Mariangela Plantamura and Vincenzo Maggialetti have taken an estate farmed by her family since 1946 to new heights. Mentored by Stefano Borsa (see Pâcina) and Fabrizio Tomas, she became the first in her family to bottle wines under the family name. And what results — 3 ‘Tre Bicchieri’ awards since the 1st vintage in 2002.

The vineyards, tended and harvested by hand, were already certified organic (since 1996) when Mariangela launched her eponymous label, the fruit having gone to other wineries. Her only wines are 3 interpretations of 100% Primitivo from distinct vineyards around Gioia del Colle. The outstanding Riserva comes from a 30+ year-old albarello-trained vineyard. A literal ‘garagista’, the cellar was expanded in 2019, which allowing the family to raise the level of quality even higher. Mariangela is the winemaker, and Vincenzo looks after the vineyards (when he’s not occupied with his day job in the Carabinieri). Daughters Chiara (studying oenology) & Alessia (studying languages and business) help when home from school.

Gioia del Colle is distinct from the larger Manduria DOC in a number of ways. Calcareous soil with an (unusual) underlying aquifer, means irrigation is not required. The 360 m elevation ensures a significant diurnal swing between hot days and cool nights. Maximum vineyard yield in Gioia del Colle is 8 tonnes/ha, while Manduria permits 12 tonnes/ha. The resulting wines show a much brighter, aromatic character than the often-heavy Primitvo di Manduria. Plantamura’s bottled production from 9 hectares of organic vineyards has grown from 2,000 bottles in 2002 to 60,000 bottles of truly joyful wine in 2019.

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