Cantina San Marzano

San Marzano Winery: A Celebration of Puglia's Rich Winemaking Tradition

Francesco Cavallo, the winery's president since 1982, has adeptly navigated the changes in the Apulian wine sector. By fostering a genuine cultural revolution among the members, he pursued the modernization of production facilities and the development of a skilled young workforce. He initiated the export of native grape bulk wine to France. In the 90s, following the establishment of the bottling line, San Marzano wine successfully reached the end consumers through an extensive sales network.

Today, Cantine San Marzano focuses its efforts on preserving and meticulously managing old bush vines in the renowned San Marzano vineyard. This vineyard, nestled between the Ionian and Adriatic Seas, has become synonymous with Primitivo worldwide, representing the exceptional potential of the grape varieties flourishing in the region.

One of the standout wines from San Marzano is their renowned San Marzano Primitivo, a testament to the winery's dedication and expertise in crafting exceptional expressions of this beloved grape variety. San Marzano Winery takes pride in producing elegant and pristine wines that pay homage to ancient Puglian winemaking practices while embracing modern vinification techniques. This harmonious blend of time-honored tradition, unwavering passion, and contemporary craftsmanship enables the creation of San Marzano Primitivo wine that showcases distinct varietal characteristics, truly capturing the essence of the local terroir.

San Marzano's winemaking team is curated to deliver a unique and innovative style that is immediately recognizable. Davide Ragusa and Caterina Bellanova, both natives of Puglia, play pivotal roles in this endeavor.

Davide, a young and talented winemaker, studied enology in Florence and honed his practical skills over many years. Caterina brings forth the delicate touch required to produce iconic wines. San Marzano invests in a diverse range of young adult profiles, harnessing their full potential.

San Marzano Wine: Discovering the Treasures of Puglia

The Primitivo and San Marzano Wines have greatly boosted the reputation and global recognition of Primitivo wines. One remarkable example is the Sessantanni Primitivo di Manduria DOP, a wine created by Mr. Francesco Cavallo, the President, who wanted to showcase the pure essence of the Primitivo grape in a new and special way.

To make this San Marzano Primitivo, a 40-hectare vineyard with bush vines was acquired, saving it from abandonment. This San Marzano vineyard, now called "Valle del Sessantanni" (Sixty-Year-Old Valley), is located in the heart of the Primitivo di Manduria D.O.P. region. The soil there is reddish and fine-textured, with plenty of calcium and iron oxide, giving it a distinct red color.

The grapes for Sessantanni Primitivo di Manduria are carefully hand-picked when they are fully ripe. They are then crushed and undergo a cold soak maceration at a low temperature for 24-48 hours. Controlled temperature fermentation takes place for about 10 days using natural yeasts. After that, the wine goes through a malolactic fermentation process in stainless steel tanks, followed by aging in French and American oak barrels for 12 months.

The result is a captivating San Marzano wine with a deep ruby red color. It has a complex aroma, filled with fruity notes of prune, cherry jam, and a hint of tobacco. Primitivo di Manduria Sessantanni is full-bodied, well-balanced, and smooth, with elegant tannins. The finish is long and lingers on the palate, revealing hints of cocoa, coffee, and vanilla.

The Cinquanta Rosso d’Italia Collezione is a special wine created to celebrate a significant achievement. It was established in 2012, exactly fifty years after Cantine San Marzano was founded. This unique wine was crafted specifically to honor the year 1962, when 19 growers embarked on a daring dream. The front label serves as a visual reminder of the past, displaying all the years from the winery's establishment until 2012.

This San Marzano Red Wine of Italy, known as Collezione Cinquanta,, is produced by Cantina San Marzano using Primitivo and Negroamaro grapes. These grapes grow in Alberello Pugliese vineyards, where the age of the vines is no less than 50 years old, with approximately 4,500 vines per hectare. The vineyards are located in the municipality of San Marzano.

The grapes are meticulously hand-harvested in September. After harvesting, the fermentation process occurs in stainless steel tanks following the destemming and crushing phases. It begins with a pre-fermentation cold maceration, and then indigenous yeasts initiate the alcoholic fermentation.

Once the process is complete, the wine is gently pressed. The vinification continues with malolactic fermentation in steel tanks, and then the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 12 months.

The Collezione Cinquanta exhibits a captivating ruby-red color with purple reflections. Its bouquet is intense and complex, with fruity notes of plum and jam. There are also spicy tertiary aromas reminiscent of vanilla and liquorice. On the palate, it is bold and structured, offering a velvety smoothness and a long-lasting finish.

San Marzano Tramari Primitivo Salento IGP is a delightful Italian rose wine crafted by Cantine San Marzano in Manduria. It is made from Primitivo grapes grown in the San Marzano area of Salento, Puglia, situated approximately 100 meters above sea level. The soil in this region is a medium clayey mixture, shallow, and rich in stones. The vines are cultivated using the espalier system, with 4,500 vines per hectare, resulting in a final yield of 10 quintals per hectare.

The harvest takes place during the first week of September, slightly earlier than the grapes destined for the production of bold red wines. The vinification process involves the bleeding technique, where a portion of the Primitivo grape must is separated after a brief maceration period of a few hours. The separated must then undergoes fermentation as a white wine. After fermentation at a controlled temperature, the wine undergoes further refinement for a few months in stainless steel tanks.

Tramari San Marzano pours into the glass with a captivating pale pink color that is bright and shiny. The aroma is intense and persistent, reminiscent of the Mediterranean scrub, with subtle notes of cherry and raspberry. On the palate, the wine is refreshing, elegant, and well-balanced, with pleasing acidity and a delicate lingering presence.

San Marzano Tramari is a versatile wine that pairs excellently with Italian antipasti, fish soups, and broths, baked or grilled fish, as well as young or slightly aged cheeses. It is a delightful choice for a variety of occasions.

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