2021 I Pastini Spumante Brut (Verdeca) Valle d'Itria IGT

Founded by Gianni Carparelli and his father Donato, I Pastini grow their grapes on land their ancestors worked: a beautiful limestone plateau overlooking the Adriatic Sea that is co-planted to ancient, (multi-millennia old), olive groves. They are certified organic and use native yeasts in the cellars.

This bubbly is made from the Verdeca grape- an aromatic variety native to the Valle d'Itria in Puglia. The wine making is similar to that of Prosecco- vinified in stainless steel and made bubbly via the charmat method (autoclave). 

Light, crisp, and citrusy, with a playful bead that keeps the palate cleansed and refreshed. Verdeca’s aromas of herbs, flowers, and a bitter almond finish make it a great food pairing wine. Try with all kinds of Crudo (including sashimi) and Patio Sipping. 

I Pàstini is a small, family-run winery in the Valle d’Itria in eastern central Puglia. Founded by Gianni Carparelli and his father Donato, they grow their grapes on land their ancestors worked: a beautiful limestone plateau overlooking the Adriatic Sea that is co-planted to ancient, (multi-millennia old!), olive groves.

The Valle d’Itria is located roughly in between the coastal towns of Brindisi and Bari, and is made up of a dozen or so small, agrarian towns that are distinguished by their “trulli,” conically-shaped stone structures that historically served to house people, store grain and other staples, and feed livestock. This area experiences hot days during the growing season but they are not excessive and are tempered by cool nights and foggy mornings, and of course the influence of the nearby Adriatic Sea. This Valley is known as the white wine production center of Puglia.

Verdeca is native to this area specifically. Certainly you will find it in the more southern parts of Puglia, but it grows best here in the higher elevations.

Carparelli managed by the family on a parcel of 12 hectares with the aim to restore and enhance local grape varieties. After studying the history of the indigenous grape varieties out of this area, the Carparelli sourced vine cuttings of exactly what they wanted to plant, selecting three local white grapes, Verdeca, Bianco d’Alessano, and Minutolo, and the local red grape, Susumaniello. After vinifying their wines in a neighbor’s cantina for a number of years they built their own winery and cellars, which came online in 2012. They are currently nearing the end of their organic conversion in the vineyards and are certified organic starting with the 2019 vintage.