It is the oldest DOC in Italy. It was 1966 when the island of Ischia obtained the important recognition, to seal the multi-millennial history of its viticulture.

And of the undisputed quality of its wines, recognized across the seas as early as the 15th and 16th centuries. Wines in the plural, because it was Ischia in its various forms that deserved the Denomination of Controlled Origin: white, superior white, sparkling white and red. Together with the nectar of three historical vines: the most famous and representative Biancolella, also called "Greek grape", which is grown exclusively on the island, and the other white grape variety, Forastera, with the red grape variety Piedirosso, called in dialect “Per 'e palummo”, because the red stem resembles the leg of a pigeon.

A modern record for the island, achieved fifty-five years ago, which adds to and connects to the ancient record: it was the Greek colonists who founded Pithekoussai, the first settlement of Magna Graecia, who introduced the cultivation of vines to their new land. An activity they already practiced in the Aegean homeland. The appearance of the vine on the island of Ischia dates back, in fact, to the eighth century BC. This is testified by the unequivocal traces of a vineyard and grape processing in the archaeological site of Punta Chiarito, in the Forio area. And to confirm how much the culture of wine and the "symposium" belonged to the life of the ancient Pithecusans is the famous Cup of Nestor with its poetic inscription, which alludes precisely to the consumption of fermented grape juice.

Then the vine has become an integral and characterizing part of the landscape on all sides of the island. Where different farming methods are practised: among Ischia, Campagnano and Barano, where the climate is more humid, the high Etruscan espalier is used, with plants supported by chestnut poles or live stakes a few meters high; on the side of Forio, where it rains less, the low espalier and the Greek-style sapling are used. Another characteristic element of the Ischia landscape is also linked to viticulture, namely the stone walls, the so-called "parracine", which support the hilly terraces intended for viticulture even in particularly inaccessible areas. 

The cultivation of vines was so widespread in Ischia as to occupy over 2600 hectares a century ago, reduced over time to just over 300 today. A drastic quantitative reduction compensated, however, by a strong investment in quality productions.