Region: Campania, Italy (Campania IGT)
Grapes: 100% Aglianico
Body: Medium to Full
Notes: Sour dark cherries, crushed blackberries, wild rosemary, tilled volcanic soil, black olives, and a smoky, deeply mineral effervescence with a rustic, structural grip
Pairing: Grilled lamb chops, wood-fired wild mushroom pizza, rich pasta with meat ragù, continuous charcuterie boards, or savory wild game dishes
The Producer
Cantina Giardino is a legendary, deeply authoritative beacon of the Italian natural wine movement, located in the mountainous Irpinia district of Campania. Founded in 2003 by enologist Antonio di Gruttola, his wife Daniela, and a tight-knit circle of friends, the project was born out of an urgent mission to rescue and preserve ancient, forgotten vineyards (many over 50 to 100 years old). Antonio and Daniela collaborate with local contadini (farmers) who have practiced traditional farming for generations, actively protecting low-yielding native varieties like Aglianico, Coda di Volpe, Greco, and Fiano from commercial uprooting. In their cellar, winemaking is an instinctual, uncompromised craft. They utilize a diverse collection of amphorae, fiberglass, and local wood barrels (such as chestnut and cherry), entirely rejecting filtration, clarification, and synthetic inputs under a strict zero-zero framework.
The Wine
The 2021 "Capelli Ritti" (which playfully translates to "Hair Standing on End" or "Spiky Hair") is a brilliantly dark, wild, and thrillingly complex rosso frizzante engineered to flip standard sparkling red tropes on their head. Made entirely from old-vine Aglianico grown in mineral-dense, high-altitude volcanic and calcareous clay soils, the fruit undergoes a native yeast fermentation with two weeks of continuous skin maceration. The base wine is aged in concrete vats to maintain its precise, mineral-driven tension before being bottled with a touch of unfermented sweet must to trigger a natural, ancestral-method secondary fermentation in the bottle. Bottled completely unfined, unfiltered, and with zero added sulfur, this highly scannable 2021 vintage pours a deep, opaque purple-ruby with a lively, frothy mousse; it masterfully channels the serious, savory, and structured bone-dry character of mountain Aglianico with a refreshing, high-vibe carbonation that demands a light chill.
Region: Campania, Italy (Campania IGT)
Grapes: 100% Aglianico
Body: Medium to Full
Notes: Sour dark cherries, crushed blackberries, wild rosemary, tilled volcanic soil, black olives, and a smoky, deeply mineral effervescence with a rustic, structural grip
Pairing: Grilled lamb chops, wood-fired wild mushroom pizza, rich pasta with meat ragù, continuous charcuterie boards, or savory wild game dishes
The Producer
Cantina Giardino is a legendary, deeply authoritative beacon of the Italian natural wine movement, located in the mountainous Irpinia district of Campania. Founded in 2003 by enologist Antonio di Gruttola, his wife Daniela, and a tight-knit circle of friends, the project was born out of an urgent mission to rescue and preserve ancient, forgotten vineyards (many over 50 to 100 years old). Antonio and Daniela collaborate with local contadini (farmers) who have practiced traditional farming for generations, actively protecting low-yielding native varieties like Aglianico, Coda di Volpe, Greco, and Fiano from commercial uprooting. In their cellar, winemaking is an instinctual, uncompromised craft. They utilize a diverse collection of amphorae, fiberglass, and local wood barrels (such as chestnut and cherry), entirely rejecting filtration, clarification, and synthetic inputs under a strict zero-zero framework.
The Wine
The 2021 "Capelli Ritti" (which playfully translates to "Hair Standing on End" or "Spiky Hair") is a brilliantly dark, wild, and thrillingly complex rosso frizzante engineered to flip standard sparkling red tropes on their head. Made entirely from old-vine Aglianico grown in mineral-dense, high-altitude volcanic and calcareous clay soils, the fruit undergoes a native yeast fermentation with two weeks of continuous skin maceration. The base wine is aged in concrete vats to maintain its precise, mineral-driven tension before being bottled with a touch of unfermented sweet must to trigger a natural, ancestral-method secondary fermentation in the bottle. Bottled completely unfined, unfiltered, and with zero added sulfur, this highly scannable 2021 vintage pours a deep, opaque purple-ruby with a lively, frothy mousse; it masterfully channels the serious, savory, and structured bone-dry character of mountain Aglianico with a refreshing, high-vibe carbonation that demands a light chill.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.