Valentino Sciotti (of Farnese) took over this small co-operative in Acerenza, in the heart of the Aglianico del Vulture zone, in 2008. Consultant winemaker Alberto Antonini works with the talented Danilo Gizzi to capture the character of the grapes, and area, in the finished wine. According to Alberto, arriving in this beautiful, isolated and uncontaminated region, is almost like stepping back a few centuries in time. It is certainly one of Italy’s least explored areas but is nevertheless producing some exciting wines. The low-trained vineyards are situated on the volcanic slopes of Mount Vulture at altitudes of up to 800 metres above sea level. The ‘Pipoli’ white is made from a blend of Greco and Fiano. It has a wonderful aromatic intensity with great depth on the palate, illustrating just how good these native white varieties are. The ‘Pipoli’ Aglianico del Vulture has good colour, with spicy fruit on the nose and lovely elegance and balance. The ‘Piano del Cerro’ Aglianico del Vulture, made from a selection of their best fruit, is aged in barrique and shows an extra richness and a cedary dimension that sets it apart. This vintage saw cooler weather than usual, which allowed the grapes to ripen gradually and retain refreshing acidity. As a result, wines from 2018 are more elegant than bolder vintages. This wine is bright ruby red in colour, with violet reflections. On the nose, there are intense aromas of cherry, violets and cocoa. Full-bodied, this wine has a sweet red fruit character with delicate oak nuances of vanilla and spice on the long finish.