Vigneti del Salento, `Vigne Vecchie` Primitivo di Manduria

The Primitivo for this wine comes from the Alto Salento area between Sava and Manduria, at the heart of the Primitivo di Manduria appellation. Fruit is sourced from ancient bush vines (alberello), some up to 100 years old, planted at elevations between 60 and 150 metres above sea level. The vineyards are densely planted at 4,000–5,000 vines per hectare, with south to south-east exposures that favour optimal ripening and concentration, contributing depth and intensity to the wine.

The 2022 growing season in Puglia was marked by extreme heat and prolonged drought, making it one of the most challenging vintages of recent decades. Winter and spring rainfall was limited, leading to early water stress, while summer brought sustained high temperatures and heatwaves that significantly reduced yields, particularly in dry-farmed vineyards. However, old bush-trained vines proved resilient, naturally regulating production and preserving fruit balance. Harvest took place earlier than average under dry, healthy conditions, producing small, highly concentrated berries.

Carefully selected grapes were destemmed and crushed before undergoing fermentation at controlled temperatures for 10–12 days, with regular pump-overs to ensure balanced extraction. After draining, the wine completed malolactic fermentation in stainless-steel tanks. It was then aged for 12 months in a combination of American and French oak barriques, adding structure, depth and complexity to the final wine.