The Italian region with the capital Campobasso is located in the centre of the boot on the Adriatic Sea. Until the 1960s, the vineyards were assigned to the neighbouring region of Abruzzo to the north. Molise is divided into the two provinces of Campobasso and Isernia. The name is said to go back to a noble family in the Middle Ages.

Climate & soil

The climate is predominantly Mediterranean on the coast, while continental influences with cold winters and hot, dry summers predominate inland and in the hills. The soils are varied and consist mainly of clay, limestone, loam and sandy deposits with good suitability for viticulture.

Grape varieties

Vines are grown in the hills of the Sannio Mountains at up to 600 metres above sea level. The vineyards cover around 5,400 hectares, 90% of which are small vineyards of half a hectare. The most important red wine varieties are Aglianico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Montepulciano, Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir), Sangiovese and Tintilia del Molise.

The most important white wine varieties are Chardonnay, Bombino Bianco, Falanghina, Fiano, Greco Bianco, Malvasia, Moscato Bianco (Muscat Blanc), Pinot Bianco (Pinot Blanc), Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris), Riesling Renano (Riesling), Sauvignon (Sauvignon Blanc), Trebbiano d'Abruzzo and Trebbiano Toscano. Most of the production is organised by winegrowers' cooperatives. Well-known producers are Cipressi and Di Majo Norante.

IGT and DOC areas

There is not yet a DOCG area. The IGT (regional wines) and DOC (quality wines) areas are:

• Biferno (DOC)
• Del Molise (DOC)
• Pentro di Isernia (DOC)
• Rotae (IGT)
• Terre degli Osci or Osci (IGT)
• Tintilia del Molise (DOC)