Storia
The Swabian namesake
The identity of Re Manfredi draws on the medieval history of the Vulture area. Frederick II of Swabia had a particular affection for this territory, where surviving castles preserve evidence of the Swabian presence. Following his father’s death, Manfred became regent of southern Italy in 1258. Pope Innocent IV excommunicated him in the conflict over Manfred’s political independence, but Manfred was subsequently elected King of Sicily in Palermo. He ruled until 1266, when he died at the Battle of Benevento.
Dante later wrote about Manfred in the Divine Comedy, presenting him as a victim of papal political power and of the use of excommunication for political ends. Manfred was also associated with the area as a place of retreat. Re Manfredi takes its name from him and dedicates its principal Aglianico to the Swabian king.
Frederick II’s family also inspired other names in the range. His daughter Flordelis, born to his last wife Bianca Lancia, is recalled by Flordelis Rosato Basilicata IGT, while Bianca degli Svevi Basilicata Bianco IGT refers to Bianca Lancia and the Swabian heritage.
Establishment in 1998
Re Manfredi was established in 1998 in the heart of the Aglianico del Vulture DOC production zone, a few kilometres from Venosa. The location also carries an older literary association: Venosa was the birthplace of the Latin poet Horace in 65 BC.
A large, welcoming masseria stands at the centre of the property. The winery’s historical-vintage collection begins with its founding year, preserving 1,600 bottles from vintages dating back to 1998.
Development of the cellar
A modern cellar was developed beside the masseria. Its equipment includes a grape-selection and pressing line, new presses, wood and steel fermenters, and small vessels that permit grapes from different vineyards to be vinified separately. This parcel-sensitive organization was designed to retain the distinguishing characteristics of the individual vineyards.
A barrel cellar was constructed 7 metres underground. It holds approximately 200 barriques used for ageing Aglianico, together with amphorae, Clayver vessels and Oeufs de Beaune containers employed in trials of different winemaking techniques. A photovoltaic installation was also added to generate solar energy for the winery.
The 2015 limited edition for Matera 2019
A numbered limited edition of the 2015 Re Manfredi Aglianico del Vulture DOC was dedicated to Matera’s designation as European Capital of Culture in 2019. Its presentation box reproduced a characteristic view of the city.
Terroir
Vulture landscape
The estate lies at the foot of Monte Vulture in Basilicata. The extinct volcano rises to 1,300 metres and dominates the plateau. Vineyards share the surrounding landscape with olive trees, while the estate’s foothill position creates a distinctive microclimate.
Geology and soils
The soils have a volcanic matrix. Lava from Monte Vulture mixed with material rich in clay, calcium, nitrogen and tuff, forming the local growing environment. The volcanic component is associated with the mineral and savoury character of the wines.
Serpara occupies hilly volcanic ground in the municipality of Maschito. The main Venosa vineyards and the white-grape plantings at Pian di Camera stand at 420 metres above sea level. Serpara is described at 550 metres in the estate’s vineyard overview.
Climate and light
The Vulture has a continental climate, with very cold winters, hot summers and pronounced differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures. Special light and wide diurnal temperature ranges are presented as defining features of the district. These conditions accompany a particularly late growing season: harvest on the volcano’s slopes takes place in late autumn and is described as the last harvest in Italy.
Vinificazione
The property is planted predominantly with Aglianico. In Venosa, the estate uses both Guyot and spurred-cordon training: 30 ha of Aglianico are Guyot-trained and 22 ha are trained to spurred cordon. The 20 ha of Müller and Traminer Aromatico at Pian di Camera are also trained to Guyot.
Vine age varies by site. The Venosa Aglianico blocks are described as 20 years old for the Guyot-trained portion and 10 years old for the spurred-cordon portion. The white vineyards are described as 5–10 years old. At Serpara, 3 ha of the approximately 6 ha vineyard carry vines more than 40 years old. Serpara is also used to make selections for new vineyards, giving the old planting a role in preserving and propagating estate material.
The growing cycle extends late into autumn. Harvest on the Vulture slopes is characterized as Italy’s last, reflecting the area’s elevated sites and continental conditions.
Cellar layout and grape reception
The winery stands beside the masseria at the centre of the property. Its reception area includes a pressing line with grape selection and new presses.
Separate vinification
Wood and steel fermenters are complemented by small vessels that allow grapes from different vineyards to be vinified separately. The purpose of this arrangement is to preserve the individual characteristics of each vineyard rather than combining all fruit at reception.
Ageing cellar and experimental vessels
The barrel cellar lies 7 metres underground and contains approximately 200 barriques used to age Aglianico. The cellar also works experimentally with amphorae, Clayver vessels and Oeufs de Beaune containers, testing different approaches to vinification and maturation.
Historical-vintage archive and energy
A dedicated vault holds 1,600 bottles from historical vintages beginning with 1998. The winery is equipped with a photovoltaic system that produces solar energy on site.
Filosofia
Re Manfredi’s production philosophy centres on a daily pursuit of quality and on expressing the relationship among the estate, its grape varieties and the volcanic environment. The winery characterizes its range as wines of place, variety and volcano.
In practical terms, this approach is reflected in the separate vinification of grapes from different vineyards so that their distinguishing traits are retained. The use of small lots and trials with amphorae, Clayver vessels and Oeufs de Beaune combines established cellar materials with continued technical experimentation.
Morgan Sean McCrum’s professional outlook developed around the connection between nature, science and creativity. His work in American wineries focused on viticultural and winemaking techniques capable of expressing the individuality of vineyards and cellars, while his repeated experience of Basilicata led to a particular commitment to Aglianico del Vulture.