Vallone Tenuta Serranova Appassimento

Produced from 100% Negroamaro grapes sourced from a 10ha vineyard with
soils rich in clay and limestone, just 3km from the Adriatic. Following
the 'appassimento' process, the grapes are late-harvested, left to dry
naturally on the vine, before being pressed and vinified. This increases
the concentration of sugars, and produces wines with slightly higher
alcohol and residual sweetness. The grapes are gently pressed and
fermented in stainless steel, with malolactic fermentation in concrete -
where the wine is left to rest for around 8-10 months, followed by 3-4
months in bottle.Tenuta Serranova takes its name from the Castello di Serranova – a
‘masseria’ or fortified house just 5km from the Adriatic coast in the
north of Brindisi. It was built in 1350 as a defence against the
neighbouring Turkish forces, and now sits in the Torre Guaceto nature
reserve which surrounds an ancient coastal watchtower. The castle was
enlarged in the 1600s to become an important agricultural estate, and
was purchased by the Vallone family in the 19th Century. It is now run
by Vittoria, Maria Teresa and Francesco Vallone. The Tenuta Serranova
estate is managed organically, and the vineyards planted on mixed sand
and clay soils are predominantly Susumaniello (10ha) and Ottavianello
(3ha), alongside Fiano and Negroamaro. It is also home to 60 hectares of
olive trees – probably the largest single-owned olive tree plantation
of its kind in Salento.