From mass-market wine cooperative to Apulian reference address
The history of L'Antesi begins with a departure. When Angelo Maci founded the Cantine Due Palme cooperative in Cellino San Marco south of Brindisi in 1989, Apulia was still far from international renown. At that time, most small farmers in the region sold their grapes and wine as bulk wine at low prices — often as raw material to wineries in Northern Italy. Maci, a third-generation winemaker himself and a trained agronomist, convinced 15 colleagues to jointly found a cooperative that consistently prioritizes quality over volume. What began as a small association grew into one of the most significant cooperatives in Southern Italy: today, over 1,200 member farms with around 2,500 hectares of vineyard area in the provinces of Brindisi, Lecce, and Taranto work together. The L'Antesi brand represents the heart of this cooperative — the artisanally produced single-vineyard wines from Salento that show what this soil is truly capable of. In the meantime, Angelo Maci's daughter Melissa has taken over the presidency and continues to lead the winery in his spirit.
Handwork in the vineyard, precision in the cellar
L'Antesi cultivates the red, lime-rich soils of the Salento peninsula — the heel of Italy's boot, wedged between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. The nocturnal cooling from the sea breezes slows down ripening, sharpens the aromas, and keeps alcohol levels moderate. Yields remain deliberately low, which concentrates the grapes. All vineyards are managed by a permanent agronomist of the cooperative; harvesting is done selectively by hand. In the cellar, they work with malolactic fermentation and controlled temperature management — for the flagship Casalécchio di Sorbo, for example, about 18 days of fermentation in steel tanks, then malolactic fermentation and aging for about ten months in French barriques, followed by at least six months of bottle aging. Cantine Due Palme is one of the few cooperatives in Italy that is allowed to declare its wines as integralmente prodotti — produced entirely in-house — ensuring complete traceability from the vineyard to the bottle. Furthermore, the winery has been investing in pesticide-free cultivation for years and holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications. Another core concern is the preservation of the traditional Apulian Alberello training system — the bush-shaped free-standing vine without a wire frame, which keeps the grapes close to the heated ground and ensures concentrated, characterful berries.
Indigenous strength: Negroamaro, Primitivo, and the Casalécchio
The L'Antesi range revolves around the classic Salento appellations: Squinzano DOC, Salice Salentino DOC, and Salice Salentino Riserva. The grape varieties Negroamaro, Malvasia Nera, Primitivo, and the almost extinct Susumaniello form the backbone — single-varietal or minimally blended wines that are powerful and fruit-intense without appearing heavy. The Salice Salentino Riserva shows what the region can achieve with reduced yields and longer aging: dense structure, dark fruit, long finish. Beyond the DOC range, the Casalécchio di Sorbo stands as an IGP cuvée made from Primitivo and Syrah — half harvested from old vines, ten months in barriques, then bottle aging. The result: deep ruby red, blackberry, raspberry, chocolate, and a hint of licorice, velvety on the palate with firm, well-integrated tannins. Serving temperature: 16–18 °C. Pairs with braised beef, pasta with game ragù, or aged Pecorino.
