Villa Matilde Winery

The premier producer reviving Falernian wine traditions. The Avallone family has spent decades researching Roman winemaking and replanting ancient varieties. Their Falerno del Massico wines are as close to tasting history as possible.

What to do there

5 things to do

1. 1 Read the Words That Started a 60-Year Obsession History · Free

   In the 1960s, a Neapolitan lawyer named Francesco Paolo Avallone was reading Pliny the Elder, Virgil, and Horace — the greatest writers of Rome. They all agreed: Falernian wine was incomparable. Virgil wrote it plainly — 'nothing can compare with Falernian.' Pliny ranked it #1 in all of Rome's Natural Historia. Horace wrote drinking instructions for it. And then in 60 BC, at a banquet honoring Julius Caesar for conquering Spain, the host served bottles of the Opimian vintage — a wine made in 121 BC, already 61 years old, from this exact land. Avallone decided he had to bring it back. He bought this property on Rome's ancient road (S.S. Domitiana 18, Cellole), partnered with professors from the University of Naples's Faculty of Agriculture, and spent years hunting 20 survivor vines on Monte Massico — pre-phylloxera clones that had outlasted everything. Their first vintage: 1976. Ask at reception for any printed materials on the Avallone family history, spend 10 minutes absorbing this before you taste a drop — the wine means more when you understand the 60-year obsession behind it.

   Backup: If reception is busy, the vineyard itself tells the story. Look south toward the Gulf of Gaeta, north toward the Roccamonfina volcano ridge. You're standing on Ager Falernus — the land Pliny designated as Rome's greatest wine territory 2,000 years ago.

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2. 2 Walk the Vineyard Where Rome's Greatest Wine Was Born Again Adventure · Free

   You're walking through 70 hectares on the slopes of an extinct volcano (Roccamonfina, last eruption 50,000 years ago) with the Gulf of Gaeta glittering to your west. This exact microclimate — volcanic mineral soil, Mediterranean breeze from the Gulf, three-sided protection from the Massico mountains — is why Pliny identified this land specifically in Natural Historia. The Caracci vineyard in front of you was planted in 1968, on volcanic soils rich in phosphorous and potassium, with cuttings from the 20 pre-phylloxera vines Avallone found on Monte Massico. All tastings at the Approach level and above (from €39/person) include a guided vineyard walk with sommelier Miriam — book via winedering.com or villamatilde.it. During the guided walk, look toward the horizon: on clear days you'll see both the Gulf of Gaeta and the Massico ridge that shelters the vines.

   Backup: If not on a guided tour, the vineyard perimeter is visible from the road and the winery terrace. Any Approach tasting (€39) or above includes the walk.

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3. 3 Taste the Wine Julius Caesar Drank — Then Taste Its Modern Resurrection Wine · Price: moderate

   At the tasting, you'll work through the Villa Matilde portfolio focused on the wines that Julius Caesar drank — then their modern resurrection. Falerno del Massico Bianco DOC — 100% Falanghina — is 'vinum album Phalanginum,' the ancient Romans' white Falernian. Pliny praised it for 'honeyed sweetness.' Taste: pineapple, banana, yellow peach, rose blossom, and a mineral finish from volcanic soil. The red Falernian (Aglianico + Piedirosso) powered Roman symposia. Most importantly, Vigna Camarato — the single grand cru Aglianico from Roccamonfina volcano slopes, made only in deserving vintages. James Suckling scored the 2016 at 90 points. Book the Classic tasting (€47/person, 5 wines + local delicacies + cellar/vineyard tour) at the Villa Matilde tasting room via winedering.com or villamatilde.it — minimum 2 people, all by appointment.

   Backup: If Vigna Camarato is sold out at tasting (limited vintage), ask about purchasing a bottle from the estate shop. It retails for €25–50 and is the reason to fly here.

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4. 4 Climb Monte Massico — See the Land Rome Called the Most Fortunate on Earth Adventure · Free · Optional

   This 2–4 km walk (30 minutes to 2 hours, 254m elevation gain to 427m) takes you up the limestone ridge that IS the Ager Falernus — the ancient appellation. From the top on clear days, you see the full sweep of Campania Felix that the Romans called the most fortunate land on earth: the Gulf of Gaeta to the west, Vesuvius on the horizon to the south, Ischia island in the sea, the Partenio mountains to the east. The same volcanic soil, the same sun, the same sea breeze that supplied the wine shops of Rome. Start at the Monte Massico trailhead near Falciano del Massico — 15 minutes drive from Villa Matilde along the SP335 (GPS: 41.1621, 13.9348). Allow 2–3 hours total for a leisurely ascent with views.

   Backup: If driving or hiking isn't possible, the panoramic road (SP335/Via Provinciale) between Cellole and Falciano del Massico offers dramatic views of the vineyards and Gulf of Gaeta without leaving your car.

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5. 5 Pair Mozzarella di Bufala With Falerno — As the Romans Would Have Wine · Price: low · Optional

   Cellole sits inside the Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP production zone, and the Caserta version is the strongest-flavored regional style: 5% salt brine, firmer texture, what locals call a 'slightly wilder flavor' compared to Salerno. Romans ate fresh curd cheeses from the same herds that have grazed this coastal plain for 2,000 years. Pair room-temperature just-made Caserta mozzarella with the Falero del Massico Bianco DOC — the minerality and honeyed Falanghina cuts through the richness perfectly. Buy an estate bottle from Villa Matilde's shop (approximately €12–18/bottle), drive 5 minutes south toward Mondragone, stop at any caseificio for fresh mozzarella (€4–6 per 250g ball), and find a spot near the Gulf of Gaeta at Baia Domizia beach — 10 minutes from the winery.

   Backup: Villa Matilde's Classic tasting includes local cheeses and charcuterie already — the estate handles this pairing perfectly if you don't want to DIY.

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Insider tips

• Book the historical tour that explains Roman winemaking techniques

• Try the Vigna Camarato - their top Falerno del Massico

• Ask about their archaeological research on ancient grape varieties

• Pair with local mozzarella di bufala from nearby Caserta