by Giovanni Bosi, Solopaca / Campania / Italy

Here, everything seems to flow at the slow rhythm of the harvest and rural ingenuity — even out of season. In the Sannio region of Campania, the small town of Solopaca has truly earned its title of “City of Wine.” Nestled at the foot of the Taburno-Camposauro massif, surrounded by vine-covered hills and caressed by the gentle breath of the Calore River, this is where, for over half a century, the Cantina Sociale di Solopaca has been expressing the most authentic soul of its land. It transforms generations of agricultural wisdom into wines that speak the language of territory, history, and passion — just steps away from the southern stretch of the ancient Via Francigena.

(TurismoItaliaNews) A cooperative symbol of Campania’s winemaking tradition. Founded in 1966 by twenty-five visionary farmers, the Cantina Sociale di Solopaca is today one of the oldest and most representative wine cooperatives in Campania. It brings together more than 600 member growers, cultivating around 1,300 hectares of vineyards across 17 municipalities, producing over 120,000 hectolitres of wine each year. These figures place Solopaca among the leading wine producers in southern Italy — but the cooperative’s true strength lies not in numbers. It lies in its devotion to the land, and its ability to blend tradition with innovation.

“Our vineyards stretch across a vast area - explains Carmine Coletta, president of the cooperative - where the Solopaca Doc was born — the first wine in the Sannio region to receive Denominazione di Origine Controllata status in 1974. Here we cultivate extraordinary varieties such as Falanghina and Aglianico, as well as Greco, Fiano, Coda di Volpe, and even the ancient Barbera Beneventana — each a story of biodiversity and the deep agricultural heritage of our land”.

The Solopaca Doc area includes not only the vineyards around Solopaca itself, but also those of Castelvenere, Guardia Sanframondi, San Lorenzo Maggiore, and parts of Cerreto Sannita, Faicchio, Frasso Telesino, Melizzano, San Lorenzello, San Salvatore Telesino, and Telese — a mosaic of hills where every parcel of land tells its own story.

The wine that seduced kings and generals

The wines of Solopaca have roots that reach back into the mists of time. Already appreciated during the Lombard and Bourbon eras, Solopaca gained legendary fame when Joachim Murat, King of Naples and brother-in-law of Napoleon, tasted it for the first time and declared: “This wine has the strength of an emperor!”. That same strength still flows in today’s wines — in the full-bodied, elegant, and long-lived Aglianico and Solopaca Doc reds, and in the sunlit freshness of Falanghina,

Where technology meets tradition

The Solopaca Winery is a model of modern cooperation that never loses sight of its roots. The winery boasts state-of-the-art vinification and bottling equipment, yet remains faithful to traditional methods. Grapes are harvested by hand, carefully selected, and vinified with precision and respect for their natural rhythms. The red wines age in fine wooden barrels, while in the autoclave hall, elegant sparkling wines are born — including the celebrated Falanghina Spumante Doc, the first sparkling Falanghina ever produced in Campania. Visitors can explore aging cellars, storage warehouses, a multi-purpose event hall, and a welcoming wine shop offering tastings and direct purchases — from easy-drinking everyday wines to structured reds meant for aging, and refined sparkling wines destined for gourmet dining.

Viticoltori San Martino: a sustainable future

In the rolling hills of Torrecuso, in the heart of the Taburno area, Solopaca has created “Viticoltori San Martino”, an innovative project dedicated to organic Falanghina and Aglianico grapes. This small-scale, boutique winery is designed to vinify limited quantities and highlight micro-terroirs, embracing sustainability, research, and the expression of place. Here, the past meets the future — in the hands of vintners who, each autumn, harvest the fruits of an ancient craft with modern precision and the same timeless passion that has shaped these lands for centuries.

Wine Tourism: a journey for the senses

A visit to the Cantina di Solopaca is not merely a wine experience — it’s a journey through the senses. Guests can explore vineyards, tour the winemaking facilities, and enjoy guided tastings paired with the traditional flavors of the Sannio Beneventano. From Pecorino cheeses to Caciocavallo Silano, from artisanal charcuterie to local honey, each pairing tells a story of authenticity and connection to the land. Whether stopping for a brief tasting or indulging in a full enotourism itinerary at sunset, when the rows of vines glow golden and the air smells of must, every experience is designed to connect visitors to the rhythm of the vineyard and the generosity of the Sannio.

The Sannio Beneventano: an untouched gem

Solopaca lies at the heart of a territory still untouched by mass tourism, yet rich in authenticity and charm. The province of Benevento — known as the Land of the Samnites, Lombards, and Witches — is a captivating patchwork of history and nature. From Sant’Agata de’ Goti to Cerreto Sannita, Cusano Mutri, and Guardia Sanframondi, ancient villages preserve cathedrals, castles, and centuries-old traditions. Nature lovers will find paradise in the Taburno-Camposauro Regional Park and the valleys of the Tammaro and Fortore, ideal for hiking, photography, and outdoor discovery. And when it’s time to pause, local trattorias and farmhouses offer traditional dishes paired with wines that taste of home — rustic yet noble, simple yet profound.

A toast to the future

Today, the Cantina Sociale di Solopaca continues to serve as both the economic and cultural engine of its region. Balancing innovation with deep roots, it stands as one of southern Italy’s most successful cooperative models — generating value, promoting sustainable tourism, and preserving the soul of the Sannio. Visitors who come to Solopaca discover not just a winery, but a community, a heritage, and an emotion — all captured in a single glass that carries the scent of earth, sun, and dignity. Because in the Sannio, wine is not just something you drink — it’s something you live.

To learn more
www.cantinasolopaca.it
www.viticoltorisanmartino.it

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