Cantine Polvanera was founded in 2002 by Mr. Filippo Cassano, who decided to return to his family’s viticultural roots, setting up his Polvanera winery near the small town of Gioia del Colle, in the south-eastern Puglia, 400 meters above the sea level. He named his venture Polvanera (literally “black dust”) because of the dark soil so typical of the area that surrounds the winery. Originally the estate was a coal factory; the dust of the coal processing would settle the ground, hence the name “Polvanera”. In about 120 hectares of land, other native grapes are also produced, like Aleatico, Aglianico, Minutolo, Moscato, Bianco d’Alessano, Marchione, Maresco, Negroamaro, Nero di Troia and Falanghina. Polvanera estate is almost 100% organically cultivated, to ensure grapes have as much character from the land as possible, by using traditional techniques such as bush training for the old vineyard and spur pruning (or cordon training). No oak is used, as wines rest for approx. 2 years in stainless steel tanks and bottle. This was a key step towards the fulfilment of his philosophy of minimal intervention in both the vineyards and the cellar in order to maintain and enhance the pure characteristics of Primitivo.
This is indeed a different interpretation of the Primitivo grapes: wines that are still full bodied and rich, but that retain freshness and minerality, elements often missing in Puglia reds.
