Perrini

The Salento Peninsula of the Puglia region, found at the southernmost part of Italys heel, is where the Perrini family have been growing grapes and making wine for generations. For many years they sold off their fruit to local wineries but in the 1990s Vito and his sister Mila Perrini set about changing that. They built an underground cellar and converted their 50 hectares to become certified organic. Their vines are between 30-35 years old and are spread among several zones in the hills around Castellaneta on a mix of sand, limestone and clay soils. Yields are kept to 55hl/ha, modest for the region with its warm, easy ripening climate. Harvest is manual and fermentation spontaneous. Perrini wines are remarkably balanced, light handed and savoury compared to the usual Puglian fare, especially at their very modest price level.