Primitivo Manduria Zolla

Puglia has spent years supplying huge amounts of wine to the rest of Italy, often without getting much credit for it. Vigneti del Salento takes a more ambitious approach, focusing on old vineyards, local varieties and the sort of rich southern Italian fruit that tends to win people over fairly quickly.

Part of the Fantini group, the winery is based around Sava in the heart of Salento, where hot days, maritime influence and ancient bush-trained vines create ideal conditions for varieties like Primitivo and Negroamaro. The old alberello vineyards are particularly important, producing lower yields and more concentrated fruit.

The wines generally lean into generosity without tipping completely into excess. Primitivo brings plum, black cherry, spice and chocolate notes, while Negroamaro adds darker fruit, herbs and a slightly savoury edge. There is plenty of sunshine in the glass, but usually enough freshness to stop things becoming heavy.

What makes the range appealing is that it captures the warmth and character of southern Italy while remaining approachable. These are wines built for food, large tables and people helping themselves to another glass before they have properly decided whether they meant to.

Salento has become one of Italy’s most important modern wine regions. Vigneti del Salento sits comfortably among the producers helping shape that reputation.