Approval of Grape Variety Falanghina

Falanghina is an native white grape of Italy. The origin of this grape is the Campania  region of Italy in the  area of  Naples, Caserta, Avellino and Benevento. First described by l’Acerbi in 1825 and subsequently by Carlucci in Viala Vermorel 1909.  Its name comes from the expansive canopy of the vine: “Falanghina” is a direct derivative of the Latin noun “falangae” which refers to the stakes used to support grape vines. There are two distinct biotypes:  Falanghina Flegrea and Falanghina Beneventa: the biotype which UC Davis Foundation Plant Service received in 2000 from the MastroberadinoWinery of Atripaldi, Italy has been confirmed by Piero Mastroberadino to be the  Beneventana selection from the Sannio area of Benevento,Italy. 

Professional publications that names and identifies the variety is: Calo, A., Scienza,A., and Costacurta, A.,  Vitigni d’Italia , p. 218-219, Edagricole-Edizione della Calderini, Bologna, Italy (2001) and Ian D’Agata, Native Wine Grapes of Italy (2014) p. 279 – 282, University of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles, California.  

In lieu of the recency of  the  finding of this grape in the U.S. , the commercial potential of Falanghina  grown and produced in the United States can only be projected from the reviews and sales of wine based on this varietal made in Italy and imported into the United States.  Italian producers  are  Feudi di San Gregorio; Terredoro di Paolo; DonnaChiara; Masroberadino; Terre de Vulcano; Villa Matilda

A  list of  wineries and vineyards in the United States that are currently growing and/or producing wine made from the Falanghina grape are: Cougar Vineyard & Winery Temecula, CA;  Eusinus Vineyard  Carlsbad, CA;  Steve Viani  Viani Vineyard Rancho Murietta   Pilot Hill, Ca;  Wrath Wines  Soledad, CA .

Contact Information

Pete Anderson

Winegrower / Consultant

Cougar Vineyard And Winery

(1) 951-201-1635

pete@cougarvineyards.com