Irpinia - Irpinia is a mountainous zone of Campania, 700 meters (2,200 feet) above sea level. The name "Irpinia" derives from the Oscan word "hirpus", which means wolf, and the wolf remains Irpinia's symbol to this day. Oscan tribes of the Sabines, under demographic pressure, migrated to this area in the 6th century BC from what is now Umbria. The Hirpini occupied the region Sabato, Calore Irpino and Ofanto, becoming differentiated with time from the Samnites who settled the area from Molise and Matese.
In 22 BC, Hirpinia became an imperial colony under the name Livia; it received substantial immigration from the Eastern Roman provinces at the time of emperor Alexander Severus (3rd century AD). After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Irpinia came successively under Byzantine, Lombard, Hohenstaufen, Anjou, Aragonese and finally Spanish domination.
Feudalism was abolished in 1806, the same year in which Avellino was declared capital of the province. Irpinia became part of the newly united Kingdom of Italy in 1861.
Samnium (Italian: Sannio) is a Latin exonym for a region of south or south and central Italy in Roman times. The populations of Samnium were called Samnites by the Romans. Their own endonyms were Safinim for the country (attested in one inscription and one coin legend) and Safineis for the people. The language of these endonyms and of the population was the Oscan language. However, not all the Samnites spoke Oscan, and not all the Oscan speakers lived in Samnium.
Ancient authors were unable to relay a precise definition of Samnium's borders. Moreover, the regions included vary depending on the time period considered. The main configurations are the borders from about 600 BC to about 290 BC, during the Roman Republic, and the borders as they were defined the emperor Augustus, published in his official manifesto, Discriptio Italiae, lost to moderns, but serving as the basis of Pliny the Elder's description of Italy. By that time Oscan was not spoken. Samnium had ceased to be a sovereign state since about 290 BC. Augustus divided Italy into 11 regions. Samnium was Region IV.
Sannio is a hilly area north of Naples laying between the provinces of Benevento and Avellino in the heart of Campania region. Sannio offers a genuine experience that is fast disappearing along the better known and well worn tourist tracks of Italy. It is a fertile region of rolling hills, vineyards and olive groves that stretches into neighboring Molise. Roman ruins stand on distant hills, and frequent signs point out the many vineyards. It's a poor region but its appeal is that it's off the tourist trails. Town we will visit: Cerreto Sannita, Cusano Mutri, Torrecuso, Benevento
Cultural & Wine Tour of the Sannio and Irpinia Regions of Campania
Day 1 - Arrival and transfer to your Sannio accommodations.
Introduction to the Campania wines by a local sommelier (A.I.S.). Dinner at your farmhouse in the Benevento hills, overlooking wheat fields and olive groves.
Day 2 - Visit to the medieval village of Cusano Mutri. Enjoy a walk around this historical village and enjoy a cappuccino at the local bar, take some photos or just marvel at the scenery of one of the highest peaks of the Appenine mountain chain.
Wine tasting event in Castelvenere. You will meet the producer and listen to his anecdotes about the local vines. Light lunch with homemade products and return to your accommodations in Pietralcina (Benevento). You will spend the evening in a renowned wine bar in Foglianise and will experience a spectacular night view of the Taburno valley. The wine bar's sommelier will pair your food with different local wines and will be on hand for your questions about the wines.
Day 3 - Visit to the historical center of Benevento, tour an olive oil producer and stop in Lapio for your second wine tasting event. Light lunch followed by a short drive through the Calore valley. Transfer to Irpinia and dinner at your farmhouse with typical local fare.
Day 4 - Free morning with a chance to have a cheese and/or pasta workshop conducted by farmhouse owner. Lunch featuring products from the workshop. Afternoon in Sorbo Serpico and visit to the third winery. Dinner, wine tasting and return to Avellino.
Day 5 - Departure for Taurasi and visit of the Regional Wine Center. Meet one of the best Taurasi producers for a wine tasting event. Take part in the "Mercati al Borgo", an open air market inside the historic Taurasi castle.
Afternoon transfer for your onward journey to Naples or other destination.
Your 4 night and 5 day Sannio & Irpinia Tour includes:
- Airport (Naples-Capodichino) transfers - Transfers to wineries, wine bars and other tour sites - English speaking tour leader - Wine master class by a qualified sommelier. - Accommodation for 4 nights in farmhouses (based on a double accommodations) - 4 breakfasts - 6 winery and olive oils tours and events - 4 light lunches - local cheeses, salami, olives and vegetables -4 dinners with DOCG and DOC wines -Visits to historic Cusano Mutri, Benevento and Taurasi (castle)
Optional on request: cheese workshop and handmade pasta workshop
It is possible to add extra days on request.
Contact us for a personalized itinerary of Sannio & Irpinia
Day 1 - Arrival and transfer to your Sannio accommodations. 
Day 3 - Visit to the historical center of Benevento, tour an olive oil producer and stop in Lapio for your second wine tasting event. Light lunch followed by a short drive through the Calore valley. Transfer to Irpinia and dinner at your farmhouse with typical local fare.
Your 4 night and 5 day Sannio & Irpinia Tour includes: