{"id":9170,"date":"2022-12-07T13:30:13","date_gmt":"2022-12-07T13:30:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.northberkeleyimports.com\/wordpress\/?post_type=project&p=9170"},"modified":"2025-07-28T18:15:57","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T18:15:57","slug":"cantine-olivella","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/www.northberkeleyimports.com\/wordpress\/project\/cantine-olivella\/","title":{"rendered":"Cantine Olivella"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Cantine Olivella” subhead=”Sant\u2019Anastasia (Naples) | Campania” text_orientation=”center” background_overlay_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.25)” _builder_version=”4.19.2″ title_font_size=”50″ subhead_font_size=”20px” background_color=”rgba(255, 255, 255, 0)” background_image=”https:\/\/www.northberkeleyimports.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/campania_vadiaperti_header.jpg” global_colors_info=”{}” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row padding_mobile=”off” make_equal=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on” admin_label=”row” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#fcf4de” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”89%” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”89%” max_width_tablet=”80%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|2% ||2% ” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”USP” _builder_version=”4.23″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”justified” custom_margin=”|2%||2%” use_border_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The smoldering power of an ancient yet still active volcano, the native roots of unique grapes that reach back hundreds of years, and the passion of local talent eager to breathe new life into one of Campania’s most historic wine regions: Dionysus, god of the vine, would be most proud of the team at Cantine Olivella<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Here on the slopes of Monte Somma, the oldest part of Vesuvius — the volcano that destroyed Pompeii and continues to rumble, shaking daily the nerves of the Napolitani<\/em> — grape growing is an ancient art, the lava-rich, sandy slopes of the volcano providing perfect terroir for rare, native grapes such as Catalanesca and Piedirosso.<\/p>\n

Winemaker Andrea Cozzolino started his project in 2004, bringing with him some of his family’s historic vineyard holdings here in the Vesuvio National Park, a protected area that provides vines with an ideal biodiversity in which to thrive. Small vineyards dot this wild landscape, ranging from 900 to nearly 2,400 feet in altitude — this is fine winemaking that respects the natural landscape of Vesuvius while cultivating historic vines on soils that have known them for centuries.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ padding_mobile=”off” make_equal=”on” admin_label=”row” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”89%” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”89%” max_width_tablet=”80%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” make_fullwidth=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”5%|5%|5%|5%” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#d46d32″ use_border_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

FARMING & WINEMAKING<\/strong><\/p>\n

The estate totals some 30 acres on the volcanic slopes of Monte Somma, the oldest portion of the Vesuvius volcano near Naples. Vineyards are spread out over three regions–Somma Vesuviana, Sant’Anastasia and Pollena Trocchia–with altitudes ranging from 900 to more than 2,400 feet. Plots are mostly small, and surrounded by wild forest and brush.<\/p>\n

Cultivation is limited to native grape varietals, such as white grapes Catalanesca and Caprettone, and red grapes Piedirosso and Olivella. All vines are “piedi franco,” or ungrafted rootstock; vines are propagated via layering. (With layering, a single cane from a healthy vine is buried in the soil with its tip exposed; that is allowed to grow, while roots develop to then eventually form a new, independent plant.)<\/p>\n

Viticulture is according to organic principles, and the estate is certified; practices include planting beneficial herbs between rows to prevent erosion and control pests. All work in the fields is necessarily performed by hand. Yields are naturally low.<\/p>\n

Grapes are harvested by hand, usually in October given the longer growing season at altitude. Fermentation happens on indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled tanks. Aging takes place also in tank.<\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”WHITE WINES” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”|on|||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”16″ background_color=”#d46d32″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”2%|5%|2%|5%” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]WHITE WINES
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=”Lacryma Christi Vesuvio Bianco ‘Lacrimabianco’ ” admin_label=”Lacryma Christi Vesuvio Bianco ‘Lacrimabianco’ ” _builder_version=”4.19.2″ title_font=”|on|||” title_font_size=”14″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”|5%||5%” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

‘Olivetta’ is the name of a natural spring within the Vesuvio National Park, the only one in the area — a source of necessary refreshment for both travelers and residents. This ‘Lacrimabianco’ too is a source of necessary refreshment, a silky marriage of two native white grapes: Catalanesca and Caprettone. Medium-bodied and chock-full of apple and pear and citrus fruit, it’s a lovely draught of southern Italian sun and energy.<\/p>\n

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