I Perrini Negroamaro

In the southernmost part of the heel of the "Italian boot", otherwise known as the Salento Peninsula of the Puglia region, the Perrini family has been growing grapes and making wine for generations. For many years, most of their fruit was sold off to négociants. Current generation Vito and his sister Mila Perrini set about changing that in the 1990's, building an underground cellar and converting their fifty hectares to certified-organic viticulture-neither of these steps being the norm for a bulk-production-oriented region accustomed to heavy-handed, high-alcohol red wines. Their vines average 30-35 years of age at this point, spread amongst several zones in the hills around Castellaneta near Taranto on a mix of sand, limestone and clay soils. Some zones are within the Salento IGT and some outside of the Salento, the outer areas being extensions of the hilly, karst topography of the Terra della Gravine and Le Murge. These growing zones are more unique and break up Puglia’s otherwise flat, clay and iron heavy terrain. 

The vineyards are plowed in the Spring, and yields are kept to around 55hl/ha, modest for the region and the warm, easy-ripening climate. Most unusual for Puglia are an underground cellar; manual harvest; and natural yeast fermentation. 

Vito’s current project is cultivating some incredibly rare Pugliese varieties, which for the time being he puts into a blend not yet available in the United States. He and Mila’s estate is a true farm- with citrus trees and long eared sheep that help out with Fall vineyard maintenance. Their production is on a scale I hadn’t seen before in the natural wine realm. I Perrini produces upwards of 100K bottles/ year, which for wines that are spontaneously fermented, with no additives (sulfur additions don’t even exceed 30mg (micro grams)/L) is a rare feat. VIto is incredibly passionate about his work, and clearly puts in the effort: his weathered hands and pensive pauses in between long winded, but fascinating, insights into wine and farm culture around the world, make I Perrini a must visit when you’re in Puglia.