Cantine Matrone

Boscotrecase (NA) - CAMPANIA

Cantine Matrone is located in Boscotrecase, in the heart of the Vesuvius National Park. Andrea Matrone, graduated in Agriculture with specialisation in Oenology in Florence. After gaining experience making wine in Australia, New Zealand, California, Sicily and Cilento, he returned to his origins, on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius, to an area which has always been known as ‘Territorio de' Matroni’ – ‘Matrone’s land’.

The Matrone family has been living here since the eighteenth century. In 2014, together with his cousin Francesco, Andrea started working their grandfather's old vineyards, giving life to the wine project he had always dreamed of: producing wines on Mt Vesuvius with great respect for territoriality and nature.

The vineyard is situated in a densely wooded area of the Vesuvius National Park, with a spectacular view of Capri and the Gulf of Naples. All the vines are bush trained and ungrafted, and cover about two hectares. Total production is 10,000 bottles. The vineyard is in the process of converting to organic production (it will be certified from 2024). But already it relies exclusively on copper, sulphur and clay to protect the grapes. Legume-based green manure is the only fertiliser used.

The vineyard’s yield is kept low to accentuate the pleasing saltiness of the wines which comes from the potassium in the volcanic soil. The wines are fermented pied de cuvé from native yeasts and all interventions in the cellar are kept to a minimum. The bulk of production is focused on two wines: Lacryma Christi Rosso and Lacryma Christi Bianco.

The iron-rich volcanic soils, surrounded by prickly pears, scotch broom and maritime pines make the Vesuvius region particularly suitable for the production of this type of wine.  ‘Christ’s tears’ has been produced here since Roman times. The first to make it in a ‘serious’ way were local monks, whose convent stood on the slopes of Mt Vesuvius. Later the Jesuit Fathers, owners of vast lands in the areas, became its almost exclusive producers.

Andrea produces wines which are aromatic, precise and complex, while retaining the unique terroir-driven character and flavours typical of this wine.