Vestini Campagnano, situated in Campania’s San Giovanni e Paolo zone, was the first winery to institute a research program dedicated to the study of the ancient Pallagrello and Casavecchia varieties, both of which went missing for hundreds of years and were quite nearly lost altogether. Interestingly, the former of these derives from a vine that produces both white and black grapes, and the variety is thought to be a relation of the Pilleolata grape, used in the production of the famous Falerno—the wine of Bacchus. Held in high esteem by the Bourbon Royal Family, it was served in the company of foreign wines to distinguished guests. Casavecchia possesses no less noble a history, as legend has it that a Casavecchia vine was one of the few vinous survivors of the phylloxera epidemic and various diseases that plagued southern Italy.

For several years, it was believed that Pallagrello had succumbed to the ravages of phylloxera. That theory was thrown out when lawyer Peppe Mancini chanced upon some prephylloxera Pallagrello vines that were being quietly tended by a few low-profile owners. Mancini put his discovery into motion quickly, founding the estate of Vestini Campagnano and becoming a full-time practitioner of the Pallagrellos and their fellow Campanian, Casavecchia. Attracted to the defining subjects of Vestini, oenological scholar Luigi Moio began a period of independent study dedicated to these grapes, thereafter formally assuming the role of oenologist at Vestini. In 1999, fellow attorney Alberto Barletta became a partner of Mancini, joining a revival that had already met with critical acclaim. Despite the success enjoyed by the wines, not all was happily settled in the kingdom of Campagnano: The attorneys dissolved their partnership in 2003, parting ways with a separation agreement that allowed Mancini to retain both Moio and the vineyard, but required him to relinquish the estate’s name.

Barletta assumed the direction of Vestini Campagnano, assisted by consulting oenologist Paolo Caciorgna, who has served in this capacity for over 25 discrete wineries, including Nicodemi and Fattoria Le Fonti, in addition to the venture known as Oriel, which represents the principal wine regions through winemakers who are recognized as foremost authorities of the terroir concerned. They continue to work with Vestini’s established varietal list while adding to its base three in Kaja Nero (a blend of Pallagrello Nero, Casvecchia, Aglianico, and Pizzutella), which debuted in the 2004 vintage.