The Riviera dei Gelsomini corresponds to the Ionian stretch of Locride, where the Reggio Calabria coastline winds its way through sandy beaches, headlands and hills that rise towards the Aspromonte. It is a distinctly Mediterranean region, characterised by hot, dry summers, the proximity of the sea and a constant breeze that helps to maintain favourable conditions for the vine. From the coast to the hinterland, the landscape changes rapidly: the coastal plains and wide alluvial flats give way to hillsides shaped by the rivers, with soils of varying origins, often loose and well-drained. The crystalline-metamorphic components of the Aspromonte and the materials carried by the watercourses combine to create a marked variety of soil types.
Local viticulture preserves an ampelographic heritage linked to Calabria’s Magna Graecia history. The white Greco grape is one of the region’s most distinctive varieties, used in the production of Greco di Bianco, a passito wine obtained by drying the grapes on racks – a traditional practice that concentrates sugars and aromas and brings out notes of ripe citrus, honey, dried fruit and Mediterranean flowers. Alongside this sweet expression, the grape variety can also be used in dry white wines, alongside Mantonico and other local varieties.
In the northern areas of the Riviera, the Bivongi appellation also features, producing white, rosé and red wines. The red wines primarily feature Gaglioppo, Greco Nero, Nocera, Calabrese and Castiglione, whilst the whites are based on Greco Bianco and varieties permitted by the appellation regulations. Production techniques alternate between white vinification methods aimed at freshness and aromatic clarity, more structured macerations for the reds, and traditional drying methods for sweet wines. The result is a range that precisely captures the interplay between the sea, the hills, Mediterranean culture and ancient winemaking traditions.
