Polvanera

Polvanera was born from a long family tradition that has always had roots in viticulture. The cellar is rooted in the territory and is immersed in a unique landscape with vineyards, dry stone walls and oak stalks. The rows are home to the typical varieties of the area, from Marchione to Muscat, from Aglianico to Primitivo, along with Minutolo, Falanghina, Aleatico and Bianco d'Alessano.

The geographical location, the organic agriculture and the cellar, which is 8 meters excavated in the limestone rock to allow the wines to refine at a constant temperature, result in extraordinary expressions of the typical Primivo of the area and other varieties. Unique and extraordinary bottles come to life and represent a fixed point in the Apulian wine tradition.

Polvanera was founded in 2002 through the determination of its owner and oenologist Filippo Cassano. He has always been well aware of the potential of his territory and its typical grapes. Thanks to his father’s skills in viticulture and his own traning at “Basile Caramia” School of Agriculture in Locorotondo, Filippo decided to bet on pure vinification — a process that enhances the peculiar characteristics of both vines and terroir.

Located between Acquaviva delle Fonti and Gioia del Colle, Polvanera is surrounded by a singular countryside, with typical dry stone walls, downy oaks and vineyards. The cellar itself is uncommon: excavated 8 meters into limestone rock, this charming structure allows the ageing of wines at a constant temperature. The annexed building is a 1820 manor to which tourists and guests are welcomed to taste wines.

Polvanera is next to a famous touristic area of Apulia, 30 minutes far from the Itria Valley and Matera. The harvest of grapes takes place during the first ten days of September. Latest equipments for pressing and vinification contribute to the BIO selection offered by Polvanera. Thanks to his worthy co-workers and the support of his family, Filippo Cassano holds on his ambitious project of promoting and enhancing the quality of Primitivo and other indigenous vines.

The production of Polvanera covers an area of around 100ha of Primitivo, Aleatico, Aglianico, Minutolo, Moscato, Falangina, Bianco d’Alessano, Marchione and Maresco. The wines differ from one another with regards to the vineyard’s age and the type of soil in which they are planted, ranging from 300–450m above sea level. Altitudes and temperature ranges guarantee the expression of fine and elegant scents in the wine.

The growing methods are bush vines (60-year-old vineyard) and spur pruned cordon training and in accordance to the principles of organic farming. Our wines’ tastes are rooted in tradition: grapes produced by the old bush vines are vinified with modern yet absolutely simple oenological practices. Maturation and fermentation take place in stainless steel tanks and in the bottle.

Our wines seek no oak barrels at all to preserve the original tastes and characteristics of Primitivo and also to avoid oxidation. This combination of tradition and innovation gives life to a wine strictly connected to its territory, with high drinkability and typical elegant, fresh and mineral notes.