Falanghina del Sannio 2023, AIA dei Colombi

Falanghina is an ancient white varietal grown in the Campania region surrounding and east of Naples. Traditionally this white wine has been drunk with the exceptional seafood of the area. Like any “newfound” ancient grape, there are many modern versions that tilt towards the international style of overripe and excessively heavy wines. That is not the case here.

The nose bursts open with a medley of ripe citrus—think Amalfi lemons and tangy tangerine—woven with delicate white florals, mango skin, and a breezy hint of sea spray. On the palate, it’s a lively dance of juicy pear, golden apple, and a flirtatious touch of pineapple, all wrapped in a crisp, mouthwatering acidity that keeps each sip as refreshing as a dip in the Tyrrhenian Sea. There’s a subtle saline minerality that lingers, grounding the wine with a touch of terroir-driven elegance, while a hint of almond and honeydew melon rounds out the finish.  

Perfect for sipping on a sun-dappled terrace with a plate of fresh burrata and basil, or alongside a briny seafood pasta, this wine is pure Mediterranean joy in a glass.

About the Winery

Situated in a picturesque hillside landscape shaped by vineyards, Aia dei Colombi was founded in 2002, continuing a long-standing rural tradition and reflecting the Pascale family’s deep-rooted passion for winemaking.

The winery’s mission is to combine authenticity and quality, highlighting the unique characteristics of the Sannio Beneventano region, an area renowned for its exceptional viticultural potential.

The vineyards are cultivated with meticulous care and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, recognizing that nature plays a fundamental role in defining the identity of the wines. Preserving the ecosystem is essential to maintaining their distinctive character over time.

In the winery, only grapes from the estate’s own vineyards are processed, allowing for complete control over every stage of production. Careful selection from each vineyard contributes to creating wines with a distinctive and unmistakable identity.

The estate spans 10 hectares across the municipalities of Guardia Sanframondi and Castelvenere, with 8 hectares dedicated to vineyards. All vineyards fall within the DOC Sannio and Falanghina del Sannio (Guardia Sanframondi subzone) designation. They are cultivated using the Guyot training system, with a planting density of approximately 3,000 vines per hectare.

The primary grape varieties grown are Aglianico for red wines and Falanghina for whites, complemented by small plots of Sangiovese, Fiano, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. With a firm belief that high-quality wine begins in the vineyard, great care is dedicated to vine cultivation, always seeking the best practices while maintaining a careful balance with the surrounding environment.

To ensure full control over the production process, only grapes from the estate’s vineyards are used. The adoption of advanced winemaking technology, combined with meticulous quality control throughout the vinification process, helps preserve the full potential of the grapes.

In the cellar, the winemaking process includes gentle pressing, temperature-controlled fermentation, the use of stainless steel tanks (316-grade), aging in French oak barrels, precision filtering and stabilization, and automated bottling in an oxygen-free environment. These techniques are carefully adapted to meet the specific needs of each wine, ensuring the highest quality in every bottle.