Valentina PASSALACQUA

After studying law and starting her career in the London business world, Valentina Passalacqua returned to the land, and took over the family Winery in the town of Apricena in Italy's Puglia region

Limestone soils for a unique natural wine

One of the reasons for this choice was the birth of her daughter Giula. She realised that she wanted to return to a simple life, more in keeping with her own childhood, and leave the comfort (and stress) of her London life behind. Winery has been in her family for several generations and consists of 80 hectares of vineyards on the Adriatic Sea. Around it? The Gargano National Park (there's nothing sadder or less beautiful in the world!). The terroir here is made up of Jurassic Kimmeridgian limestone soils (similar to Chablis), which give a certain minerality to the wines produced.

Organic and natural wines 

Valentina Passalacqua is extremely sensitive to the well-being of her family and the natural world around her. She runs Winery in organic farming. The farm has been certified since 1999. Also very attached to the relationship between living beings and the environment in which she evolves, Valentina applies biodynamic practices at Winery since 2000. The grapes are harvested by hand and in small 20 kg crates.

Valentina Passalacqua 's wines also aim to show the unique expression of the region's indigenous and traditional grape varieties: Nero di Troia, Primitivo, Negroamaro, Bombino bianco and Montepulciano. Most of the vintages at Winery are single-varietalGrape variety.

Very little added sulphites

In the cellar, as you will have understood, the vinification is done as naturally as possible. The grapes are destemmed and then placed in stainless steel vats for spontaneous fermentation using indigenous yeasts. The wines are then left to rest on fine lees. The wines are not fined or filtered, and bottling is done without or with very little sulphur.

In contrast to the current trend in Puglia vineyards, Valentina's wines seek to express the minerality of her terroir by focusing on fruity juices with low alcohol content. It can be a very good reason to discover orange wine for example! 

Very refreshing natural wines to drink all year round! Thank you Valentina! You can also find these wines on the Winery Calcarius page!