Elena Fucci

Elena Fucci is a name that is synonymous with winemaking in Basilicata and today, Elena, along with her eponymous winery, is one of the greatest ambassadors of this often-forgotten region. Elena Fucci, now in her forties, cultivates grapes on six hectares of her family’s land and produces wines exclusively within the appellation of Aglianico del Vulture. Her Aglianico del Vulture Titolo is considered by many to be the best red wine in southern Italy - it offers dark berries, leather, fresh spice, a brooding charm and serious ageability. Organic certified, minimal intervention, and absolutely committed to sustainability, in 2000, Salvatore Fucci, was about to sell his family’s land when his daughter Elena convinced him to keep it, promising to maximise its potential after studying Oenology. Aren’t we thankful it worked! Through her dedication to the land and tireless study of the Aglianico grape, Elena Fucci tames this difficult variety into wines of clarity, minerality, complexity and finesse.

 

Not immediately springing to mind when we think of quality Italian wines, scratch below the surface and you’ll discover that Basilicata quietly boasts an ancient winemaking tradition on the slopes of Mount Vulture. A volcano now extinct, the free-draining, mineral-rich soils left by Vulture (pronounced vul-tur-eh) are perfect for the cultivation of the indigenous Aglianico grape. Aglianico is a tough variety that needs the very sunniest conditions to reach full ripeness and soften the tannins to a drinkable level, but without some coolness at altitude, the grapes acquire sugar too quickly and lose acidity. Thus, Elena Fucci’s vineyards at 600m above sea level on the slopes of the volcano are the prime spot for Aglianico to thrive. Her Aglianico del Vulture Titolo needs a good couple of years for the tannins to soften but the Aglianico del Vulture SCEG is rounder and more approachable on its release.