La Fortezza is located in the heart of Sannio Benevento and spreads over a total of 20 hectares of vines. The winery is born from the great passion of the founder Enzo Rillo for his land. “La Fortezza” was built on the belief that making great wines starts in the vineyards and that the strength of the estate lies on the quality soil, sun exposure, altitude and care of the vineyards.
The project is based on the strong belief that producing a very good vintage is to express great love and strong passion for what they do, and to ensure the customers receive high quality wines with a stylish appeal.
Torrecuso, where La Fortezza is located, extends on the eastern side of the Regional Park of Taburno-Camposauro: the slopes are a continuous alternation of vineyards, woods and small fields, to which only in the last hours of the day the profile of Mount Taburno subtracts light and heat. Here the work of man - the diligent action of the peasant - has not ravaged, invaded nor defaced. A territory that is harsh yet generous, and that has decided to understand, deepen and know within the attachment we have for our land what the deepest meaning of the Samnite pride is: awareness and dimension of a freedom that once was only a desire to defend their land from the Roman armies, but that today is an attachment for what it represents and expresses in terms of culture, folklore and productions.
The province of Benevento has for centuries produced excellent grapes for excellent wines and represents about 40% of the vineyard area of the Campania Region. While they believe that "wine is made in the vineyard", their real strength actually consists of a mix of soil quality, sun exposure, altitude and care of the vineyard. Their vines Aglianico del Taburno are in such quantity that they permit them a careful selection in the vineyard for the different range of wines and guarantee the production of wines of the highest quality such as the Reserve, whose grapes come from a vineyard about seventy years of age.
Falanghina del Taburno benefits from a good sun exposure that brings an optimal result in terms of sugar content, aromas and acidity of the wine.
The cellar is located at the very heart of the vineyards. It is completely covered with stone and well-integrated into the surrounding landscape. It consists of two separate bodies. In the upper part is an enchanting place with a wonderful view towards the Apennines that separates Campania from Puglia. The underlying body opens over two medieval-style doors that are rigorously carved in solid wood, and it is home to the production activity - a perfect blend of tradition and modern technology. The barrel vaults are part of the aging room that is entirely covered with terracotta bricks and partly excavated in the tuff. This brings us back to the idea of the old "cellars" of the rural farmhouses - the places that were destined to conserve both wine and food. The processing room, the winemaking equipment, the bottling and labeling room, the steel tanks and the warehouse complete the cellar, with a potential production of about two million bottles.
Fortezza Falanghina del Sannio Taburno is made from 100% Falanghina - 25 years old
No oak.
Straw yellow color with greenish reflections. Fresh and floral scents, citrus aromas, apple, pear and mineral notes. Round, smooth and juicy with high acidity, yet well balanced with rich flavors.
Southeastern exposure with an altitude of 300-450 meters above sea level.
Planting density: 3,500 vines per hectare on average.
Training system: espalier with Guyot pruning.
Manual harvest in small crates between the end of September and beginning of October.
Winemaking in white in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature.
Pairs well with seafood, mozzarella cheese, risotto, white meats.
Fortezza Fiano DOC Sannio is made from 100% Fiano - 20 years old
No oak.
Straw yellow color with light green reflections. A rich bouquet of white flowers with mineral notes, freshnesss and elegance, good acidity and good body.
Southeastern exposure with an altitude of 250-350 meters above sea level.
Planting density: 3,500 vines per hectare on average.
Training system: espalier with Guyot pruning.
Manual harvest in small crates end of September.
Winemaking in white in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature.
Pairs well with seafood, grilled tuna, white meats.
Review:
" Clean and fruity with aromas of chopped apples, sliced pears and white peaches. Medium-bodied with a juicy, simple and refreshing palate. Drink now.”
- James Suckling (August 2022), 90 pts
Fortezza Greco DOC Sannio is made from 100% Greco - 20 years old
No Oak
A gold color; complex aromas of ripe fruits, candied fruit, honey. Soft and well-structured.
Southeastern exposure with an altitude of 250-350 meters above sea level.
Planting density: 3,500 vines per hectare on average.
Training system: espalier with Guyot pruning.
Manual harvest in small crates end of September.
Winemaking in white in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature.
Pairs well with fresh cheese, pasta with vegetables, vegetable soups.
Fortezza Veceta Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
Even tough the name LA VECETA is not present on the label, it is the name of the lady that is present on the front label. The Veceta is the "Lady" that wakes up very early in the Morning to go to work in the vineyard before the sun get too hot to work. On the label she is depicted in the center bent over the ground.
Brilliant straw yellow. On the nose it expresses itself with hints of peach, tropical fruits and citrus fruits and notes of white flowers. In the mouth it is intense, full, tasty and balanced and the notes of red peach perceived on the nose give way to peach in syrup in the mouth.Very versatile and extremely pleasant wine.
Ideal for cheering up an aperitif but goes well with fish-based dishes, fresh cheeses, salads and summer menus. Ideal for cheering up an aperitif but goes well with fish-based dishes, fresh cheeses, salads and summer menus.
All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
Walt Clos Pepe Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.
Deep ruby in color, the wine carries luscious fruit aromas of blackberry preserves and dark cherry, infused with exotic notes of spice, black tea and pomegranate. The palate opens to a dense and velvety texture laced with flavors of barrel char and salinity, leading to a structured and focused finish.
Review:
Big and rich, with luscious spiciness to the plush dark fruit and berry flavors that are supported by medium-grained tannins. There's plenty of creamy and toasty accents on the open-textured finish.
-Wine Spectator 93 Points
Another Sta. Hills release, the 2019 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard saw 10% stems and 10 months in 40% new French oak. It's a little more focused and firm, with classic ripe black raspberry, red plum, and cherry fruits as well as orange blossom, spice, and floral nuances. It too is medium-bodied, textured, and beautifully balanced.
-Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points