https://www.cantinasampietrana.it

Cantina Sampietrana, San Pietro Vernotico

Cantina Sampietrana is located in San Pietro Vernotico, a historic municipality between Brindisi and Lecce in southern Puglia. The winery was founded in 1952 as an association of local winegrowers. Its aim was to vinify the sun-drenched grapes of the region together and bring wines with a clear Puglian origin directly to the market. Today, Cantina Sampietrana combines the experience of many winegrowing families with modern cellar technology and a clear focus on quality. At the centre are the classic grape varieties of southern Italy: Primitivo, Negroamaro, Susumaniello and Montepulciano. The range is complemented by an expressive Chardonnay from Salento, showing the white side of Puglia in a structured, barrique-influenced style.

Puglia and Salento: warmth, fruit and structure

Salento forms the southern part of Puglia and is shaped by a Mediterranean climate, intense sunshine, limestone-rich soils and proximity to the sea. These conditions promote even grape ripening and produce wines marked by ripe fruit, fullness and spicy depth. Cantina Sampietrana works with this regional character without allowing the wines to appear overloaded. The red wines show power and warmth while retaining structure, clear fruit expression and a balanced tannin profile. Barrique ageing is used selectively to support depth, spice and harmony.

Chardonnay from Salento

Plio Chardonnay Salento IGP shows an individual interpretation of this international grape variety in a southern Italian context. The Chardonnay grapes are harvested by hand, fermented under temperature-controlled conditions and aged for six months in barriques. In the glass, the wine shows an intense golden yellow colour. Light fruits such as peach and apricot, blossoms and fine vanilla notes shape its aromatic profile. On the palate, it is elegant and fresh, with ripe fruit, a subtle oak tone and a long finish. Plio Chardonnay pairs particularly well with mildly spicy dishes, vitello tonnato, smoked fish and scampi.

Negroamaro and Salice Salentino

Le Monache Salice Salentino Riserva DOP is vinified from Negroamaro, one of the most important red grape varieties of southern Puglia. Hand harvesting, temperature-controlled fermentation, twelve months of barrique ageing and a further year of bottle ageing give the wine structure and maturity. The Riserva shows a deep cherry-red colour, ripe dark berries, subtle roasted aromas and vanilla. On the palate, it is elegant and lively, with beautiful structure and fine tannins. It pairs well with grilled dishes, poultry, spicy dishes, pizza, pasta and game.

Brindisi Riserva with Negroamaro and Montepulciano

Since 1952 Brindisi Riserva DOP recalls the founding year of Cantina Sampietrana in its name. The cuvée of Negroamaro and Montepulciano combines dark fruit, spice and substance with rounded tannins. After hand harvesting and temperature-controlled fermentation, the wine matures for twelve months in barriques and then for one year in bottle. The bouquet shows cherries, plums, cassis, vanilla and tobacco. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, with recurring fruit, fine spice notes and a flavourful finish. Since 1952 Brindisi Riserva DOP pairs well with spicy dishes, pizza, pasta, roasts and game. It is also available in larger formats, including 150 cl and 300 cl.

Primitivo from Salento

Tre Filari Salento IGP is a full-bodied Primitivo from Salento. The grapes are harvested by hand, fermented under temperature-controlled conditions and aged for eight months in barriques. As a result, the wine combines ripe fruit with fine spice and harmonious fullness. Ripe forest berries, jam, vanilla and spices shape its aromatic profile. On the palate, Tre Filari is elegant, full-bodied and balanced, with a fruit-driven structure and a long finish. It pairs with grilled dishes, spicy dishes, pizza and pasta. In addition to the 75 cl bottle, it is also available in large formats such as 150 cl, 300 cl and 500 cl.

Negroamaro and Susumaniello

Settebraccia Salento IGP combines Negroamaro and Susumaniello, two grape varieties closely linked to southern Puglia. Negroamaro contributes structure, spice and the typical dark fruit of Salento, while Susumaniello adds fullness, freshness and additional depth. After hand harvesting and temperature-controlled fermentation, the wine is aged for eight months in barriques. Dark, ripe berries, forest berry compote, vanilla, spices, tobacco and roasted aromas shape its character. On the palate, it is substantial, with soft, rounded tannins and a flavourful finish. It pairs well with grilled dishes, roasts, game, pasta, pizza and strongly seasoned dishes. Settebraccia is also available in larger bottle formats.

The wines of Cantina Sampietrana

The range includes selected wines from Cantina Sampietrana that clearly show the breadth of Salento and the Puglian wine tradition:

• Plio Chardonnay Salento IGP – barrique-aged Chardonnay with peach, apricot, blossoms, vanilla and a fresh finish.
• Le Monache Salice Salentino Riserva DOP – Negroamaro Riserva with dark berries, roasted aromas, vanilla, structure and fine tannins.
• Since 1952 Brindisi Riserva DOP – cuvée of Negroamaro and Montepulciano with cherries, plums, cassis, vanilla, tobacco and rounded tannins.
• Tre Filari Salento IGP – Primitivo with ripe forest berries, jam, vanilla, spices and a long finish.
• Settebraccia Salento IGP – cuvée of Negroamaro and Susumaniello with dark fruit, spices, tobacco, roasted aromas and soft tannins.

The selection presents Cantina Sampietrana as a producer clearly rooted in southern Puglia. The wines combine Mediterranean ripeness, traditional grape varieties and modern ageing into an accessible, structured style – from barrique-aged Chardonnay to Primitivo, Negroamaro, Brindisi Riserva and powerful Salento cuvées.