Puglia
Where the Sun Meets the Vine
Stretching along Italy's southern Adriatic and Ionian coasts, Puglia is a land of ancient olive trees, whitewashed villages and vineyards that have flourished for centuries. Here, warm sunshine, cooling sea breezes and generations of family winemakers create bold wines full of character and generosity.
Puglia is impossible not to fall in love with.
The landscape is warm and welcoming, the food is simple yet unforgettable, and hospitality comes naturally. Vineyards share the countryside with centuries-old olive groves, while both the Adriatic and Ionian Seas shape the region's climate.
Although Puglia produces some of Italy's best-loved wines, it still feels wonderfully authentic. Here, winemaking is less about prestige and more about sharing good food, good wine and good company.
At Porcalorca, we love Puglia because every bottle reflects the warmth of southern Italy.
Why We Love Puglia
Puglia at a Glance
Location
Southern Italy
Known For
Native grape varieties, olive groves and the Adriatic coastline
Landscape
Rolling plains, limestone hills, vineyards and ancient olive trees
Signature Wines
Primitivo, Nero di Troia, Negroamaro and Bombino Bianco
Main Grape Varieties
Nero di Troia, Primitivo, Negroamaro, Bombino Bianco and Susumaniello
Home to
Madri Leone
A Journey Through Puglia
Gargano National Park - Puglia's Wild Peninsula
Known as the "spur of Italy's boot," the Gargano Peninsula offers dramatic limestone cliffs, ancient forests and breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea. The cooling coastal winds help shape the vineyards of northern Puglia, bringing freshness and balance to the region's wines.
Margherita di Savoia - Europe's Largest Salt Pans
Stretching for more than 20 kilometres along the Adriatic coast, the salt pans of Margherita di Savoia have shaped the local landscape for centuries. Together with the nearby Ofanto River and constant sea breezes, they create a unique microclimate that contributes minerality, freshness and character to the surrounding vineyards.
Trani - Puglia's Elegant Seaside City
With its beautiful harbour, Romanesque cathedral overlooking the sea and lively historic centre, Trani perfectly captures the relaxed elegance of northern Puglia. Enjoy fresh seafood by the waterfront before discovering the wines that have made this part of the region increasingly recognised by wine lovers.
Featured Producer
Madri Leone
Nero di Troia - Northern Puglia's Hidden Treasure
While Primitivo may be Puglia's best-known grape, Nero di Troia is one of its oldest and most distinctive native varieties.
Grown primarily in northern Puglia, it produces wines with elegance, structure and remarkable freshness. For Madri Leone, Nero di Troia represents the identity of their territory - a grape that tells the story of northern Puglia through every bottle.
Nero di Troia at a Glance
Region
Northern Puglia
Wine Style
Red
Known For
Elegant structure, freshness and ageing potential
Typical Aromas
Black cherry, violet, blackberry and Mediterranean herbs
Ageing Potential
8–15 years
In the Glass
Expect notes of:
Black cherry
Blackberry
Violet
Plum
Mediterranean herbs
Black pepper
Liquorice
Fine mineral finish
Why We Love Nero di Troia
Nero di Troia perfectly reflects northern Puglia.
Powerful yet elegant, deeply rooted in its homeland and still relatively undiscovered outside Italy, it represents exactly the kind of authentic wines we love to share.
The People Behind the Wines
Madri Leone
Founded by sisters Marilia and Linda Leone, Madri Leone is a modern expression of more than a century of family wine heritage. Inspired by the women who shaped their lives and their region, they craft authentic wines exclusively from Puglia's native grape varieties, allowing the land - not the winemaker - to take centre stage.
Through minimal intervention, respect for tradition and a deep connection to northern Puglia, every bottle celebrates both the strength of their territory and the remarkable women whose stories inspire the winery's name.
Discover Wines from Puglia
PUGLIA IGP PRIMITIVO
Primitivo is a demanding grape variety, with clusters of tightly packed berries that seem to embrace each other, forming an unbreakable bond that unleashes a captivating power. This wine fully embodies the essence of its fruit without compromise, offering a surprise with every sip. Dedicated to Paolina Busa, who left her mark during the Battle of Cannae, where she provided aid to the wounded soldiers, offering them care and shelter in her home. Her name is woven into the fabric of Puglia’s history, a symbol of strength, compassion, and resilience.
Grape variety
100% Primitivo
Vineyards of origin
Hilly vineyards of Contrada Sant’Antonio, nestled between the stunning salt pans of Margherita di Savoia, the Adriatic Sea, the Alta Murgia Natural Park, and the Tavoliere delle Puglie.
Soil: The sea breezes and the fertile clayey-calcareous soil allow the Primitivo grape variety to fully express its organoleptic profile.
Training system: Guyot-trained espalier.
Season in the field: The excellent climatic conditions ensured optimal phenological ripening, preserving aromatic precursors in the best possible way. This balance is beautifully reflected in the harmony between acidity and alcohol. The grapes, hand-harvested in crates, were picked at the end of August, beginning of September.
Average yield: 50 q/ha.
Vinification
Fermentation takes place in small stainless-steel vats, lasting approximately 10 days. Malolactic fermentation is also entirely carried out in stainless steel.
Aging: 6 months on fine lees with bâtonnage, followed by several months in the bottle, method that lets the grapes speak for themselves, enhancing their natural characteristics.
Organoleptic aspects
Bright ruby red. On the nose, graceful with delicate aromas of ripe red fruits, strawberry, red currant, spicy notes, and subtle hints of tea leaves and hibiscus. On the palate, red fruits reemerge; moderately warm, with a pleasant freshness that balances the sip and enhances drinkability.
Pairings
Primitivo pairs wonderfully with medium-aged cheeses. With cured meats, this wine shines when matched with savory and peppery raw selections. It complements pasta dishes enriched with salted ricotta or grated Parmesan. Excellent with red meat and game dishes, as well as traditional Apulian cuisine. Gourmet pairings such as wild boar ragù, duck breast, partridge, or quail work beautifully, as do meat and game dishes from Nordic cuisine.
Alcohol content and serving temperature
Alcohol content: 14% Vol.
Serving Temperature: 16 - 18 °C.
End
PUGLIA IGP NERO DI TROIA
Valla is associated with the figure of Ondina Valla, an Italian athlete who achieved numerous victories in sprints, hurdles, and long jump. At just 20 years old, during the 1936 Berlin Olympics, she broke the world record in the 80-meter hurdles, becoming the first Italian woman to win an Olympic gold medal.
Nero di Troia is a resilient grape variety, producing a wine that is both elegant and assertive. Its intrinsic characteristics perfectly embody the determination of a woman who, hurdle after hurdle, etched the image of the female athlete into history.
Grape variety
100% Nero di Troia
Vineyards of origin
Hilly vineyards of Contrada Sant’Antonio, nestled between the stunning salt pans of Margherita di Savoia, the Adriatic Sea, the Alta Murgia Natural Park, and the Tavoliere delle Puglie.
Soil: The sea breezes and the fertile clayey-calcareous soil allow the Nero di Troia grape variety to fully express its organoleptic profile.
Training system: Guyot-trained espalier.
Season in the field: The excellent climatic conditions ensured optimal phenological ripening, preserving aromatic precursors in the best possible way. This balance is beautifully reflected in the harmony between acidity and alcohol. The grapes, hand-harvested in crates, were picked at the end of September, beginning of October.
Average yield: 50 q/ha.
Vinification
Fermentation takes place in small stainless-steel vats, lasting approximately 15 days. Malolactic fermentation is also entirely carried out in stainless steel.
Aging: 6 months on fine lees with bâtonnage, followed by several months in the bottle, method that lets the grapes speak for themselves, enhancing their natural characteristics.
Organoleptic aspects
Impenetrable ruby red. On the nose, it opens with intense aromas of small black forest fruits, blueberry, wild cherry, and berries, with delicate hints of violet. On the palate, the fruity profile reappears, particularly cherry, with marked freshness. Elegant, with excellent drinkability, perfect for any meal.
Pairings
Valla pairs well with a variety of meat dishes, including flavorful or spiced preparations, as well as game. It is excellent with sweet-and-sour lamb and roasted stuffed guinea fowl. Pasta is also an excellent match, such as orecchiette with cardoncelli mushrooms and fava bean and chicory soup. It is stunning with Apulian cheeses.
Alcohol content and serving temperature
Alcohol content: 14% Vol.
Serving Temperature: 16 - 18 °C.
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