Basilisco

Overview

Estate

Basilisco is a boutique winery on the volcanic slopes of Monte Vulture in Basilicata, dedicated to expressing the unique character of Aglianico del Vulture. Housed in ancient lava grottoes in the historic village of Barile, the estate combines organic viticulture, old vineyards, and a respectful “grape-first” philosophy rooted in tradition and terroir.

Climate

Volcanic mountain microclimate influenced by altitude, with warm, dry summers, cool nights, and stable autumns.

Soil

Volcanic, tuffaceous, and clay soils, rich in minerals.

Vineyards

25 hectares of organic vineyards in Barile on Monte Vulture, between 1,476 and 1,968 feet above sea level, primarily planted with Aglianico grapes.

Cultivation

Organic viticulture using traditional pergola and Guyot training systems. Manual vineyard cultivation and hand-harvested grapes.

Winery

Historic winery located in the ancient lava grottoes of Via delle Cantine in Barile, where Aglianico del Vulture is produced and aged.

Family

The Capaldo Family owns Basilisco and is one of the leading families in Southern Italian wine through the Tenute Capaldo and Feudi di San Gregorio estates. Their vision combines deep respect for local heritage, sustainable viticulture, and the promotion of indigenous grape varieties across some of Italy’s most historic wine regions.

Winemaker

Viviana Malafarina oversees winemaking at Basilisco, guided by a philosophy centered on purity, elegance, and the authentic expression of Aglianico del Vulture. Her work emphasizes minimal intervention and a deep connection to the volcanic terroir of Monte Vulture, allowing the vineyards' character to emerge naturally in the wines.

Focus Point

• A “SuperNatural” winery: a new regeneration protocol beyond organic certification and codified “natural wine” practices. • The Vulture Volcano: an attractive yet largely unknown Italian terroir, out of time and space. • Aglianico, an intriguing indigenous varietal. • Eighty-year-old “Storico” vineyard using the traditional pergola technique. • “Grape first” – a natural and respectful approach to viticulture and winemaking (in 15th-century Tufo rock grottoes).