Gianfranco Fino

Gianfranco Fino established his eponymous estate in 2004, bringing an agronomist's precision and a background in olive oil production to Apulian viticulture. The focus from the outset was on old-vine Primitivo grown in the Manduria zone, with a philosophy rooted in minimal intervention and fierce respect for local identity. The flagship wine, ES Primitivo, gained rapid international attention, appearing at the G8 summit in 2009 and at a Danish Royal banquet the same year. In 2010, Gambero Rosso named Fino Winemaker of the Year, making him the first recipient from central or southern Italy to receive the honor.

• Founded 2004 by Gianfranco Fino, an agronomist with roots in olive oil production
• ES Primitivo served at the G8 summit in 2009
• Gambero Rosso Winemaker of the Year 2010, first awarded to a southern Italian producer

The estate's 14.5 hectares are divided across 15 individual parcels in the Sava area of the Province of Taranto. Soils are limestone-clayey red earth, a classic profile for this part of Apulia that delivers structure and mineral depth to the wines. The climate is warm and dry Mediterranean, moderated by breezes from the nearby Ionian Sea. Vines range from 50 to 90 years old and are trained in the traditional Pugliese alberello bush system, which limits yields and concentrates flavor. No irrigation is used, and chemical herbicides are entirely absent from the vineyard program.

• Limestone-clayey red soils across all 15 parcels
• Warm, dry Mediterranean climate with Ionian Sea breezes
• Vines aged 50 to 90 years, trained as traditional Pugliese bush vines
• Zero irrigation and no chemical herbicides

Gianfranco Fino works exclusively with Primitivo and Negroamaro, the two signature red varieties of Apulia. Wines are full-bodied with high alcohol content, reflecting both the ripeness of the old vines and the intensity of the Mediterranean growing season. All grapes are harvested by hand, and wines spend a minimum of nine months aging in 228-liter French oak barriques. Productions are classified as either IGT Salento or Primitivo di Manduria DOP. The estate's entire output sits around 15,000 bottles per year, preserving the artisanal, small-lot character that defines the project.

• Grapes: Primitivo and Negroamaro only
• Classifications: IGT Salento and Primitivo di Manduria DOP
• Minimum 9 months aging in 228-liter French oak barriques
• Full-bodied, high-alcohol wines with strong territorial character

Beyond winemaking, Gianfranco Fino offers a complete agritourism experience at the estate. Visitors can participate in wine tastings and stay in on-site accommodations, connecting directly with the landscape and philosophy that shapes each vintage. This hospitality dimension reflects the estate's broader commitment to Puglian culture and identity, extending the sense of place from the glass into the experience of the land itself.

• Wine tastings available on-site
• Accommodations offered for visiting guests
• Agritourism program rooted in Puglian cultural identity