Somma-Vesuvio
volcanic complex
The Somma-Vesuvio volcanic complex is certainly one of the most well-known and studied volcanoes in the world, both for the violence of its eruptions and for the volcanic products associated with them.
Somma-Vesuvio is a Quaternary volcanic center; Vesuvius is a stratovolcano formed by the layering of materials and lava flows. The oldest part is represented by the Somma stratovolcano, while the most recent is the Gran Cono of Vesuvius.
Monte Somma represents what remains of an ancient volcanic cone over 2,000 meters high. The violent eruption of 79 AD that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum caused the collapse of one side of the volcano.
A further collapse of the northeastern sector of the volcanic edifice occurred following the eruption of 472 AD. In medieval times, the Gran Cono of Vesuvius gradually formed within the Somma caldera. Monte Somma currently reaches an elevation of 1,130 meters, while the Vesuvius cone is slightly higher (1,282 m a.s.l.).
A semicircular depression, called Valle del Gigante, which represents part of the ancient caldera, separates Vesuvius from Somma.
Volcanic Soil
The unmistakable uniqueness of our wines is due to the exceptional volcanic soil, which varies depending on the stratification resulting from the different eruptions.
Each eruptive event deposited various minerals on our land, such as potassium, iron, phosphorus, and silica, which, together with black sand and lapilli, contributed to creating highly permeable soil—extremely favorable for grape cultivation and unfavorable for the survival of harmful agents like phylloxera—allowing us to grow our vines on their own roots.
The grapes
The grapes we cultivate have remained faithful to the centuries-old tradition, foregoing post-phylloxera replanting with international varieties. We cultivate only local grape varieties.
Piedirosso
One of the historic grape varieties of Somma-Vesuvio
It is one of the historic grape varieties of Somma-Vesuvio, which 19th-century scholars, from Nicola Onorati to Frojo and Arcuri, always called palombina or per’ e palummo. Its name comes from the red color of the grape stalks, reminiscent of the color of pigeons’ feet.
With its deep root system, Piedirosso, an essential component for the production of Lacryma Christi rosso, draws splendid and inimitable expressions of acidity and minerality from the volcanic soil, extraordinarily rich in silt, phosphorus, and potassium.
Varietal characteristics
Medium leaf, orbicular, five-lobed; cluster medium to large, rather loose, with a truncated-pyramidal shape, stout, with two wings. Berry medium to large, spherical, with a pruinose, thick skin of intense red–purple color. Ripening: mid–early. Vigor: good.
Caprettone
Locally called caprettone or crapettone.
A variety found exclusively in the municipalities at the foot of Monte Somma-Vesuvio, where it is the main grape of the DOC Vesuvio and an essential component for producing Lacryma Christi Bianco or for single-variety vinification.
As often happens with grape varieties named after animals, in this case the name likely refers to the shape of the cluster, resembling a goat’s beard, or to the shepherds who began cultivating it.
Varietal characteristics
It has large, pentalobed leaves of light green color; the cluster is large, loose, sometimes compact, pyramidal in shape with wings; the berry is small and uniform, sub-round, with a firm, yellowish, pruinose skin. It has good productivity but low vigor; ripening occurs on average in the second half of September.
Catalanesca
Imported from Catalonia in the 15th century.
This grape owes its name to its geographical origin: it was imported to the slopes of the Somma-Vesuvio from Catalonia by Alfonso I of Aragon in the 15th century. On these fertile volcanic soils, the grape was used both as table grapes and to produce an excellent wine by the Vesuvian farmers in the imposing cellars of the farmhouses.
Today it is mainly cultivated in Somma Vesuviana, Sant’Anastasia, Ottaviano, and the other Vesuvian towns located on Monte Somma. The harvest takes place between October and November, but the grapes can remain on the vine until the end of the year: in the past, it was customary to leave the finest clusters on the plant, gradually removing damaged berries, in order to preserve them until the Christmas period.
Since 2006, it has been officially added to the list of wine grapes. In 2011, the production regulations were drafted, leading to the IGP Catalanesca del Monte Somma.
Varietal characteristics
It has a medium-sized, trilobed leaf with short petioles. The cluster is loose, elongated, and cylindrical-conical. The berry is large, round, with thick, golden-yellow skin, slightly pruinose.