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Aglianico, a staple grape in Taurasi, is known for its strength and ability to age beautifully. As Wine Spectator wisely notes, "It's not an easy grape, but all the most important wines come from grapes that are difficult to grow." This is what separates great wines from forgettable ones—Aglianico demands respect, skill, and patience, but rewards those who master it with wines of extraordinary depth and character.

Just an hour from Naples (birthplace of pizza) and the ancient ruins of Pompeii lies one of Italy's most exciting wine discoveries. Meet Nativ Winery, founded in 2008 in Irpinia's heart by the legendary Dr. Mario Ercolino and Dr. Roberta Pirone.

For those who don’t know, Dr. Mario Ercolino is a titan in the Italian wine industry. If you've heard of the iconic Feudi di San Gregorio, a cult favorite among Italian wine lovers, it's thanks to Ercolino, who redefined Southern Italian wine and put that winery on the map. He was also at the helm of San Marzano producing some of the highest awarded wines from Puglia. Now, his focus is on his own brand Nativ from Irpinia, a region poised to rival the world's most celebrated winegrowing areas.

Here's why this matters: Irpinia sits on rich volcanic soils from ancient Mount Vesuvius eruptions, with layers of ash, pumice, and basalt creating mineral-rich, perfectly-drained terroir that's absolute magic for native grapes like Fiano di Avellino, Greco di Tufo, Falanghina, and the powerhouse Aglianico. Nativ’s wines are made from native grapes (hence the name) that have defined the region for centuries, representing the true essence of “Made in Italy.”

Wine Enthusiast calls Taurasi wines "southern Italy's answer to Barolo and Brunello"—structured, complex, with serious aging potential. The region's winemaking tradition predates the Greeks' arrival in the 8th century BCE.

These aren't the rustic wines of old that need decades to drink. As one of only 415 "Italian Wine Ambassadors" worldwide, our Greg Martellotto discovered Nativ and was blown away. "These are not the rustic wines of old that require decades of aging.  One of the most successful qualities of the wines from Nativ is how generous they are. These are not shy wines.”

We’re proud to be the direct importers of this stunning gem, bringing you the very best of Irpinia!

Fun Fact: The name comes from where wild horses used to graze, and you can still see ruins of the old "Hermitage of San Quirico" there today. Pretty cool that you're drinking wine from a place where horses ran free and monks lived centuries ago.

About the Vintage: "The 2019 vintage is a modern-day classic. The growing season was warm yet balanced, yielding fruit-focused wines with silky tannins and excellent potential for a drinking window of 20 years or more. The 2019s are hard not to like and possess a certain upfront appeal that will likely mean too many of them are consumed before they reach their ideal maturity." ~Eric Guido, Vinous Media

Aging: 18 months in new French oak barrels.

100% Aglianico. Ruby red color, hints of cherry confiture, wild cherries, and blackberries. Intense spices, dark chocolate, and blackberries on the palate. 

~99 Luca Maroni, I Migliori Vini Italiani, Italy's Best Wines Guide 2022

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