Castellaneta
Province of Taranto
Established: 1998
Owners: Mark Shannon & Elvezia Sbalchiero
Winemaker: Mark Shannon
Production: 235,000 bottles
Viticulture: Conventional
In Puglia, the boot heel of Italy, the grape variety we know as Zinfandel is called Primitivo. A•Mano (meaning hand made) is the labour of love of the incredibly energetic and enthusiastic American winemaker, Mark Shannon, and partner, Elvezia Sbalchiero. Mark’s passionate professionalism has achieved a winning combination of terroir, technology and Apulian tradition (hand cultivated, low-yielding old vines, not to mention the winery wood-fired pizza oven).
Puglia’s unique alluvial soil, deep red and sienna-coloured, is ideal for the native Primitivo vine, still head-trained as they were by ancient Phoenicians. The 2008 is, we think, Mark and Elvezia’s best release to date, balancing vibrant, chewy raspberry fruit with hints of blueberry, leather and spice with velvety tannins and a long finish. With this vintage, Mark has blended a small amount of Aleatico (5%), something that used to be quite common in Puglian winemaking, giving the wine some floral and savoury notes.
Fiano Greco is a 50/50 blend of two classic southern Italian varieties. This particular clone of Fiano is very aromatic and features apricot blossom and musk while the Greco is responsible for the wine’s body. The result is a crisp aromatic wine with lifted notes of stone fruit and fresh grapes. The Rosato, made from Primitivo and Aleatico, has floral notes and strawberry fruit, the palate dry with refreshing acidity.
Wines
Fiano Greco IGT
Rosato IGT
Primitivo IGT