The Royal Palace, a famous Baroque masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage Site, is not only an architectural monument of inestimable value, but also preserves a winemaking tradition that has its roots in the 18th century. Recently, this tradition has been brought back to life thanks to an ambitious project to restore the historic “Vigna del Re” located in the Bosco di San Silvestro, an integral part of the royal complex.
In 1750, King Charles of Bourbon commissioned architect Luigi Vanvitelli to build the Royal Palace of Caserta, conceived not only as a royal residence but also as a self-sufficient production centre. As part of this project, the “Vigna del Re” was planted in the Bosco di San Silvestro, intended for the cultivation of Pallagrello, a native Caserta vine known for the quality of its wines, appreciated by the sovereigns of the time. With the fall of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and the abandonment of the Royal Palace, the vineyard also fell into disuse, until it almost completely disappeared.
In 2018, under the direction of Mauro Felicori, the Royal Palace of Caserta began a project to recover the historic vineyard, entrusting one hectare of land in the Bosco di San Silvestro to the Tenuta Fontana winery. The company has replanted the Pallagrello black and white, bringing the ancient winemaking tradition of the site back to life. The first harvest, which took place in 2021, marked the beginning of a new era for Vigna del Re.
The fruits of this commitment have materialized in the production of two wines: OroRe Bianco and OroRe Nero, both obtained from Pallagrello grapes grown in the historic vineyard. On April 15, 2024, at Vinitaly in Verona, the first bottle of OroRe Nero was presented, arousing great interest among enthusiasts and experts in the sector. During the event, the director of the Royal Palace of Caserta, Tiziana Maffei, underlined the importance of this project as a virtuous example of collaboration between the public and private sectors for the enhancement of cultural landscapes.
The rebirth of the Vigna del Re represents a model of how it is possible to integrate the protection of historical heritage with sustainable production initiatives. This project not only brought a centuries-old tradition back to life, but also helped promote the Terra di Lavoro area by showcasing its typical products. Furthermore, it has stimulated a debate on international historic vineyards, highlighting the role that these can have in the cultural and economic promotion of the regions in which they are located.
In an era in which the preservation of cultural heritage and environmental sustainability are central themes, the history of the Vigna della Reggia di Caserta demonstrates how the rediscovery of traditions can be the key to a future more aware and respectful of our roots.
