We are thrilled to be hosting Massimo Alois from Italy this Friday 5-8pm. He is the son of Michele Alois who started the winery of the same name in 1992 in the Campania region of Italy in the town of Caserta. Until 1992 the family name Alois since 1855 was a name synonymous with the highest quality silk production that can be seen around the world at in famous places such as the Italian Parliament, the White House, and the Louvre in Paris.

Most of us know the Campania region for the well known city of Naples, and of course its pizza as well as Mt Vesuvius. It is also an area rich in wine history. The Alois winery and vineyard is situated at the base of the Caiatini Mountains in Caserta where in 1775 King Ferdinando IV planted a vineyard below a plateau where the Royal family’s Palace was built. The vineyard was designed in a fan shape around the palace by Luigi Vanvitelli a famous architect and engineer of the time. Today Michele has added vineyards to this original site and has resurrected some of the varietals that were near extinction. This includes Pallagrello Nero, Pallagrello Bianco, and Cassaveccia which were a few of the varietals originally planted for King Ferdinando. Following the phylloxera outbreak in the mid 19th centery , WWI, and WWII the plantings of this varietal and other indigenous grapes fell into decline until winemakers like Michele chose to replant them. Alois also produces wine from the local ancient varietals Falanghina and Alglianico. All of these grapes can be traced back to Roman times many of which were a part of the famed “Falernian” wine and all of them were written about by Pliny the Elder (23-79A.D.) in his work Naturalis Historicus.

Michele Alois has preserved an ancient history in these vineyards and makes wine with finesse and flavor that the Romans never experienced. Massimo will teach you about these wines and the history of this region as you taste each wine, all with names that come from the ancient Romans.Don’t worry he will also help you pronounce the names of these ancient varietals, with an Italian accent, of course.

Caulino $16.99, Caiati $20.99, Campole $16.99, Settimo $20.99, Murella $44.99