Organic, Vegan

Menhir Salento SpA was founded in 2002 by brothers Gaetano and Veto Angelo Marangelli. They work closely with their unspoiled land and organic vineyards in the Valle dell’Idro, down on the very tip of the heel of Italy, where the Idro River flows through the ancient city of Otranto and into the Straits of Otranto that connect the Adriatic Sea to the Ionian Sea.

Founded as the Greek settlement of Hydrus, (Hydruntum in Latin, later Hydruntu), Otranto sided first with Pyrrhus and then later with Hannibal against Rome, was absorbed into the Empire and became an important port for embarkation to points East during the Imperial period, then after the fall of Rome became a Byzantine possession until finally conquered by Norman Robert Guiscard in 1068. After about 400 years under Norman control, the region was invaded and briefly held by the Ottoman troops of Mehmet the Conqueror in 1480, then quickly reverted to the Kingdom of Naples, and remained part of that kingdom and its successor states until it was created a Grand Duchy of the Empire by Napoleon in 1809. After incorporation into the Kingdom of Italy, Otranto saw major actions in both World War I and II as a strategic location at the mouth of the Adriatic, and today the historic city is a beautiful, slightly sleepy resort city.

Otranto and the Straits, courtesy Nasa / Goddard Space Flight Center

Otranto and the Straits, courtesy Nasa / Goddard Space Flight Center

The famous Grottos of Bagnolo del Salento (courtesy tripadvisor.com)

The famous Grottos of Bagnolo del Salento (courtesy tripadvisor.com)

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Menhir Salento is located in Minervino de Lecce, about 6 miles into the hills southwest of Otranto. Their 125-acre property is farmed entirely organically, producing grapes, olives, cereal crops and vegetables. The property works with indigenous varieties including Negro Amaro, Malvasia Nera, Susumaniello, and the rare local white variety Verdeca. They also operate a spectacular organic restaurant, the Osteria Origano Cibo e Vino.

The Wines

The Terroir is largely Mesozoic (Jurassic-Cretaceous) marine limestones overlain with Pleistocene clay/limestone soils, rich in calcium and magnesium.

Pietra Verdeca (Salento IGT): 100% Verdeca from 30-year-old vines grown on red calcareous soils. Fermented in Acacia wood barriques then aged for about 3 months in Acacia before bottling. Brilliant straw-yellow color, with notes of white fruit and anise flower. Unique and compelling. 850 cases/year produced.

Pietra Salento Rosado (Salento IGT): 100% Susumaniello, grown on argillaceous/calcareous soils. A quick 2-hour maceration followed by fermentation in stainless steel, then 3 months ageing in Acacia before bottling. Bright cherry fruit with whiffs of red berry, light-medium rose color. Excellent with shellfish, squid… 1700 cases/year produced

Pietra Salice Salentino DOC: 80% Negroamaro, 20% Malvasia Nera, from 40-year old vines planted on argillaceous soils . Fermented in French and American oak, then aged in 2-year old 225-Lt oak for 6 months before bottling. Ripe and elegant with red berry fruit and a long finish. 850 cases/year produced

Pietra Susumaniello (Salento IGT): 100% Sususmaniello grown on red calcareous soils. Fermented then aged 6 months in Acacia wood. Deep and powerful with intense red fruit and good structure. This is their baby and flagship wine, with 3750 cases/year produced. Gambero Rosso “best of Italy”, 92pts from “Best Italian Wines of 2020.”

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