Hailing from Irpinia, a region of Campania in Southern Italy, Greco di Tufo is a DOCG white wine produced exclusively in the vineyards surrounding the village of Tufo about ninety minutes inland from Naples. A clone of the Greco Bianco variety, Greco di Tufo delivers notes of lemons, pears and toasted almonds and a lingering minerality thanks to the volcanic ash from previous eruptions of Mount Vesuvius, and limestone tufa-rock found in the local soils.
The Greco grape has been around for centuries and is said to have been brought to Italy from Greece (thus the name). But it was Scipione di Marzo who first brought cuttings of Greco del Vesuvio from his hometown of Nola to replant in Tufo in 1647. At the time, the Kingdom of Naples and much of Southern Europe were beset by a plague. Scipione di Marzo sought refuge in the remote hills of Tufo.
Fortunately, both the health of Scipione di Marzo and the vine cuttings flourished in Tufo. Cantine di Marzo was officially registered with the Chamber of Commerce of Avellino as a Farm in 1833, thus resulting in being the oldest winery in Campania and among the oldest in Southern Italy.
Over time, the di Marzos acquired more land and built a large palazzo overlooking the valley of the Sabato river with a view of the Partenio mountains. A network of underground caves lies below the castle and the village of Tufo. The cellars are still used to produce Cantine di Marzo’s wines. The Greco di Tufo grapes are all estate-grown and sourced from select vineyards.
The discovery of sulfur mines in 1866 enhanced the family’s fortunes. Both their grape growing and sulfur mining and production also enriched the area. Tufo became an important settlement and center for trade.
As the family increased in size it also grew in impact with some serving as members of the Italian parliament and others forming noble unions. For a time, several family members were involved in the oversight of Cantine di Marzo. Now this role falls under the direction of Ferrante di Somma, whose mother is a di Marzo and whose father is Filippo di Somma, the 15th prince of Colle.
Ferrante di Somma studied wine commerce in Burgundy and managed export markets for Cantine di Marzo. He has lived in France, England and Russia and applies his international experience to leading the winery. He discusses the history of Cantine di Marzo’s past, present and future – along with the family’s role in the production of Greco di Tufo on The Connected Table.
Melanie Young and David Ransom share their impressions of their visit and tasting the wines at Cantine di Marzo during the 2025 edition of Campania Stories, a multi-day program spotlighting the wines and new vintages in the Campania region of Southern Italy.
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