Primitivo di Manduria: Leading the way to Sustainable and Responsible Farming | Wine Enthusiast
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Primitivo di Manduria: Leading the way to Sustainable and Responsible Farming

 

There is a story in the heart of the Mediterranean, in which memory, effort, ingenuity and devotion have given shape and substance to the passion of four hundred families. These families have carried on a dream with the tenacity and sacrifices familiar to those who live every day in close contact with the earth.

From generation to generation an extraordinary wine grape has been cultivated, which day after day has been nourished in these lands, by the sun and millenary cultures. This grape is Primitivo, an ancient vine of Croatian origins and a close relative of the Californian Zinfandel. Through the years Produttori di Manduria has preserved the tradition of growing Primitivo, earning the title of “Master” grape growers.

The Produttori di Manduria winery was founded in 1932, in the small town of the same name with only thirty thousand inhabitants. Manduria is located in the southern part of the long and narrow region of Puglia, the “heel” of Italy, where Primitivo has found its ideal and unique habitat. And it is in this small area, kissed by the sun and the sea, that the Primitivo di Manduria DOC appellation was born.

Puglia, a land of art and human effort
Traveling around Puglia allows one to discover a past that has never ceased to live silently: fortified farms stand in the middle of the countryside as if they were military outposts; the enchantment of Baroque art and its pale stone carved and sculpted by local artisans adorn churches and historic buildings; the scent of olive oil, the color and flavor of wine, the wonder of a crystalline sea. This is a land firmly and indissolubly intertwined with its inhabitants. The peace it offers to those who visit today is one with roots in centuries of history. Listen to the dialects of the locals, observe their faces and dances, learn their traditions, and you will discover a people who find countless treasures in their faith and hard work.

The Primitivo di Manduria vineyards
Grown on limestone and surrounded by traces of a millenary history, the vineyards of Produttori di Manduria are located in the center of Salento. Salento is a strip of land that stretches out from Italy’s heel and laps the Ionian Sea. Thanks to its absolutely favorable and unique climatic reasons, Salento is considered the prime region for the cultivation of Primitivo, a black berried grape that ripens earlier than the others (from the Latin primativus, or “early”).

Here in Salento, head-trained bush vines and bunches are caressed by the sea breeze, warmed placidly by the rays of a powerful and persistent sun, nourished by the generosity of a land rich in clays and minerals, enriched by the herbal scents of the Mediterranean scrub that surrounds the vineyards. A unique and rare terroir, which gives us a warm, sumptuous and enveloping wine.

Sustainability
The preservation of the local natural resources and the health and well being of the local people are of great value to Produttori di Manduria. These goals have been embedded for almost a century in the winery’s philosophy and actions, as production continues to move towards the most sustainable and responsible farming possible. “We are aware that we have inherited such a rich but also fragile heritage from our forefathers and we are strongly determined to preserve it and to hand it over intact to the next generations”, says Antonio Resta, president of Produttori di Manduria.

In 2018, thanks to a strong commitment and sensitivity to social and environmental issues, Produttori di Manduria was among the first eight Italian wineries to receive the certification of Sustainable Winery from Equalitas. With this certification, the winery has formalized its commitment to a set of internationally recognized sustainability objectives: environmental (preserving agricultural biodiversity and natural resources), economic (fair trade practices) and ethical (high safety standards for employees, equal opportunity employment).

“LIRICA” Primitivo di Manduria DOC
Cohesive aromas of tilled earth, tobacco and peppery spice are well-integrated into a rich cherry jam core on the nose. This is full, rounded and juicy in feel, showing luscious fruit jam flavors that don’t falter or loose definition, thanks to lifted acidity and a firm framing of polished tannins. Tobacco, earth and violet tones bring added depth, with a cherry skin tone lingering on the close. (Alexander Peartree – Wine Enthusiast, 2020).


Lirica Primitivo di Manduria DOC 2017

100% Primitivo. Bold, juicy, complex yet balanced, with notes of ripe black cherry, leather and cocoa.

Top Accolades and Scores

  • 91/100 Editors’ Choice – Wine Enthusiast
  • Top 100 wines of 2020Wine Enthusiast
  • 3/3 Red GlassesGambero Rosso
  • Gold MedalMundus Vini

$18.00


Varietal: Primitivo 100%
Vineyard age: 15-25 years old
Harvest time: early September
Aging: minimum 6 months in big barrels of Slavonian oak
Suggested pairings: fillet steak with green pepper, crusted roast beef, lamb with roasted potatoes, perfect with barbecued meats, brisket and roasted sausages.

PRODUTTORI DI MANDURIA’S HARVEST 2020