Rubrato (2019)

About this wine

Rubrato is Feudi di San Gregorio’s youthful take on Aglianico from Irpinia in Campania, made to show the grape’s brighter, more approachable side. The nose opens with blackberry, black cherry, licorice, and a woodland note that feels earthy without getting heavy. On the palate, it stays energetic and balanced, with fresh plum and dark berry fruit leading into a subtle balsamic edge. Aglianico often has a more stern reputation, but this bottle leans into vibrancy and drinkability while still keeping the grape’s natural character. Feudi di San Gregorio helped bring modern attention to Campania’s native grapes, and Rubrato has become one of the clearest examples of how appealing young Aglianico can be when the fruit stays front and center.

About the grape

Aglianico is an ancient southern Italian grape believed to have Greek origins and has been cultivated in Campania and Basilicata for centuries, prized for its thick skin and natural acidity. In Irpinia, where Feudi di San Gregorio sources the fruit for Rubrato, Aglianico is grown on volcanic and clay soils at modest altitudes, often trained low to the ground or on espalier to control vigor and concentrate ripeness. For Rubrato the variety is handled to showcase its youthful energy, with careful canopy management and modern cellar practices to preserve structure and varietal character. The grape is central to the wine, contributing the tannic framework and acidity that allow producers in the region to make both ageworthy and earlier drinking styles depending on vineyard selection and winemaking choices.

Quick facts

• 🍇 Rubrato is made from 100% Aglianico grown in Irpinia and crafted to show the grape’s juicy youthfulness rather than long barrel aging.
• ⚙️ Unlike many Aglianico wines that see oak, Rubrato is fermented and matured primarily in stainless steel for about 10 months to keep bright fruit and freshness.
• 🌍 Feudi positions Rubrato as an accessible, widely distributed Aglianico and the label is often available in both standard 750 ml and smaller 375 ml formats for easy sharing or tasting flights.
• 🫐 Rubrato’s tasting profile highlights wild black fruit, licorice and a delicate balsamic finish, a flavour fingerprint Feudi describes as Aglianico ‘in its youth’.
• 🏛️ Rubrato comes from a winery (Feudi di San Gregorio) that has been central to the modern revival of Campania’s native varieties since the estate’s founding in the mid‑1980s, making the bottle part of a regional renaissance story.

Palate profile

Producer

Feudi di San Gregorio, established in 1986 in Sorbo Serpico, Italy, has become a symbol of Southern Italy's wine renaissance by focusing on indigenous grape varieties like Greco, Fiano, and Aglianico. The winery spans over 300 hectares divided into more than 800 plots, each meticulously studied to enhance the region's biodiversity. In 2004, they inaugurated a modern cellar designed by Japanese architect Hikaru Mori, blending tradition with contemporary architecture. Demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability, Feudi di San Gregorio achieved B-Corp certification in June 2022, reflecting their dedication to environmental and social responsibility.