About Us
Basilicata is not the most obvious starting point for a young man from Chester to start his first adventures in the global wine industry. Yet the zone around Monte Vulture has without doubt provided me with the inspiration to cultivate a passion for wine and the culture that surrounds the appreciation of this endless pleasure.
When I arrived in the tiny village of Ginestra, located in the heart of the Aglianico del Vulture DOC zone, in the summer of 2005, I had no grasp of Italian and even less of an understanding of wine. Immersed though as I was in the sun scorched vineyards of one of Italy’s best but little known wines, I soon fell hopelessly in love with the bitter sweet cherry fruit and soaring perfumes of chocolate, coffee and liqourice that resonated from my glass. I was completely hooked and in the years that followed threw myself headfirst into as many wine regions, books, vineyards and more importantly bottles, as I could. I am now 5 years into my incredible journey through the world of wine and have amassed an uncountable collection of memories. Each bottle, each pulled cork and each glass, provide a backdrop for the highs and lows of life in and out of the wine industry.
I extended my tastes throughout the world and it wasn’t long before new passions developed. Within no time at all I was lost in the pleasures of Barolo and Brunello, comparing the poetry of Burgundy with the flash of Bordeaux. Wonderful aged Riesling with mineral and petrol on the nose soon grabbed my attention and I am sure I will always have a soft spot for Alsace Gewürztraminer. Although my tastes are rooted in the old world wines of Italy and France my pursuit of new wines regularly throws up fantastic surprises. The fruity yet earthy Malbecs of Argentina’s Mendoza region and New Zealand Pinots rarely disappoint.
The point of Cantina Caputo then is to share our passion for wine with anyone who is interested. To accompany our blog posts and general commentary on the world of wine, we offer a small range of boutique wines. Our stock changes rapidly as we constantly search for new and exciting wines but they will always express not only a sense of place but also the thoughts and philosophies of those who dedicate their lives to making them.
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Paul Caputo