Basilicata’s wine-growing region is shaped by the interplay of the Apennine mountains, plateaus, clay-rich hills and coastal strips overlooking the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas. It is a diverse region, characterised by significant variations in altitude, aspect and soil composition – factors that help to define a wine-growing tradition rich in local identity. Vines are found mainly in the hilly and foothill areas, where the altitude favours slower ripening and helps to preserve acidity, aromas and complexity.
The climate of Basilicata varies considerably from one area to another. Inland areas are characterised by more continental conditions, with cold winters, dry summers and significant temperature variations between day and night. Breezes from the two seas, on the other hand, temper the southern and eastern areas, helping to ensure a more balanced ripening of the grapes. The presence of hills and valleys creates numerous microclimates, whilst the different exposures of the vineyards allow for the modulation of phenolic ripening and aromatic concentration.
The Vulture is one of the region’s most recognisable wine-growing landscapes. Here, the vineyards stretch across the slopes of an ancient extinct volcano, in an environment characterised by volcanic soils, rich in minerals and capable of providing good water availability. The hillside altitudes, ventilation and daily temperature variations favour structured, deep and long-lived wines, underpinned by a well-defined acidity. Aglianico is the main grape variety of this area, featured in the Aglianico del Vulture DOC and Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG appellations.
However, Basilicata’s wine-growing region is not limited to the Vulture area. In the province of Matera, the landscape alternates between limestone plateaus, calcarenites, clays, sands and terraced hillsides, with soils that can impart different textural and aromatic characteristics to the wines. The Matera DOC designation includes red, white and rosé wines, with a significant presence of Primitivo, Aglianico, Greco and other authorised grape varieties. Primitivo thrives particularly in the warmer areas closer to the Ionian coast, where it expresses ripeness, fruity intensity and smoothness, whilst Greco contributes to white wines with good freshness and a crisp bouquet.
In the Upper Val d’Agri, viticulture takes place in a mountainous and valley setting, characterised by high altitudes, breezy conditions and significant daily temperature variations. The Terre dell’Alta Val d’Agri appellation primarily showcases Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, which are able to adapt to local conditions, producing balanced, fragrant red wines with well-integrated tannins. In the area around Roccanova, Sant’Arcangelo and Castronuovo di Sant’Andrea, the ‘Grottino di Roccanova’ reflects a local tradition linked to hillside vineyards and the custom of ageing wine in rock-hewn cellars.
Alongside the designations of origin, the Basilicata Geographical Indication allows for the promotion of a wide range of wines, including those made from Malvasia, Aleatico, Moscato, Greco Bianco and international grape varieties. Production techniques include vinification in stainless steel, ageing in wood and longer maturation periods for wines intended to develop over time. In the Vulture region, the memory of traditional wine presses and historic cellars also endures, bearing witness to a wine culture deeply rooted in the villages, countryside and local communities. Basilicata thus preserves a diverse and distinctive wine heritage, in which geology, altitude, tradition and a contemporary sensibility combine to define wines that are authentically linked to the Lucanian landscape.
