Primitivo di Manduria DOC

One of the most renowned and prestigious appellations in Southern Italy, located in the Apulia (Puglia) region on the Salento Peninsula between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.
It is a place where sun, sea breeze, and limestone-rich soils create an exceptional terroir that gives birth to intense yet harmonious wines made from the ‘Primitivo’ grape.

Geographically, the Manduria zone is characterized by a hot, dry climate and strong coastal winds that prevent the grapes from over-ripening. The days are scorching, while the nights are refreshingly cool – allowing the grapes to retain their acidity and aromatic freshness.

The soils are predominantly calcareous, mixed with clay and iron, giving them a characteristic reddish hue. This terra rossa type has excellent moisture retention, and the deep roots of old vines reach into the limestone layers, imparting minerality and structure to the wines.

The appellation’s history dates back to the 18th century, but it officially gained DOC status in 1974, later elevated in 2011 with the creation of Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale DOCG, dedicated to naturally sweet wines.

The main grape, ‘Primitivo’ (genetically identical to California’s ‘Zinfandel’), produces deeply concentrated wines of dark ruby color, marked by aromas of ripe plums, blackberries, sweet spices, and cocoa.