16 April 2018

The next installment of our Meet the Maker series is with Antonio Capaldo of Feudi di San Gregorio, the groundbreaking winery in Campania. Long-time pioneers in promoting Southern Italy, Feudi only produces wine from local, native varieties; upholding traditions of the past with a vision for the future.

1. The very first thing one reads on your website is that a “bottle of wine and a work of art share the same creative process.” Tell us about this belief and how it shapes the vision and activities of Feudi di San Gregorio.

   [caption id="attachment_6207" align="aligncenter" width="950"] The Winery - by Feudi di San Gregorio
   
   Wine is a pleasure. When a customer selects our wines, they decide that we represent the right partner in a moment of pleasure. We need to keep this in mind every day when we work. We need to match the customer’s expectations and we need to leave them with the idea of drinking our wines again. This is what I mean by saying that we follow a process similar to art: we try to create unique pieces for unique occasions.

2. Speaking of your website, it is a work of digital art in its own right. It is an interactive experience, it submerges the user into the world of Feudi. How do you carry this online experience offline, in the actual winery?

   [caption id="attachment_6189" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Chefs at Marenna - by Feudi di San Gregorio
   
   It took us time to reproduce, through our website, the sense of hospitality we transfer to our visitors every day. And, of course, the real experience remains way better than the digital one!! We receive over 30,000 visitors every year thanks to the architectural design of our winery (opened in 2004 and exposed twice at La Biennale of Architecture in Venice), the attraction represented by our Michelin starred restaurant Marennà, but most importantly the warmth and the professional attitude of our people in the hospitality department.

3. The overall feeling of Feudi seems to be viewing past practices and history through a modern, contemporary filter. How does this mentality dictate your process of winemaking?

   [caption id="attachment_6187" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Vines - by Feudi di San Gregorio
   
   Campania has a very long viticultural history and we love this legacy. It left us with incredible native varietals which allow us, together with our volcanic soils and the peculiar climate conditions, to produce great and unique wines. It also left us many pre-phylloxera (a pest that wiped out vineyards across Europe in the 19^th century) vines which led to a cache of great farming expertise in the area, which remains the cornerstones of our production philosophy. Therefore we are very thankful of this heritage but we try to re-interpret this every day in light of present times, knowing that the world changes, that technology matters and that our purpose is to produce you want to drink at least a second glass of!

4. What is it that Feudi di San Gregorio is trying to evoke with their wines? Artwork elicits reactions and emotions. What type of reactions do you wish your wines to elicit?

   [caption id="attachment_6185" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Luigia - by Feudi di San Gregoria
   
   Energy and sense of familiarity.

5. As a member of The Grand Wine Tour, Feudi di San Gregorio is acknowledged for its outstanding hospitality. What can guests expect when visiting the winery?

   [caption id="attachment_6193" align="aligncenter" width="950"] A guided tour - by Feudi di San Gregorio
   
   Besides our Michelin star restaurant (a meal can be of course paired with a winery visit and a tasting), we offer several packages for visitors: guided tours to the winery, guided tours to the vineyards and targeted tastings (to one varietal for instance, etc). We also have a limited number of guest rooms.

The Grand Wine Tour is a mark of excellence in hospitality distinguishing Italian wineries throughout the country. Book your tasting and tour today!