With a history of nearly 400 years, Cantine di Marzo is the oldest winery in Campania still in operation and still owned by the direct descendants of the founding family.
Incredible events, pleasant and less pleasant stories, encounters with illustrious figures and tireless work: many things have happened in and around the historic building in Tufo (in the province of Avellino), which has always housed our Historic Cellar within its ancient medieval walls.
Although we could fill a voluminous book with them, we have selected some of the most important episodes in the history of our company.
Family legend has it that Scipione di Marzo fled the plague in San Paolo Bel Sito, near Nola, and moved to Tufo, bringing with him some plants from an ancient grape variety common on the Campania coast, identified as the “Greco del Vesuvio.”
Here he began construction of the Palazzo that incorporates the ancient town walls, currently home to the company and its historic cellars.
With an official deed filed with the Chamber of Commerce, the Azienda Agraria di Marzo (as it was called at the time) was officially founded.
It is the oldest winery in Campania and one of the first in all of Southern Italy.
Francesco di Marzo started the sulfur mining activity, which the Tufo subsoil was particularly rich in, providing employment for up to 800 people.
Senator Donato di Marzo, together with Senator Giustino Fortunato, promoted the construction of the Irpinia railway, which later became the “Wine Railway.”
This rail network increased trade between Irpinia and Europe, particularly with France, where the wine industry was experiencing severe difficulties due to the spread of phylloxera.
The first Classic Method sparkling wine ever produced in Campania is born. This achievement was made possible thanks to the close relationships the Di Marzo family has established with several French entrepreneurs and the work of Tufa-born winemaker Fiore Bottiglieri.
Alberto di Marzo helped bring Irpinia to the forefront of the national scene by organizing the “Principe di Piemonte” racing circuit.
Winner of the 5th edition was Tazio Nuvolari with the Ferrari team.
After the car race, the royal family (Prince Umberto II of Savoy and his wife Maria José of Belgium) went to Tufo to visit the mining company; for the occasion, the Royals were offered a vermouth made with Greco di Tufo, created especially for the occasion.
After decades of decline and neglect, and following the death of Marcella di Marzo, the company passed to her great-grandchildren Ferrante and Maria Giovanna di Somma, direct heirs of the di Marzos through their paternal grandmother.
The company’s commitment became daily and increasingly ambitious.
After a complete renovation of the production facilities, the Premium Line was born, a range of wines designed exclusively for the Ho.Re.Ca. market.
Ferrante di Somma, now the sole administrator of the company, entrusted the winemaking process to the visionary winemaker Vincenzo Mercurio.
This extraordinary collaboration gave rise to the company’s zoning project, which involves the separate vinification of each vineyard, resulting in the production of four Greco di Tufo DOCG Riserva crus: Vigna Serrone, Vigna Ortale, Vigna Laure, and Mulino Giardino, from the Torre Favale vineyard.
Born in 1930, the Greco di Tufo Spumante Metodo Classico dedicated to the memory of Filippo di Somma.
Didymos, a Greco di Tufo DOCG Riserva macerated and vinified in amphora, is presented.
With this wine, Cantine di Marzo explores a new dimension of Greco di Tufo.