Morella (Azienda Agricola Morella)

Morella was established in 2000 by Lisa Gilbee, an Australian winemaker, and her husband Gaetano Morella. The estate operates under the official name Azienda Agricola Morella and is situated in the Salento peninsula of Puglia, one of southern Italy's most important wine regions. The founders' vision centered on revitalizing old, neglected bush vine vineyards and returning them to productive, quality-focused cultivation.

• Founded 2000 by Lisa Gilbee and Gaetano Morella
• Lisa Gilbee brings an Australian winemaking background to Puglia
• Estate spans 20 hectares in the Salento appellation
• Mission focused on preserving and revitalizing old-vine heritage

The estate sits just 3km from the Ionian Sea, giving it a Mediterranean climate moderated by consistent sea breezes that temper the intense summer heat of Salento. Soils are terra rossa, a red clay over limestone that is characteristic of the region and well-suited to the cultivation of Primitivo. All farming is conducted biodynamically, and the bush vines, trained in the traditional albarello style, range from 45 to 95 years old.

• Terra rossa (red clay over limestone) soils throughout the estate
• Mediterranean climate moderated by proximity to the Ionian Sea
• Traditional albarello bush vine training used across the estate
• Biodynamic farming practices employed in all vineyard management

Morella emphasizes purity and minimal intervention throughout the winemaking process. Fermentation relies entirely on indigenous yeasts in open-top fermenters, with hand-plunging used to manage cap extraction. After fermentation, wines are pressed using a traditional basket press. This approach preserves the natural character of the old vines and reflects the estate's biodynamic commitment from vineyard to cellar.

• Indigenous yeast fermentation in open-top fermenters
• Hand-plunged cap management during fermentation
• Basket press used for gentle extraction
• No use of commercial yeasts; full reliance on native microflora

Primitivo is the star of the Morella range, with 12 of the estate's 20 hectares planted to the variety. The oldest and most distinctive vineyard parcels are bottled separately as individual crus: Old Vines Primitivo, La Signora Primitivo, Mondo Nuovo Primitivo, and Alla Fiorentina Primitivo. This cru approach highlights the differences between parcels and vine ages within the estate. The portfolio also includes wines from Negroamaro, Malbec, and Fiano.

• Four distinct Primitivo crus bottled individually from old vine parcels
• 12 hectares of bush vine Primitivo with ages from 45 to 95 years
• Negroamaro, Malbec, and Fiano also grown on the estate
• Total production approximately 40,000 bottles per year