The winery was established in 1750 by Pietro di Berardino (he adopted the title of Mastro, which eventuallymerged with Berardino) and officially registered in 1878 by Cavalier Angelo Mastroberardino, whose grandson, Antonio (of the ninth generation), is widely acknowledged as one of the grand masters of Italian winemaking. Over the course of two decades, the Mastroberardinos acquired vineyard land in various areas of Campania and Irpinia. Beginning in the 1960s, they chose to isolate the best areas in the latter territory, rendering them the subject of intense study. This agenda demonstratively contrasts with the bulk efforts undertaken by other winemakers in response to the economic devastation wrought by World War II. The quality efforts of the Mastroberardinos were championed by Antonio, who voraciously defended the area’s ancient varietals, earning the title of “true viticultural archaeologist” from renowned wine writer Hugh Johnson.

The Mastroberardino estate played an imperative role in the revitalization of Campania’s ancient varietals, and is solely responsible for the resurrection of the Fiano, Greco di Tufa, and Aglianico varietals. The first of these, Fiano, features in several DOC and IGT wines and is widely considered to achieve its apex in the Fiano di Avellino DOCG, which was established in 2003 (Greco di Tufa was accorded its DOCG in the same year). This recognition largely derived from the efforts of Antonio and Walter Mastroberardino, who are credited with having saved the grape following its near devastation by phylloxera in the 1930s. The brothers propagated a few remaining vines in the 1950s under the Mastroberardino label, serving as the sole quality producer of Fiano until the early 1990s. However, it is Aglianico upon which the winery based its reputation, effectively establishing the reputation of Taurasi, a pure-varietal Aglianico, which was formally recognized in the zone’s acquisition of the DOCG designation in 1992.

As Mastroberardino was the sole producer of quality Aglianico for several years, its potential as a grape and that of its fellow ancient varietals only began to be recognized in the late 1990s, going on, however, to receive universal recognition. Aglianico, in fact, has cultivated a notable presence among wine enthusiasts worldwide, as Campania’s celebrated climate, volcanic soils, and high elevation all provide the perfect context for this late-ripening grape that delivers a copious amount of black fruit, spice, and minerals. Aglianico produces quality expressions throughout Campania, with the most notable being Aglianico del Taburno, Irpinia Aglianico, and Sannio Aglianico. However, it is in the Taurasi zone—Campania’s only red DOCG—that the grape realizes the apex of its expression, captured in the moniker Barolo of the South.

Mastroberardino’s 1968 Taurasi Riserva is the estate’s most historically significant bottling, a reputation that is fully recognized by its status as one of Italy’s landmark wines. In 1980, the historic winery and cellars were damaged by an earthquake, but restoration incited a complete renovation of the winery. This tumultuous event also inspired the family to formally recognize the extent of its fastidious research by sourcing its Taurasi bottling exclusively from one vineyard, the 100-acre Mirabella site, which possesses a clay-calcerous soil that is particularly conducive to the growth of Aglianico. The family rechristened the wine Taurasi Radici Riserva for its 1986 debut, with Radici (“roots”) signifying its intimate connection to the region and its varietals. The Mastroberardinos continue to undertake various research projects, including efforts in the areas of aroma detection and classification; polyclonal planting; and viticultural zoning. The mission of Mastroberardino is presently directed by Antonio’s sons, Piero (current president) and Carlo, who share their father’s passion for the region’s indigenous varietals.