Calabria Wines & Wineries

Introduction

Calabria, forming the toe of Italy's boot, is one of the country's oldest wine-producing regions, with viticultural roots stretching back to ancient Greek settlers who called southern Italy "Enotria" — the land of wine.

Terroir and Winemaking

Gaglioppo is Calabria's signature red grape, forming the backbone of Cirò, the region's most historically significant appellation. Grown on the hot, sun-drenched hillsides overlooking the Ionian Sea, Gaglioppo produces wines with pale color but surprising structure and dried-fruit intensity. Calabria's wine industry has historically been overshadowed by tourism and agriculture, but a small wave of quality-focused producers has begun drawing renewed international attention to the region's ancient viticultural heritage and its distinctive, warm-climate character.