Destination Monte Vulture

"Wine to Love"

Monte Vulture is a magnificent dormant volcano, which houses two small lakes. Surrounded by towns known for their vineyards and olive groves, the rich soil of Vulture produces high-quality local products.

The surrounding land is home to the highly regarded wine, Aglianico del Vulture, which was awarded the DOC quality assurance label in 1971 and the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) status in 2011. The ancient origins of Aglianico del Vulture date back to the 6^th century BC.

Among the towns that produce Aglianico del Vulture are Barile, Lagopesole, Melfi, Rapolla, Rionero in Vulture, Ripacandida and Venosa. Each town is unique for its own cuisine, customs and ornate churches and monuments. Lagopesole and Melfi are home to famous medieval castles while Venosa is home to ancient Roman baths and Jewish catacombs.

Numerous films have been shot in the area, including Domenico Fortunato’s 2018 "Wine to Love" starring Ornella Muti. A romantic comedy, the film sheds light on winemakers in Basilicata balancing the traditions of their ancient land while keeping up with a global, contemporary market.

If you enjoy food, wine and history, this part of Basilicata is not to be missed. Check out this short video I made from shots I took while driving towards Rionero in Vulture..

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