Collection: Organic Primitivo Salento

Salento Primitivo is one of Italy's most fascinating grape varieties, with a history spanning continents and centuries. Originating in Croatia—where it is known as Tribidrag or Crljenak Kaštelanski—it probably arrived in Puglia in the 18th century through Basilian monks. But its true identity revolution occurred in 2001, when researchers at the University of California Davis confirmed with DNA analysis that Primitivo and Californian Zinfandel are the same grape variety: a discovery that shook the wine world and opened new international markets for Apulian producers.

The name "Primitivo" has nothing to do with simplicity: it derives from the Latin primativus, meaning "first", because this vine ripens earlier than others, as early as the end of August. This early ripening, combined with the Salento sun and the ferruginous red soils of Terra d'Otranto, produces grapes of extraordinary sugar concentration—resulting in wines with alcohol levels often exceeding 14-15 degrees.

Curiosity: Primitivo di Manduria was one of the first wines from Southern Italy to obtain DOC status in 1974, and the Dolce Naturale version is one of Italy's most sought-after enological rarities: a complex passito wine, produced from grapes dried on the vine.

In its organic version, Salento Primitivo expresses all the generosity of the territory: an almost impenetrable dark ruby color, aromas of blackberry, cooked plum, dark chocolate, tobacco, and oriental spices. On the palate, it is warm, enveloping, with soft tannins and a long, persistent finish. Ideal pairings: roast lamb with aromatic herbs, orecchiette with braciole ragù, aged cheeses such as Canestrato Pugliese DOP, dark chocolate.