Vigneti del Salento, is part of the Fantini group, founded by Valentino Sciotti in 1994 to produce top-quality wine from Abruzzo and (later) southern Italy as a whole. These Puglian wines are made at two wineries in the province of Taranto, on the western flank of Salento, by resident winemaker Danilo Gizzi and consultant winemaker Filippo Baccalaro. Filippo, a native of Piemonte, has been working in Puglia for almost two decades. He was originally attracted to the region by the rich, ripe flavours of the grapes that grow there. Filippo consistently aims to capture these flavours with minimal use of technology but a lot of knowhow. The resulting wines are expressive of their site yet also carry the style of Fantini’s other exceptional wines.

Puglia, located in the heel of Italy’s boot, is one of the country’s most prolific wine-producing regions. Known for its sun-drenched landscapes and ancient viticultural heritage, Puglia has traditionally focused on quantity, though quality has increased significantly in recent decades.

The region experiences a hot, dry Mediterranean climate, with long summers and minimal rainfall – ideal for ripening grapes to full maturity. Coastal breezes from the Adriatic and Ionian Seas help moderate the heat, while the inland areas experience more extreme temperatures. Drought can be a challenge, but the region's native grape varieties are well-adapted to these conditions.

Puglia is divided into several key wine areas, including Salento in the south, known for robust reds, and Castel del Monte in the north, which has seen growing recognition for its quality wines.

The region is best known for red grape varieties. Primitivo, genetically linked to Zinfandel, produces bold, fruit-forward wines with high alcohol. Negroamaro is another key variety, offering darker, earthier reds, often used in blends. Nero di Troia and Malvasia Nera also feature prominently. While reds dominate, white grapes like Verdeca, Bombino Bianco, and Fiano are increasingly being cultivated.

Puglia continues to grow in popularity for offering expressive, approachable wines with a strong sense of place and great value.

Zinfandel, known as Primitivo in Italy, is a dark-skinned grape variety with a complex, intertwined history. DNA analysis confirms that both are genetically identical, tracing their origin to the ancient Croatian variety Crljenak Kaštelanski. Despite shared genetics, the two expressions have developed distinct regional identities.

Zinfandel thrives in warm, dry climates, ripening unevenly—often resulting in clusters with both ripe and underripe berries. This trait can lead to wines with high alcohol and intense concentration when carefully managed. The grape is particularly associated with California, especially regions like Napa Valley, Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley, and Paso Robles. In Italy, Primitivo is a key variety in Puglia, especially in the DOCs of Primitivo di Manduria and Gioia del Colle.

Zinfandel produces bold red wines with rich, jammy fruit flavours such as blackberry, plum, and raspberry, often accompanied by notes of black pepper, spice, and liquorice. In California, it ranges from fruit-forward, medium-bodied styles to robust, oak-aged wines with higher alcohol. It’s also used for off-dry White Zinfandel rosés. In Puglia, Primitivo tends to be darker, earthier, and more savoury.