Brunella and Federico Basso plus the Mascot
Villa Raiano and the love of Irpinia, Campania
Campania is where my wife’s mother and family is from. She (Anna) was born on the beautiful Isle of Capri in 1911. When Anna was a child, her family came to America and opened a business in Hoboken, New Jersey, the home of Frank Sinatra.
What I learned from Anna was how proud and loyal she was to Campania, its people and the land. The rolling hills along the Amalfi Coast to Naples and Avellino is dotted with walled villages, ancient ruins and towering churches.
Campania is a land full of vineyards, pizza made famous in Naples, special lemons for the production of limoncello and prize buffalo milk for the making of mozzarella di bufala. Gastronomically, with the sea nearby and spaghetti alla vongole on every table, its hard not to love the epicurean delights of Campania.
San Marzano tomatoes thrive in the volcanic soil that is the base for many vineyards in Campania. Winemaking began in the 7th century B.C.
On a recent trip to Campania, I had the opportunity to spend time with the Basso family, a family proud of their background. Campania meant as much to them as my mother-in-law. Choosing to show us Pompeii and Pasteum was of equal value as showing us their winery and olive oil factory.
Pride is how you can describe those from Campania.
In today’s world, the Basso family and their dedication to their region rings strong among the chaos the 21st century has shown us.
Villa Raiano, near Avellino, an hour or so from Naples, is home and namesake of the vineyard.
” Irpinia is our land” was the title of the booklet that one of the new faces of Villa Raiano, Brunella Basso handed out upon arrival to the vineyard. Her cousin, Federico Basso, brother of Brunella, is the other new face at Villa Raiano. Between the two of them they will run and market their wines worldwide.
Fabrizio Basso, a cousin, is an integral part of the other family jewel, Basso olive oil. During his free time, he hangs out at the vineyard.
Villa Raiano produces 300,000 bottles a year, with a capacity to add another 150,000 bottles when the time comes. Fortunato Sebastiano is their consultant winemaker and Gabrizia Cellai is responsible for overseas sales, along with marketing guru, Brunella Basso.
The staff at Villa Raiano is tight knit. No egos, just positive energy.
And the positive energy carries over to their wines. The indigenous varieties of Campania carry over to high quality wines, whose characteristic is the terroir of Irpinia.
Tradition is what Villa Raiano is about.
”Irpinia is our land”
Fertile land of Irpinia, daughter of the Wolf, proud
of its traditions and history, just like us, who
in this land, in our land, have decided to carry
Villa Raiano and the love of Irpinia, Campania
Campania is where my wife’s mother and family is from. She (Anna) was born on the beautiful Isle of Capri in 1911. When Anna was a child, her family came to America and opened a business in Hoboken, New Jersey, the home of Frank Sinatra.
What I learned from Anna was how proud and loyal she was to Campania, its people and the land. The rolling hills along the Amalfi Coast to Naples and Avellino is dotted with walled villages, ancient ruins and towering churches.
Campania is a land full of vineyards, pizza made famous in Naples, special lemons for the production of limoncello and prize buffalo milk for the making of mozzarella di bufala. Gastronomically, with the sea nearby and spaghetti alla vongole on every table, its hard not to love the epicurean delights of Campania.
San Marzano tomatoes thrive in the volcanic soil that is the base for many vineyards in Campania. Winemaking began in the 7th century B.C.
On a recent trip to Campania, I had the opportunity to spend time with the Basso family, a family proud of their background. Campania meant as much to them as my mother-in-law. Choosing to show us Pompeii and Pasteum was of equal value as showing us their winery and olive oil factory.
Pride is how you can describe those from Campania.
In today’s world, the Basso family and their dedication to their region rings strong among the chaos the 21st century has shown us.
Villa Raiano, near Avellino, an hour or so from Naples, is home and namesake of the vineyard.
” Irpinia is our land” was the title of the booklet that one of the new faces of Villa Raiano, Brunella Basso handed out upon arrival to the vineyard. Her cousin, Federico Basso, brother of Brunella, is the other new face at Villa Raiano. Between the two of them they will run and market their wines worldwide.
Fabrizio Basso, a cousin, is an integral part of the other family jewel, Basso olive oil. During his free time, he hangs out at the vineyard.
Villa Raiano produces 300,000 bottles a year, with a capacity to add another 150,000 bottles when the time comes. Fortunato Sebastiano is their consultant winemaker and Gabrizia Cellai is responsible for overseas sales, along with marketing guru, Brunella Basso.
The staff at Villa Raiano is tight knit. No egos, just positive energy.
And the positive energy carries over to their wines. The indigenous varieties of Campania carry over to high quality wines, whose characteristic is the terroir of Irpinia.
Tradition is what Villa Raiano is about.
”Irpinia is our land”
Fertile land of Irpinia, daughter of the Wolf, proud
of its traditions and history, just like us, who
in this land, in our land, have decided to carry
On the family business
Identity of a place,
Identity of a place,
identity of ancient flavors.
The estate at Villa Raiano was established in 1996 by Simone and Sabino Basso and brother-in-law Paolo Sibillo. The property has over 40 acres, planted around the hills of the ‘Irpinia’ area in Avellino. Classic wines from the region are produced: Fiano di Avellino, Greco di Tufo, Falaghina, Aglianico and Taurasi.
The wines from Villa Raiano plus the small batch Grappa and Sparkling wine are worthy of an article on their own, which, will be posted shortly.
The winery, with gravity feed, is a work of art and should be seen if you are in or near the Avellino area. Trains leave daily from Naples.
The Basso's and their mascot will greet you with open arms?
Visit www.VillaRaiano.com to learn more about this wonderful Irpinia winery.
Philip S. Kampe
The estate at Villa Raiano was established in 1996 by Simone and Sabino Basso and brother-in-law Paolo Sibillo. The property has over 40 acres, planted around the hills of the ‘Irpinia’ area in Avellino. Classic wines from the region are produced: Fiano di Avellino, Greco di Tufo, Falaghina, Aglianico and Taurasi.
The wines from Villa Raiano plus the small batch Grappa and Sparkling wine are worthy of an article on their own, which, will be posted shortly.
The winery, with gravity feed, is a work of art and should be seen if you are in or near the Avellino area. Trains leave daily from Naples.
The Basso's and their mascot will greet you with open arms?
Visit www.VillaRaiano.com to learn more about this wonderful Irpinia winery.
Philip S. Kampe
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