Feudi di San Marzano

Feudi di San Marzano – Apulia's collective memory in a glass

The story of Feudi di San Marzano begins with a simple yet far-reaching decision: In 1962, nineteen winegrowing families from the small town of San Marzano di San Giuseppe, whose ancestors had cultivated this land for generations, joined forces. They founded Cantine San Marzano – a cooperative that wanted to pool their grapes and their experience to create something greater than any one family could have achieved alone. In 2003 , Cantine San Marzano and the Abruzzo-based winery Farnese Vini merged to form Feudi di San Marzano ; in 2013 , the partners separated, and Feudi di San Marzano continued on its independent path.

Structure and Philosophy

What stands behind the name today is impressive: around 1,500 winegrowers cultivate more than 1,200 hectares of vineyards together. Many of these plots are still cultivated using the traditional Alberello system – a bush-like training method that allows the vines to develop deep roots and withstand even dry years. Feudi di San Marzano avoids chemical fertilizers, relies on old vines, and harvests exclusively by hand. The aim: to combine traditional craftsmanship and modern winemaking knowledge in such a way that the native varieties – above all Primitivo and Negroamaro , but also Malvasia Nera, Fiano, and Verdeca – can reach their full potential.

Location and terroir

San Marzano di San Giuseppe lies in the heart of the Primitivo di Manduria DOP , in that narrow strip of land in Puglia nestled between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. The vineyards thrive on the characteristic terra rossa soil – red earth that owes its color to iron oxide and rests on soft limestone. The soil is nutrient-poor, the sun is intense, and a constant sea breeze regulates the temperatures, keeping the grapes healthy. The result is wines with ripeness and substance, but without the ponderous heaviness sometimes hastily attributed to Puglian wines.

Style and wines

Feudi di San Marzano's portfolio spans a clear range – from accessible entry-level wines to mature Riservas:

• I Tratturi Primitivo Puglia IGT is the winery's entry-level line. The vines grow at an altitude of almost 100 meters on clay soil with high temperatures and low rainfall – resulting in an uncomplicated, fruit-forward Primitivo with genuine character at an unbeatable price.
• Sessantanni Primitivo di Manduria DOC is the crown jewel. The name stands for "60 years"—the age of the vines from which these grapes originate, from the municipalities of San Marzano and Sava. After fermentation, the wine matures for 12 months in oak barrels from France and America: powerful, complex, with deep fruit.
• Anniversario 62 Primitivo di Manduria Riserva is a tribute to the founding year of 1962. Slightly overripe Primitivo grapes from San Marzano and Sava mature for 18 months in barriques – a wine that brings all the richness and warmth of Salento into the bottle.

Feudi di San Marzano at Vinoscout

At Vinoscout you'll find 24 wines from Feudi di San Marzano, from the beginner-friendly I Tratturi Sauvignon-Malvasia Bianco starting at €5.60 to aged rarities. Among the best-selling bottles are the Sessantanni Primitivo di Manduria DOC , the Anniversario 62 Primitivo di Manduria Riserva, and the I Tratturi Primitivo Puglia – three wines that together showcase the full range of the estate. Those wishing to explore the red wines of Puglia beyond Primitivo will find further worthwhile discoveries in the F Negroamaro Salento and the SUD Primitivo di Manduria .