From: Squille in Castel Campagnano, Campania, Italy
Varietals: 75% Pallagrello Nero, 25% Aglianico
Tasting Notes: The wine opens with vibrant aromas of black raspberry and black cherry, offering a rich and fruity body. Aglianico adds layers of peppery spice, smoky earth, hints of lavender, and a firm, chalky tannic structure. The finish is fresh and balanced, with lingering notes of cherry.
Pairing: Traditional Italian pairings like Brasato al Barolo (braised beef in red wine), Agnello al Forno (roast lamb), and Salsiccia e Friarielli (sausage with bitter greens) perfectly complement the wine's bold fruit and earthy notes. The wine's firm tannins
and fresh cherry finish make it an excellent match for grilled meats like a juicy ribeye steak or Pollo alla Diavola (spicy grilled chicken). For something lighter, try it alongside mushroom risotto or roasted root vegetables, which enhance the wine's smoky and peppery characteristics. Additionally, the wine pairs well with a charcuterie board featuring cured meats and hard cheeses.
Sausage With Chard and Rhubarb
By Melissa Clark
About. Nestled in the heart of Campania, in the picturesque hamlet of Squille in Castel Campagnano, Selvanova winery embodies a philosophy deeply rooted in the land it calls home. Surrounded by the clayey soils between Mount Taburno, Partenio to the south, and the Matese Massif to the north, the vineyard enjoys a unique microclimate thanks to the cooling influence of the Volturno River. This environment, blessed with cool summers and temperate winters, has been ideal for cultivating vines and olive trees for centuries.
Founded in 1997 by Dr. Antonio Buono, Selvanova was once a buffalo farm before transforming into a multifaceted estate where agriculture and viticulture harmoniously coexist. Spanning over 100 acres, with 25 dedicated to vines, the property also presses its own olive oil, produces cheese from the animals it raises, and grows various fruits and vegetables, making it a self-sustaining ecosystem.
Since 2018, Selvanova has flourished under the ownership of Gesco, a prominent social enterprise group from Campania. Gesco, known for its work in social-health services and sustainable business practices, saw the ethical potential of the winery and invested in the project. The goal: to preserve the integrity of the land and its produce, minimizing human intervention to allow nature to continue its ancient work undisturbed. This approach, rooted in sustainable and healthy viticulture, aligns with Gesco’s broader commitment to environmental stewardship and cultural preservation.
The vineyard park at Selvanova comprises 10 hectares, all gently sloping towards the Volturno river. Divided into five distinct plots, the vineyards offer varied exposures and altitudes, creating ideal conditions for cultivating some of Campania’s most iconic grape varieties. Pallagrello Bianco and Pallagrello Nero, two of the region’s most distinctive native varieties, thrive here alongside Aglianico and Fiano, which have long been emblematic of Campania’s rich viticultural heritage. These grape varieties reflect both the history and future of Campanian winemaking, a seamless blend of tradition and innovation.
This 75% Pallagrello Nero and 25% Aglianico blend hails from the Terre del Volturno IGT. Certified organic and harvested by hand in late September, this wine showcases the distinct terroir of Selvanova’s hillside vineyards, which benefit from the cooling microclimate provided by the nearby Volturno River. Spontaneous fermentation occurs in stainless steel, with each grape variety fermented separately and blended after fermentation. The wine undergoes a maceration period of 15 days, followed by six months of aging on the fine lees in stainless steel. Bottled without fining or filtration, this natural approach produces a pure expression of the grapes and terroir. Only 7,000 bottles of this 13% ABV wine are produced.
