Lettera3 2020 Aurete

Aurete: The Renaissance of Artisan Wine in the Aurunci Mountains

Aurete is a winemaking project born in 2016 in Esperia, southern Lazio, from the meeting of three friends united by a shared vision: to restore identity, value, and vitality to a forgotten yet historically rich territory. Nestled between the Aurunci Mountains and the Tyrrhenian Sea, their work focuses on small plots cultivated with utmost respect for the environment, biodiversity, and native grape varieties. The name Aurete is inspired by one of the districts where the first vineyard was established, evoking the golden hue of the land and the light that guides those who work with sincerity.

Agricultural Philosophy and Cellar Approach

Aurete’s vision is grounded in living, regenerative agriculture, following the principles of biodynamics and organics. In the vineyard, all work is done manually, without systemic products, seeking the natural balance of the plant and soil. The cellar is an extension of the vineyard: here, wines are vinified in terracotta amphorae or Clayver, with spontaneous fermentations, no corrective interventions, and long aging on the lees. The goal is not to correct but to accompany the wine in expressing the character of the place and the vintage.

Identity Grapes and Rural Memory

A distinctive feature of Aurete is the recovery of unknown or forgotten native varieties such as Raspato Nero and Reale Bianca. These grapes, selected from old vines that survived abandonment, have been officially recognized and registered in the National Register. Their value is twofold: on one hand, they tell the agricultural history of southern Lazio; on the other, they yield wines deeply connected to the territory, difficult to assimilate into standardized styles.

The Wines: Liquid Authenticity Between Amphora and Concrete

Thero

Thero is a macerated white from Reale Bianca and Trebbiano. It ferments on the skins in amphora and ages on the lees for several months. On the nose, it evokes yellow fruit, chamomile, and a hint of iodine. On the palate, it’s textured, vibrant, with delicate tannins and great coherence between aroma and taste.

Raptor

Raptor is a red from Raspato Nero vinified with skin maceration in amphora. It expresses aromas of small red fruits, spices, and underbrush. The sip is fresh, elegant, with silky tannins and a gustatory dynamic that invites drinking.

Sauro

Sauro is made from pure Syrah. The grapes ferment spontaneously in amphora, with subsequent aging in Clayver. On the nose, blackberry, black pepper, bay leaf, and licorice emerge. On the palate, it’s deep, dark, yet never heavy, thanks to natural freshness and surprising finesse.

Gonzo Bianco and Gonzo Rosso

The Gonzo wines represent Aurete’s more everyday and spontaneous soul. Vinified in concrete, without prolonged macerations, they focus on drinkability and freshness. The Bianco smells of citrus, wildflowers, and sea salt. The Rosso plays between crunchy red fruits and light spicy notes, with an agile and direct sip.

Aurete is much more than a winery: it’s an act of love towards a territory often overlooked but rich in potential. Its wines do not seek perfection but integrity. They speak with their own voice, reject shortcuts, and proudly tell the rugged and luminous beauty of the Aurunci Mountains. A project that unites land, time, and humanity, in a wine that leaves a mark.