Tributes paid to Campanian wine pioneer

Walter Mastroberardino, considered one of the key figures in the development of the wine industry in the southern Italian region of Campania, has died at the age of 92. The modern story of wine in Campania is synonymous with the surname 'Mastroberardino'. Born in 1933, Walter Mastroberardino's introduction to the world of wine came through his father, Michele, who helped to bring wines from the historic Mastroberardino estate, founded in 1878, to international markets. Michele died when Walter was just 12. Working alongside his brothers Antonio and Angelo in the family business, Walter sought to develop the reputation of Campania's wines in both the vineyard, with a focus on plantings of local varieties such as Aglianico, Fiano and Greco, and in big cities such as Rome and Milan, where he would promote Mastroberardino wines. In 1994, Mastroberardino decided to embark on another adventure, at a time in life when others might be thinking about readying for retirement. Alongside his wife, Dora Di Paolo, and children Paolo, Lucio and Daniela, he worked to turn his 10 hectare country estate in Irpinia, which his family acquired in 1974, into a producer with 180ha to its name. However, the ascent of Terredora Di Paolo was tempered with tragedy, as both Mastroberardino's wife, Dora, and son, Lucio, would pass away within a short time of one another. Lucio, who was also president of the Unione Italiana Vini (UIV), died in January 2013 at the age of 45. Mastroberardino died on Tuesday, 4 February, and is survived by his children Paolo and Daniela.

Tributes

Vinitaly, the leading Italian wine fair, posted a tribute to Mastroberardino on social media: "His passion, dedication, and innovative spirit have shaped the history of Italian wine. Our deepest condolences to the family from the Vinitaly team and to his children Paolo and Daniela, who carry on his legacy." Daniele Cernilli, the man behind Doctor Wine, wrote that Mastroberardino was partially responsible for the "miracle" that Campanian wine underwent after the Second World War "thanks to an intelligent enhancement of its historic native grape varieties" . A statement from the Consorzio Tutela dei Vini dell'Irpinia described him as a man who "dedicated his life to the growth of the territory, to the culture of wine and to the values ​​of family and work", and said that his "legacy will remain alive in his works, in his teachings and in the excellence of the wines of Irpinia, which will continue to tell his story". Vincenzo de Luca, president of the region of Campania, wrote: "Walter Mastroberardino, together with the brothers Angelo and Antonio, always worked with great dedication and commitment for the territory. His demise is a great loss for our entire region. At the same time, the heritage of knowledge and skills in the wine-winery sector he leaves behind is enormous." An obituary published on the Terredora website reflected on the influence of the winery's founder: "Walter, in his life, never gave up his passion for wine and he was able to preserve and transmit its founding values ​​always with enthusiasm and great passion. He demonstrated with facts that the true legacy, the one to pass on to the new generations, is the example. And Walter was an example of a life dedicated to work and family, always reserving great respect for people and seeing the 'falls' as a useful experience to get up again with greater vigour." Mastroberardino's funeral was held yesterday, 5 February, in Montefusco.