Farming in the heart of the Vulture is more than a passion for the musto_producer Musto Carmelitano family; it’s a calling that’s been passed down from generation to generation for more than 100 years.
Elisabetta Musto Carmelitano and her brother, Luigi, are the driving force behind this family estate. Neither sibling formally studied winemaking, but both have rather lived the craft, learning from family members how to care for Aglianico vines and make their wines.
Maschito, the literal heart of the Vulture region, has always remained deeply significant for the Musto Carmelitano clan. Francesco Carmelitano was born in this village surrounded by Aglianico vines, yet like so many families from southern Italy, for a time immigrated abroad—but he always longed to return to the land.
After just a few years he came back to Maschito (plus a young Elisabetta, born in England) and with his brother Musto, reclaimed from his father and uncle a small farm and vineyards.
Musto and Francesco’s passion for the land and the vine—not to mention an intense work ethic stemming from serious integrity—was passed down to Elisabetta and Luigi. So much so that they turned away from other professions to stay in Maschito, reconnecting with the vineyards that their great-grandfather planted with his own hands.
For years the family sold their grapes to other local producers, but Elisabetta always felt deep down that her family’s older-vine Aglianico needed an opportunity to express itself individually. She knew that Aglianico is a wine of wonderful natural balance, yet was disappointed by the over-extracted nature of many wines produced locally. Musto Carmelitano wines effortlessly capture Aglianico’s elegance and beauty.
Today, the family’s modest yet modern wine cellar stands surrounded by fruit trees and an organic vegetable garden. Their older Aglianico vines, a stone’s throw from the family village, stand out as verdant and lush, in stark contrast to neighboring vines that aren’t cared for organically. You can tell that these vines are not only the family’s livelihood, but their life.
Beyond the usual suspects, there are hundreds of red grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines, while others are better suited for use as blending grapes. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles, offering much to be discovered by the curious wine lover. In particular, Portugal and Italy are known for having a multitude of unique varieties but they can really be found in any region.
Inhabiting the arch of Italy’s boot, this southern, mountainous region has a relatively small amount of vineyard area under vine. Basilicata has one DOCG for its prized red grape, Aglianico, Aglianico del Vulture Superior, which is limited to the slopes of an extinct volcano. The best whites are made of Malvasia bianca.
