Traerte
Irpinia, Campania
Availability:
SA, VIC, NSW & TAS
“There is no better Coda di Volpe in Italy than Traerte’s; in fact, for my money, it’s one of Italy’s 25 greatest white wines.”
- Ian D'Agata, Vinous
Founded in 2011 by Raffaele Troisi, Traerte is the natural evolution of one of Irpinia's pioneering winemaking families. Having established the benchmark Vadiaperti estate alongside his father Antonio, Raffaele created Traerte to further explore the extraordinary potential of Irpinia's native varieties. Today, the estate focuses on Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo, crafting wines that capture the authenticity and individuality of this remarkable corner of Campania.
The name Traerte is inspired by the erte, the steep mountain slopes that define the landscape of Irpinia. Here, vineyards climb between 400 and 700 metres above sea level, with gradients often exceeding 15%, demanding viticoltura estrema, or "extreme viticulture". These high-altitude sites, together with ancient volcanic soils and a cool Apennine climate, provide ideal conditions for Fiano and Greco to develop exceptional freshness, mineral complexity and longevity.
Today, Traerte stands among the region's leading advocates for Irpinia's indigenous grapes, producing wines of remarkable purity, texture and precision. Distinctly mineral and built to age, they are compelling ambassadors for one of southern Italy's greatest white wine regions.
“Much like Roberto Conterno, Manni Nossing or Gunther Kershbaumer (the winermaker/owner of Kofererhof), Traerte’s Raffaele Troisi is one of those extremely talented individuals who can’t seem to make a bad wine. Look to Traerte for some of Campania’s best Fiano di Avellino wines (especially the cru Aipierti) and, more importantly, for both of its Coda di Volpe wines, the entry-level bottling and the cru Torama. Simply put, nobody makes a better Coda di Volpe wine in Italy. A white wine specialist, Troisi offers steely, minerally, precise interpretations of Fiano, Greco and Coda di Volpe. Another plus is that all of his wines age extremely well.” - Ian D’Agata, Vinous
Fiano Di Avellino DOCG/DOP
Traerte’s Fiano di Avellino is a blueprint expression of one of Irpinia’s most celebrated native varieties. Grown in the high-altitude vineyards of Località Vadiaperti in Montefredane, this is a wine shaped by steep slopes, clay soils and the cool mountain influences of inland Campania. Raffaele Troisi’s commitment to preserving the identity of Fiano is evident here, with a wine that balances aromatic complexity, texture and the mineral freshness that defines the finest examples of the appellation.
Winemaking
The fruit is hand-harvested from 20-30 year old vines at 400 metres above sea level on south-facing slopes. Fermentation takes place gently in stainless steel after careful pressing, preserving the purity and freshness of the variety. The wine is matured in bottle for several months before release, allowing the vineyard character and natural elegance of Fiano to fully emerge.
Tasting Notes
Bright straw yellow with greenish reflections. It offers an expressive nose of acacia flowers, orange blossom and white fruit, complemented by delicate herbal notes and a subtle hint of incense. The palate is harmonious and balanced, echoing the floral and fruit characters of the nose with a refined texture, vibrant freshness and a lingering mineral finish.
Greco Di Tufo DOCG/DOP
Sourced from high-altitude vineyards across Prata di Principato Ultra, Santa Paolina and Montefusco, this wine reflects the landscape of inland Campania, where steep slopes, cool mountain influences and ancient soils create wines of remarkable freshness, structure and longevity. Raffaele Troisi’s careful approach in both vineyard and cellar allows Greco to express its natural character, combining energy, texture and a profound sense of place.
Winemaking
The fruit is hand-harvested from 30-40 yearold vines planted between 600 and 700 metres above sea level on south-facing slopes. Following gentle pressing, fermentation takes place in stainless steel to preserve the purity and vibrancy of the variety. The wine is then refined in bottle for several months before release, allowing its balance of acidity, structure and mineral character to fully develop.
Tasting Notes
Straw yellow with golden highlights. The nose reveals aromas of grapefruit, ripe yellow fruit and beeswax. Persistent and textured on the palate, it shows natural balance between acidity and structure that defines the Greco grape, finishing with freshness, precision and remarkable length.
Coda Di Volpe "Irpinia" DOC/DOP
Traerte’s Coda di Volpe offers a distinctive expression of one of Campania’s historic native white varieties. Grown in Località Vertecchia in Pietradefusi, the vineyards sit between 400 and 500 metres above sea level, where clay-sandy soils rich in quartz and limestone contribute to the wine’s texture, freshness and subtle complexity. With a careful approach in the vineyard and cellar, Raffaele Troisi highlights the character of Coda di Volpe through a wine of balance, aromatic detail and regional identity.
Winemaking
The fruit is hand-harvested from 15 to 40-year-old vines planted on southern-facing slopes. Following gentle pressing, the wine is refined in bottle for several months before release, preserving the purity of the variety while allowing its natural texture and aromatic profile to develop.
Tasting Notes
Straw yellow with pearly reflections. The nose is broad and layered, showing aromas of yellow flowers, thyme and chamomile, with further notes of coffee powder and honey emerging over time. The palate is balanced and harmonious, with well-integrated acidity and alcohol providing freshness, structure and a lingering finish.
Coda Di Volpe "Torama Irpinia" DOC
One of Campania’s historic native white varieties, Coda di Volpe is sourced from old vineyards in Località Vertecchia in Pietradefusi and Torre le Nocelle. Planted at 450 metres above sea level on clay-sandy soils rich in quartz and limestone, these 60 to 70 year old vines provide the depth, texture and complexity that define this traditional variety. With a focus on preserving the character of these mature vineyards, Raffaele Troisi crafts a wine that combines aromatic detail with a refined sense of balance.
Winemaking
The fruit is hand-harvested from 60 to 70 year old vines on southern-facing slopes before being gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel. The vineyards are managed using espalier and the traditional “Avellinese” pergola system, with careful attention to maintaining the character of the old vines. The wine is then refined in bottle for 2 to 12 months before release.
Tasting Notes
Straw yellow with golden reflections. The nose shows floral and fruity aromas, gradually evolving towards more tertiary notes of menthol, dried herbs and cut grass, typical of mature Coda di Volpe from old vines. The palate is balanced and harmonious, with moderate acidity, texture and a persistent finish.
Fiano Di Avellino "Aipierti" DOCG
Traerte’s Fiano di Avellino is a pure expression of one of Irpinia’s most recognised native varieties. Sourced from the Vadiaperti vineyard in Montefredane, the wine comes from southern-facing slopes at 400 metres above sea level, where clay soils and cool mountain influences shape Fiano’s natural balance between aromatic detail, texture and freshness. A restrained approach in vineyard and cellar puts the variety’s character and sense of place to the fore.
Winemaking
The fruit is hand-harvested from 20 to 30 year old vines before being gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel. The vineyards are planted at a density of 4,800 to 5,000 vines per hectare and managed using espalier, spur-pruned cordon and Guyot systems, with careful attention to preserving the purity and balance of the fruit.
Tasting Notes
Straw yellow with greenish reflections. The nose is broad and expressive, with floral aromas of acacia and orange blossom complemented by delicate notes of white fruit, fresh grass and subtle hints of incense. The palate is harmonious and balanced, reflecting the same floral and fruity characters as the nose, with a fresh, elegant finish.
Greco Di Tufo "Tornante" DOCG
Traerte’s Tornante Greco di Tufo represents a structured and age-worthy expression of Irpinia’s native Greco variety. Sourced from a single vineyard in Località Marotta, Montefusco, the 40-year-old vines sit at 700 metres above sea level on southern-facing slopes, where clay soils and cool mountain conditions contribute to the wine’s depth, texture and longevity. Produced in limited quantities, Tornante reflects a focus on capturing the power and character of this remarkable site.
Winemaking
The fruit is hand-harvested from 40 year old vines before being gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel. The vineyard is planted at a density of 4,800 to 5,000 vines per hectare and managed using espalier, spur-pruned cordon and Guyot systems. The wine is then refined in bottle for 6 to 24 months, allowing its structure and complexity to develop.
Tasting Notes
Intense straw yellow in colour. The nose is marked by citrus aromas, particularly grapefruit, alongside notes of pear and peach. The palate shows power and structure balanced by freshness and precision, with a more austere character that emerges with time in bottle. A wine with depth and longevity.
Coda Di Volpe "Torama Irpinia" DOC
One of Campania’s historic native white varieties, Coda di Volpe is sourced from old vineyards in Località Vertecchia in Pietradefusi and Torre le Nocelle. Planted at 450 metres above sea level on clay-sandy soils rich in quartz and limestone, these 60 to 70 year old vines provide the depth, texture and complexity that define this traditional variety. With a focus on preserving the character of these mature vineyards, Raffaele Troisi crafts a wine that combines aromatic detail with a refined sense of balance.
Winemaking
The fruit is hand-harvested from 60 to 70 year old vines on southern-facing slopes before being gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel. The vineyards are managed using espalier and the traditional “Avellinese” pergola system, with careful attention to maintaining the character of the old vines. The wine is then refined in bottle for 2 to 12 months before release.
Tasting Notes
Straw yellow with golden reflections. The nose shows floral and fruity aromas, gradually evolving towards more tertiary notes of menthol, dried herbs and cut grass, typical of mature Coda di Volpe from old vines. The palate is balanced and harmonious, with moderate acidity, texture and a persistent finish.
Greco "Fuori Limite Le Vecchie Vigne" IGT/IGP
Traerte’s Fuori Limite Le Vecchie Vigne is a rare and distinctive expression of Greco, born from a historic vineyard that sits just beyond the official boundaries of the Greco di Tufo DOCG. The name, meaning “beyond the limit”, reflects both the location of the site and Raffaele Troisi’s desire to explore the full potential of this ancient Irpinian variety outside traditional classifications. Planted over 70 years ago in Montefredane, these old vines are rooted in the high-altitude landscape of Irpinia, where steep slopes, clay-rich soils and significant diurnal temperature variation provide the foundations for a wine of depth, structure and longevity.
Winemaking
The fruit is hand-harvested from 70 to 80 year old vines growing at around 600 metres above sea level. Following careful selection, the grapes are gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel, with the wine then refined before release to allow the concentration and complexity of the old vines to develop. Produced in limited quantities, Fuori Limite reflects the patience, resilience and character of these historic vineyards.
Tasting Notes
Deep straw yellow with golden reflections. The nose is complex and slowly evolving, opening with floral and citrus notes before developing layers of ripe yellow fruit, dried herbs, menthol and mineral nuances. The palate is structured and powerful, yet balanced by vibrant acidity and a distinctive saline freshness. Textured and persistent, it shows the depth and longevity associated with old-vine Greco from the high slopes of Irpinia.