Basilicata | ITALY

Mastrodomenico vineyards, where viticulture is stronger than wildfires.

In Rapolla, on Mount Vulture, Emanuela and her father cultivate the memory of the volcano, its wines, and of a land still to be discovered. Between the sharing of the philosophy of FIVI and the flames of 2023, that could have represented the end of everything ,but instead marked a new beginning.

Basilicata | ITALY

Mastrodomenico vineyards, where viticulture is stronger even than wildfires.

In Rapolla, on Mount Vulture, Emanuela and her father cultivate the memory of the volcano and its wines. And of a land still to be discovered. Amid the sharing with the philosophy of FIVI and the flames of 2023 that could have represented the end of everything but instead marked a new beginning.

Among the gentle curves of Monte Vulture, where the black soil retains the warmth of the sun and the wind traces ancient trajectories between the rows of vines, Basilicata tells a different story from that of the more famous volcanoes. Here, there is no clamor of lofty names, just that of the slow and profound pace of those who cultivate memory. It is in this suspended landscape, in Rapolla located in the Acquarossa district, that we find the story of Emanuela Mastrodomenico and her winery Vigne Mastrodomenico, takes shape, associated with FIVI, the Italian Federation of Independent Winegrowers.

The Vulture is not just a name, it is a breath of fresh air.

It is the winemaking heart of the Sassi and calanchi region, yet today it remains a land to discover, often overshadowed by more well-known territories. Emanuela knows this well: her work is not just about making wine, but restoring identity to a place that risks "losing itself in the maze" if it is not precisely named. Rapolla. Acquarossa. Coordinates that became a story, a sense of belonging, and a vision. The vineyards are organic, rooted in a terrain both difficult and generous with its soil.

Here, care is not an isolated gesture, but an agricultural and cultural foundation. There are no preconceived slogans: there is a narrative that starts from the land, from the vineyard, and the daily gesture. There are no one-off operations. The enhancement of Vulture, for Emanuela, begins with stewardship. From old vines that are not uprooted but brought back to life. From the choice to revive historical roots instead of replacing them with quicker solutions. It is a form of silent, almost political resistance: regenerating the vinicultural heritage means protecting the territory, its economy, and its memory. A daily job that is worth more than any promotional campaign.

Here, care is not an isolated gesture, but an agricultural and cultural presence. There are no slogans created at a drawing board: there is a narrative that starts from the land, from the vineyard, from the daily gesture. There are no one-off operations. The enhancement of Vulture, for Emanuela, comes from stewardship. From old vines that are not uprooted but brought back to life. From the choice to restart historical roots instead of replacing them with quicker solutions. It is a form of silent resistance, almost political: regenerating the wine heritage means protecting the territory, its economy, and its memory. A daily job that is worth more than any promotional campaign.

The story of Vigne Mastrodomenico begins in the 1970s, when Emanuela's father – a Puglian agronomist – transforms six hectares of arable land into a vineyard. A technical choice, certainly, but also a visionary act. Rooted vines selected, one by one. Rows designed by studying the winds, avoiding any counter-current exposure. A harmonic system, which still proves relevant today. Emanuela, on the other hand, had taken a different path. Law studies, a doctorate in Turin, the idea of becoming a magistrate. Then the return. Not imposed, but chosen. The return to the land, to the family, to the project. To sales, to marketing, to the storytelling of wine. With her brother, with her father, and today with her husband who has fully entered the project. In the beginning, they sold grapes. Aglianico del Vulture, in large quantities. Then the transition to their in-house winemaking, the birth of the brand, the construction of an identity. The vineyard remains the center. It is there that everything began. It is from there that the wine takes shape.

The story of Vigne Mastrodomenico begins in the 1970s, when Emanuela's father – a Puglian agronomist – transforms six hectares of arable land into a vineyard. A technical choice, certainly. But also a visionary act. Selected cuttings, one by one. Rows designed by studying the winds, avoiding any counter-exposure. A harmonic planting, which today still proves relevant. Emanuela, on the other hand, had taken a different path. Law studies, a doctorate in Turin, the idea of becoming a magistrate. Then the return. Not imposed, but chosen. The return to the land, to the family, to the project. To sales, to marketing, to the storytelling of wine. With her brother, with her father, and today with her husband who fully enters the project. At first, they sold grapes. Aglianico del Vulture, in quantity. Then the transition to their own winemaking, the birth of the brand, the construction of an identity. The vineyard remains the center. It is there that everything is born. It is from there that the wine takes shape.

Joining the FIVI was not a strategy, but a natural progression.

A shared purpose with other independent winemakers who share the same vision: to protect the territory starting from the land. The choices of today for a tomorrow full of unknowns. In this excellent space, Emanuela shared her testimony to the last National Assembly of FIVI Winemakers held last November at the Wine Market in Bologna. This event is an important moment of sharing and discussing problems, successes, ideas, and projects for the members. Producers from all over Italy find in the Association a fertile network of like-minded individuals, but different territories and situations in which to operate. Exchange and mutual support thus becomes a precious and irreplaceable commodity. Starting with the regional delegations.

A commonality of intent with other independent winemakers who share the same vision: to protect the land starting from the earth. The choices of today for a tomorrow full of uncertainties. In this excellent space, Emanuela brought her testimony to the last National Assembly of FIVI Winemakers that took place last November at the Wine Market in Bologna, which is an important moment of sharing and discussing problems, successes, ideas, and projects for the members. Producers from all over Italy find in the Association a fertile network of figures with the same philosophy, but different territories and situations in which to act. Exchange and mutual support thus become precious and irreplaceable commodities. Starting from the regional delegations.

"Today's wine - Emanuela explains - cannot be a product of fashion. It must be the product of the grape. Climate change has altered the balances of Aglianico: higher degrees, different acidity, new agronomic challenges. It requires expertise, study, and the ability to adapt." For this reason, the philosophy evolves towards a specific direction: working by subtraction. Removing the superfluous, allows the soul of the wine to emerge. Innovation, yes, but only when it makes sense. Even amphorae, if needed. Otherwise, no. "With both feet on the ground - Emanuela emphasizes - always."

"Today's wine - Emanuela recounts - cannot be a product of trends. It must be the child of the grape. Climate change has altered the balances of Aglianico: higher degrees, different acidity, new agronomic challenges. It requires expertise, study, and adaptability." For this reason, the philosophy evolves towards a precise direction: working in subtraction. Removing the superfluous, allowing the soul of the wine to emerge. Innovate, yes, but only when it makes sense. Even amphorae, if needed. Otherwise, no. "With both feet on the ground - Emanuela emphasizes - always."

Then comes 2023. After difficult years of pandemic and downy mildew, the fire.

A fire, fueled by drought and common agricultural practices such as stubble burning, hits the farm. A traumatic, sudden event that put everything at risk. The response is immediate. With humility, Emanuela launches a crowdfunding campaign. The response is broad and supportive. It is a sign that wine, when it's genuine, creates community. From that moment, a new awareness is born. Agricultural, Civic, Cultural. The need for thoughtful viticulture. Of a real protection of the landscape. Of a national law that prohibits stubble burning in the summer, especially near vineyards and olive groves. As if that weren't enough, an administrative battle also arises. A revocation procedure linked to the PSR (Regional Rural Development Program), initiated despite the force majeure communication. The farm appeals, and the judge rules in its favor. Another test of resilience. Another demonstration that doing agriculture today also means being vigilant, knowing the laws, and defending one's work.

A fire, fueled by drought and still common agricultural practices such as burning stubble, hits the farm. A traumatic, sudden event that puts everything at risk. The reaction is immediate. With humility, Emanuela launches a crowdfunding campaign. The response is broad and supportive. It is a sign that wine, when it's genuine, creates community. From that moment, a new awareness is born. Civic, agricultural, cultural. The necessity of thoughtful viticulture. Of a real protection of the landscape. Of a national law that prohibits the summer burning of stubble, especially near vineyards and olive groves. As if that weren't enough, an administrative battle also arises. A revocation procedure linked to the Rural Development Program, initiated despite the force majeure communication. The farm appeals, and the judge rules in its favor. Another test of resilience. Another demonstration that doing agriculture today also means being vigilant, knowing the laws, and defending one's work.

But those who come to Rapolla do not find a constructed experience. They find a story.

Walk among the rows, the scars left by fire, the vines that come back to life. A direct, simple, authentic contact. Wine becomes a gateway to something greater: culture, rural civilization, the memory of a place. An experience that is not a spectacle, but a relationship.

Walk among the rows, the scars left by fire, the vines that come back to life. A direct, simple, authentic contact. Wine becomes a gateway to something greater: culture, peasant civilization, the memory of the place. An experience that is not a spectacle, but a relationship.

The new vintage, 2025, will be the first after the fire. A different wine. A wine of heart and soul. It will also mark a new phase of the family, with new balances and a renewed creative energy. It will be the liquid story of what has happened, of resilience, of change. And perhaps it will be the right moment to return here, with a glass in hand, and resume a conversation left unfinished. Because some stories need time to be understood. And others, like this one, need to be sipped .

The new vintage, 2025, will be the first after the fire. A different wine. A wine of heart and soul. It will also mark a new family phase, with new balances and a renewed creative energy. It will be the liquid story of what has happened, of resilience, of change. And perhaps it will be the right moment to return here, with a glass in hand, and resume that conversation left hanging. Because some stories need time to be understood. And others, like this one, need to be sipped.

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