Tintore di Tramonti is an ancient indigenous grape variety from Campania, historically linked to the Tramonti area and the inland hills of the Amalfi Coast. Its presence is documented in the area’s traditional vineyards, where a number of ungrafted vines, preserved by the specific environmental conditions, bear witness to a cultural continuity of great significance. The name refers to the grape’s extraordinary colouring ability, due to the high concentration of anthocyanins in the skin and flesh.
From an ampelographic point of view, it has medium-sized leaves, generally pentagonal and five-lobed. The bunch is elongated and conical, often featuring one or two wings, and characterised by a rather loose structure. The berries, spherical and of medium size, have a thick, pruinose skin, blue-black in colour tending towards purplish-red.
Cultivation is concentrated mainly in Tramonti, with some presence in the Irno Valley and other municipalities along the Amalfi Coast. Traditionally trained on pergola or radial trellises, it is used in the production of red wines from the Tramonti sub-zone of the Amalfi Coast. The wine is characterised by an intense ruby colour, at times dense and deep, with aromas of dark fruits, spices and balsamic notes, as well as a substantial structure, supported by acidity and tannins. Its phenolic concentration promotes positive ageing over time and makes Tintore one of the most distinctive expressions of viticulture on the Campania coast.
