Costa d'Amalfi Tramonti

Tramonti, meaning 'between the mountains,' sits in a green valley within the Monti Lattari mountains on the Sorrento Peninsula, comprising thirteen hamlets spread across roughly 500 hectares. Vineyards climb from 300 to 600 meters above sea level on steep terraced slopes, placing this sub-zone firmly in the category of heroic viticulture. The entire area forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Costiera Amalfitana.

• Elevation ranges from 300 to 600 meters above sea level
• Thirteen hamlets spread across a valley in the Monti Lattari mountains
• Steep terraced vineyards require fully manual harvesting
• Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Costiera Amalfitana

Tramonti's soils combine volcanic and limestone-rich material, including clay, volcanic pumice, and volcanic ash, a composition that partly explains why the area was spared the worst of the phylloxera crisis and retains some of Italy's oldest ungrafted vines. The climate is Mediterranean, with hot dry summers, mild winters, and abundant sunshine. Cooling breezes from the Tyrrhenian Sea and wide diurnal temperature variations preserve acidity and aromatic intensity in the grapes.

• Volcanic ash, pumice, clay, and limestone-rich soils define the terroir
• Volcanic soils contributed to surviving the 1880s phylloxera crisis with ungrafted vines intact
• Mediterranean climate with Tyrrhenian Sea breezes provides natural cooling
• Wide diurnal temperature variation preserves freshness and aromatic complexity

Tramonti grows the greatest number of indigenous grape varieties within the Costa d'Amalfi DOC. Red varieties include Piedirosso (also called Pèr e Palummo), Aglianico, the locally exclusive Tintore di Tramonti, and Sciascinoso (Olivella). White varieties include Falanghina, Biancolella, Pepella, and Ginestra. The sub-zone produces still red, white, and rosé wines. Tramonti Rosso has distinct blending rules: a minimum of 30% Piedirosso, a maximum of 50% Aglianico or Sciascinoso combined, and a minimum of 20% Tintore di Tramonti. A Riserva designation is available for reds aged at least two years, with a minimum of 12 months in barrel.

• Tintore di Tramonti is grown exclusively in this sub-zone
• Tramonti Rosso: minimum 30% Piedirosso, minimum 20% Tintore di Tramonti
• Riserva reds require 2 years total aging, including at least 12 months in barrel
• Eight indigenous varieties cultivated across red, white, and rosé styles

Wine production in the Costa d'Amalfi region traces back to ancient Greek and Roman times. Tramonti was historically an important agricultural center with a long viticulture tradition. The Costa d'Amalfi DOC was formally established in 1995. Tramonti's most remarkable historical distinction is its collection of pre-phylloxera ungrafted vines, some estimated to be 400-500 years old, that survived the devastating phylloxera crisis of the 1880s largely unscathed due to the protective volcanic soils.

• Costa d'Amalfi DOC established in 1995
• Wine production in the region dates to ancient Greek and Roman civilizations
• Pre-phylloxera ungrafted vines up to 500 years old still in production
• Volcanic soils protected vineyards from the 1880s phylloxera outbreak