The young challenge of the Tortora sisters in the Irpinia of great wines

Two sisters and one common life project. Cultivated in both mind and heart since childhood, observing parents and grandparents who cultivated the land, property of the Tortora family for over a century, vegetables and especially grape vines for the flagship production of the family business, now definitely deserving of the adjective "historical ".

Firmly rooted in that, Antonia and Imma began to think of another one, completely different. To be built slowly, starting with their professionalism, because, from the beginning of that shared dream, passion had always been accompanied by concreteness, instinct and careful planning.
«I graduated in Viticulture and Enology in Naples, my sister instead studied to take care of the commercial part - says Imma - these are the roles that we have chosen in this common path. Between me and Antonia there are only seventeen months of difference, we grew up together in everything, only the studies were different, but still linked to the new challenge that we decided to face. Being sisters is the force that keeps us going and that supported us at the beginning of our enterprise, which almost coincided with the pandemic ".

 

Originally from Salerno, Antonia and Imma have decided to change, moving away from the family property, even if only seventy kilometers. A long reasoned decision, not aiming to affirm their autonomy, or at least not as main motivation, simply because they needed to work in area better fitting their project than the original one: «The family business, on the slopes of the Lattari, produces bulk wines, our different idea, however, led us towards productions of excellence, which required land in areas highly suited to quality viticulture. And so we arrived in Castelvetere ». Indeed, the right place, to start with, they found it in Irpinia, land of both great red wines and great whites in Castelvetere sul Calore. There they took over a pre-existing winery, they bought the brand to affirm the value of continuity and the link with the territory and so Aminea became their creature. That name, linked to the mythical Greek people who initiated viticulture in Naples and to the origins of the Falernian beloved by the Romans, was meant as good omen, especially in its female version. Like the imprint that Imma and Antonia immediately took care to give to their company, in line with their sensitivity and vision, which is that of two women and also very young.
The soils in the places most suited to viticulture
They immediately started renovating and innovating. «We have modified the labels - explains Imma - to make them more youthful and elegant. And then we are committed to business innovation, buying land in other areas of Irpinia linked to production of the highest quality. We made a preliminary study of the places to identify those most suited for different varieties of vines ». Therefore the four hectares of land owned today by Aminea correspond to the best production of Campania and national wineries: Aglianico from the vineyards of Montemarano and Castelvetere, where the winery is, Greco di Tufo from those of Tufo, Falanghina from Luogosano, while Fiano is from Lapio, «a particularly windy place that allows an organic production».
The hardest part of the commitment to the quality of the wines begins in the vineyards, because, underlines Imma, «we do not carry out special processes. After the pressing, the must ferments at a controlled temperature and we try to obtain a good aromatic profile for the whites, continuing the refinement in steel. For the reds we let them age on the peels at higher temperatures, then for the refinement we use American and French oak barriques. Taurasi, for example, needs a long time, in French oak barrels. According to the D.O.P. parameters, it can only be marketed after three years and in fact we will present it for the first time next November ». The tone of her voice, the way she talks about her wine, betrays the emotion of the young winemaker for a work done with love in all phases of her and her small and big daily challenges. And she has no difficulty in admitting that "we take care of that wine like a child".
There is an entire territory inside the glass
The communication of the many aspects that contribute to the final result is also part of the work of wine production, making each wine unique and its tasting an all round emotional and sensorial experience. In this process, valorizing the land and the context in which each wine is born and refined is fundamental. And the Tortora sisters, who moved to find the right places for the best wines, invested time and energy right from the start in setting up the cellar and the company to welcome enthusiasts into the world of Aminea. "In every bottle, in every glass - confirms Imma - there is hard work that we like to make known and share with those who appreciate these wines. Our intent, from the beginning of this adventure, has always been to enhance the territory from which our wines are born, which are also made of this land, this climate, this landscape. This is why we immediately started organizing events in the cellar. And we collaborate with an association for visits to the village of Castelvetere ". A convinced commitment, so precious in areas that, despite their extraordinary potential, keep on losing population and above all see many young people leave. «With Antonia we decided to take the opposite path - explains Imma - deciding to come, live and work here. We really believe in this territory, which has so much to tell with its resources, its uncontaminated nature. Whenever we manage to propose it and make it live at least for a day to those who did not know about it, the satisfaction is incredible. Like welcoming the locals in our cellar. This is why we need to get busy creating work even in small businesses. The potential for growth is there, we have to believe it».

The ancient and the new
They are doing it, adding ideas, planning, investments and working on a company history that is still young, which not even the impact with the hard phase of Covid has questioned. Thanks to the determination and tenacity of the two young ladies of wine, but also to the long family tradition in the viticulture sector. The family, that continues to carry on the oldest company, has never hindered Antonia's and Imma's project, on the contrary, they encouraged them to pursue and implement it even in the most delicate moments of the business. «It is the state and it is our strength, our family - underlines Imma - and the values passed on to us are decisive to make our way in this sector and to carry forward our business ideas. They consider the choice to invest in excellent wines as an added value also for their business and support us by sharing our great enthusiasm for the new ». Piece after piece, the renewal and growth of Aminea continues. The next goal is the enhancement of services related to welcoming and tasting in the cellar. Another progress for the company, but also for the area in which Antonia and Imma wanted to take root. Firm and strong in the good land. Where young women build the future