT: 13.0%
SERVING TEMPERATURE: 9 − 11 °C. (48 – 52°F)

Download “Clarum” 2017 Specification PDF