Carbone Vini

Two siblings, Luca and Sara, so in love with a dream that they decided to leave other paths and careers behind to become winemakers.

Most of the vineyards they now care for are the result of another dream, that of two other Carbone brothers – Vittorio (father of Luca and Sara) and Enzo – who, in the early 1970s, chose two breathtaking locations, Monte Lapis and Piani dell’Incoronata in Melfi, where they planted grapes and produced Aglianico wine.

By the late 1980s, new challenges awaited the Carbone brothers, who decided to continue growing grapes but no longer had time for winemaking. The pause lasted until the 2000s when Luca made the firm decision to become a farmer, convinced that he wanted to focus solely on vineyard work (“At most, I’ll be the cellar master,” he would proudly say). Meanwhile, Sara, who had long lived with a suitcase under her bed, was eager to organize everything so he could do just that.

This led to the formation of an unusual duo, constantly debating the wines they should make. However, they always agreed on one thing: good vineyard work is essential, and bottling something that does not convince them first would be a grave mistake. From these shared values, Carbone Vini was born—anchored in family history, rooted in the hills of Melfi, and driven by a deep respect for their land.

Today, Carbone Vini continues to cultivate the legacy of both generations, crafting wines that reflect the unique character of their terroir.

In 2005, they carried out their first Aglianico vinification and began planning their winery, underground barrel cellar, and new vineyards. Today, they cultivate 8 hectares under organic farming, producing approximately 25,000 bottles per year.

Carbone Winery stands in a symbolic location for the region, right above the first historic crater of the Vulture complex: Toppo San Paolo, in the Braide area. This is where grapes become wine. The underground barrel cellar, located in the heart of Melfi’s historic center, is the perfect place for aging wine, thanks to its stable temperature and natural humidity. Here, their two most important Aglianico labels, 400 Some and Stupor Mundi, mature.

Visiting the barrel cellar is like taking a journey through time. The layers of volcanic eruptions tell the story of the Vulture’s geological formation, while the pickaxe marks left from excavation and the stone arches, built over the centuries to stabilize the structure, narrate the story of the people. They define themselves as modern artisans who, upon waking, look at the sky but rush to the cellar to rack wines without checking the moon. They firmly believe that only two ingredients are needed to produce great wines: healthy grapes and time.