Volcanic wines are the result of an extraordinary meeting between nature and viticulture. Grapes that grow on volcanic soils are deeply influenced by the unique characteristics of these terrains, which impart a distinctive personality and pronounced minerality to the wines.

Regardless of whether the volcano is active, dormant, or extinct, the composition of lava-based soils creates an ideal environment for vine cultivation. These soils, in addition to being rich in minerals, offer excellent drainage and natural resistance to phylloxera. This allows for the cultivation of ungrafted vines, which can live for a long time, producing the renowned old vineyards capable of yielding intense, complex, and long-lived wines.

The Characteristics of Volcanic Wines

Wines produced on volcanic soils have distinctive traits that make them immediately recognizable. In particular:

• Minerality and sapidity: The mineral-rich soil gives the wines a saline profile and a vibrant aromatic expression.
• Sustained acidity: A key feature that keeps these wines fresh and age-worthy, especially the whites.
• Complex structure: Thanks to the interaction between grape variety, soil, and microclimate, volcanic wines display remarkable depth and complexity.

These qualities make volcanic wines stand out for their strong character and ability to evolve over time, becoming increasingly refined with bottle aging.

Italy’s Volcanic Wine Regions

Italy is the country that best expresses the variety and richness of volcanic wines, thanks to its geological composition. Volcanic soils extend from north to south, giving rise to unique denominations. Here are some of the main production areas:

• Northern Italy: Valsesia (Piedmont), Val di Cembra (Trentino), Soave, Lessini Durello, Gambellara, and Colli Euganei (Veneto).
• Central Italy: Pitigliano (Tuscany), Orvieto (Umbria), Tuscia, Montefiascone, Vignanello, Gradoli, and Castelli Romani (Lazio).
• Southern Italy: Irpinia, Roccamonfina, Campi Flegrei, Vesuvio, Ischia (Campania), Vulture (Basilicata).
• Islands: Mogoro (Sardinia), Etna, Aeolian Islands, and Pantelleria (Sicily).

Each region has developed its own winemaking style, using native grape varieties best suited to these unique soils, resulting in extraordinary territorial expressions.

Volcanic Wines: A Movement Bringing Producers Together

In recent years, interest in volcanic wines has grown internationally. In 2012, the Soave Consortium launched a project to create a network of producers united by the "volcanic factor," leading to the formation of the Volcanic Wines association. This organization brings together consortia of Italian volcanic wine denominations, wine shops, and municipalities that share the same geological origin.

On a global scale, Volcanic Wines International was established in 2018 to give visibility to producers worldwide. On June 18, 2024, in New York, the 4th International Conference on Volcanic Wines took place, serving as a key event for experts and wine enthusiasts.