A tour through the Cilento to reinforce the idea of biodiversity and the richness of a territory well known for its many excellences such as, among others, fruit and vegetables, olive oil, buffalo mozzarella, the temples of Paestum, untouched beaches, and its harsher yet equally fascinating inland areas. A journey to discover the many — and above all diverse — wine productions that inevitably emerge in such an extensive growing area. A tour that cannot overlook meeting an eclectic and leading producer: Bruno De Conciliis, oenologist and co-owner of Tempa di Zoè together with the Pagano family (Emilia and Carmelo Pagano) and a group of professionals and friends who hold the majority stake as members of Innovino Srl — professionals from sectors outside enology, yet able to provide wide-ranging support to the company’s management. Two of them are owners of well-known restaurants, with clear ideas about promotional strategies and food–wine pairings.
I spent a day dedicated to being together, driven by the desire to enjoy the beauty and goodness that these lands undoubtedly have to offer, in the company of Vittorio Luisi and the entire Pagano family.
tempa di zoè
Tempa di Zoè: the essence of Cilento
The name Tempa di Zoè is more than a geographic indication: tempe refers to the gentle hills that slope down toward the sea in the heart of the Cilento, while Zoè is a Greek term evoking the very essence of life — a deep bond between land, people, and nature.
The winery was officially founded in 1999, when Bruno De Conciliis began producing Zero, the “Super Campanian” wine from partially dried Aglianico grapes. Later, in 2019, the majority of the company was acquired by the group of professionals and friends mentioned earlier. From there, a solid path took shape, one never betrayed by compromises or distractions, built on the conviction that wine must be the truest and most sincere expression of its territory.
Today Tempa di Zoè works across 12 hectares of vineyards, 5 of which are directly managed, with a current production of 50–70,000 bottles, and the potential to reach 100,000.
Between Terontola, the Cilento National Park, and Agropoli, little more needs to be said about the authenticity of the area.
The focus remains on the most representative indigenous Cilentan varieties:
- Fiano for whites,
- Aglianico for reds and rosé.
Wines born from a philosophy of “subtraction,” with a respectful, straightforward, unfiltered approach — a way to protect and enhance the land, and at the same time a declaration of love for it.
tempa di zoè – wine and food
Tempa di Zoè: the wines
Among the best tastings:
- Asterias (Fiano) – aged 25% in wood, with part of the mass undergoing malolactic fermentation and part not.
• 2024: ripe and spicy, round and smooth on the palate.
• 2020: more evolved on the nose, candied, with hints of toast; velvety and elegant on the palate. - XA (flagship Fiano) – selection of the best Fiano grapes, aged in French oak.
• 2023: caramelised and pungent on the nose, savoury and expressive. - Xenos 2022 – combines Aglianico with a base of Cabernet Franc and Grenache.
Shows notes of ripe black fruit, earth and paprika, offering a coherent, long and well-shaped tasting experience. - Il Diciotto 2022 – pure Aglianico aged in French oak.
Its 14% alcohol is well integrated; aromas of currant, leather and a balsamic hint. The palate is coherent, chewy, supported by a dense tannic structure. - Zero – from a 70-year-old vineyard, with 15% dried grapes.
Dense and vanilla-scented with notes of burnt wood, warm on the palate but with an almond-like finish that balances the profile.
Making the day even more special was a lunch featuring carefully selected local products and traditional Cilentan recipes, conceived in the name of harmony. Genuine dishes, spontaneous conviviality and the desire to share beauty accompanied the glasses, turning the tasting into a moment of simple, authentic pleasure among friends and the landscape.
A tour through the Cilento means immersing oneself in a territory that brings together breathtaking landscapes, authentic flavours and vibrant wines — wines capable of telling stories of passion and dedication. Tempa di Zoè is an essential stop for anyone wishing to fully understand the enological biodiversity of these lands and the richness of a viticulture that looks to the future while remaining loyal to its roots.
