Roseann, Karen and I spent two weeks in Southern Italy this past fall. Roseann’s sister Cathy and her husband Mel joined us part way through the trip. The first two days we stayed at Lo Scrigno B&B, a short walk to the center of Montemiletto, Avellino. The B&B, which is centrally located in the Irpinia wine region, served as an excellent base for wine tours.
We visited the Montemiletto based DeSantis winery (our first visit); and three other wineries located near Montemiletto that we have visited several times: Bambinuto, Molettieri and Perillo. The four wineries are small family owned operations with annual productions of a low of 15,ooo bottles to a high of 70,000 bottles. The vineyards have been owned by their respective families for decades and in some cases for over a century. All but Bambinuto feature outstanding Taurasi wines; Bambinuto features an outstanding Greco di Tufo.
DAY ONE
Lo Scrigno B&B
hall at Lo Scrigno B&B
Backyard of Lo Scrigno B&B
Bathroom in our room at Lo Scrigno B&B
DeSantis
Bob, Fabio, Fabio’s friend and Alberto (0wner of cantina)
Karen, Bob and Fabio at DeSantis cantinaFabio explaining the label design at DeSantis cantina
Fabio, Bob and Alberto discussing DeSantis wines at DeSantis cantina
DAY TWO
Montemiletto
Center of Montemiletto, Avellino on a September Sunday morningMontemiletto, Avellino on a September Sunday morning
Bambinuto
Gaetano with Anna enjoying lunchKaren, Marilena, Ro and Bob with ricotta pie and zeppole (fried dough)
Bob and Marilena at Bambinuto cantina
home made fusilli and Greco di Tufo beer
wine and food spread at Bambinuto cantina
Marilena’s daughter Anna with the display that she arranged.
Marilena and Franco with Anna and Camillo and Karen, Bob and Roseann
Molettieri
Bob, Karen, Salvatore Molettieri and Roseann at Salvatore’s cantinaMolettieri wines at the cantina tasting room
Karen with Salvatore Molettieri reviewing a certificate enumerating one of his many awards of excellenceKaren, Gaetano and Salvatore Molettieri at Salvatore’s cantina
Gaetano, Salvatore, Guiseppe, Paolo, Bob and Karen at Molettieri tasting roomRo at Salvatore Molettieri’s tasting room
Bob, Karen and Salvatore in front of one of Salvatore’s big Slovenian oak barrels
Perillo
Felicia and Nicola assisting with barrel tasting at family Perillo cantinaFelicia Perillo drawing wine from barrel for barrel tasting
Karen and Roseann at Petrillo cantinaMichele, Anna, Ro, Gaetano and Karen at Perillo cantina
