Primitivo Pilùna 2021

Castello Monaci is located in the heart of the Salice Salentino DOC, which is in Puglia, a region along the Adriatic Sea in the “heel of the boot” of farthest southeast Italy. The production of Castello Monaci’s estate wines is carefully followed from the vineyards to the winery and into the bottle. The estate is dedicated to their sustainable philosophy and is one of a small number of Italian estates to have their sustainability certified by DNV-GL, a globally recognized firm. Even Castello Monaci’s packaging is eco-friendly, carrying the Environmental Management System Certificate logo. 

Castello Monaci is a benchmark producer crafting wines from Southern Italy’s indigenous grapes: Primitivo, Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera. The region of Puglia is drenched in the most intense sunlight in all of Italy tempered only by the Adriatic and Ionian seas which provide constant, cooling maritime winds. This unique climate helps produce exquisitely balanced fruit. 

The Castello Monaci estate is housed in a 16th century castle with medieval foundations once run by Basilian monks who maintained a long winemaking tradition. Lina Memmo, whose family has owned the estate since the 19th century, and husband Vitantonio Seracca Guerrieri, currently own the property. Each vineyard parcel is cultivated, harvested—always at night to unsure the best quality of grapes—and vinified separately in small tanks. The area dedicated to aging wines is a spectacular barrel cellar dug out of the hard rock that houses 1,000 barriques and 18 French oak barrels.

Castello Monaci’s cellars are surrounded by over 350 acres of vineyards, including old vine Negroamaro and Primitivo. In addition, they have expanded their estate with holdings near Brindisi planted with white varietals. Vitantonio Seracca Guerrieri, president of the estate, who for years has experimented with selections to enhance the native vines of Salento, supervises the work in the vineyards personally.

“Castello Monaci is one of the most beautiful properties in Puglia AND an excellent source of value wines. It includes a fairytale castle with intricate crenelated walls and a stunning courtyard garden. In fact, this is one of the most popular sites for weddings in the southern half of the Italian peninsula. The winemaking activities of the estate are managed by Gruppo Italiano Vino, Italy’s biggest wine company. GIV was among the first to make important investments in Puglia, and was also among the first to employ temperature-control technology for hot climate wines. I have tasted the wines from Castello Monaci regularly over the past decade and can attest to their overall consistency and quality. ” —THE WINE ADVOCATE

“Castello Monaci could well be considered a model for winemaking in Apulia.” — GAMBERO ROSSO

“Piluna” translates into “pot of clay” or an ancient container used to store water or wine. This 100% Primitivo is grown from vineyards surrounding the ancient Castello Monaci estate. Soils are a blend of dry clay, volcanic gravel and limestone. Vines are forced deep in search of water, leading to low yields and rich, fragrant wines. Harvest is done by hand prior to dawn to preserve sugar levels and avoid the hot sunlight. The grapes are vinified in small stainless steel tanks prior to 6 months of aging in 75% stainless steel and 25% 2nd and 3rd use French oak.