Summary
Torrevento is one of the best-known wineries in Apulia and has devoted itself like few others to the rediscovery of the indigenous grape Nero di Troia. The estate is based in an old 17th-century monastery cellar, in the middle of the Alta Murgia National Park and within sight of the famous octagonal Castel del Monte of Emperor Frederick II. From here the Liantonio family today farms around 500 hectares of vines, crafting powerful, spicy reds as well as fresh whites and rosés from native varieties. The Riserva wines Ottagono and Vigna Pedale have made Torrevento a fixture in the Italian wine guides.
History
Torrevento's roots go back to Francesco Liantonio, the forefather of an Apulian family of winegrowers and merchants. After years in the USA he returned to Apulia in the 1920s and began processing grapes and producing olive oil. The decisive step toward today's winery came in 1948: that year the historic estate with its monastery cellar passed into the family's hands, was restructured and built up into "Vinicola Torrevento".
The heart of the estate is a former monastery cellar from the 17th century, once used by members of a religious order as a wine cellar. Over the decades the rural business grew into a modern producer with around 500 hectares of vineyard, consistently focused on Apulia's native grapes. To this day the estate remains under the direction of the Liantonio family.
Location & Terroir
Torrevento lies in Corato in the province of Bari, within the Alta Murgia National Park – a bare, wide limestone plateau in the north of Apulia. Above it all rises the octagonal Castel del Monte, the emblem of the region and the source of the appellation's name. The soils are marked by limestone and red, iron-rich clay; the climate is Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and clear differences in temperature between day and night.
This elevation and the cool nights suit the late-ripening Nero di Troia particularly well: they ensure slow, even ripening, well-preserved acidity and pronounced aromatics. Limestone-rich soils and the dryness of the Murgia give the wines their distinctive spice and structure.
Style & Philosophy
Torrevento sees itself as an ambassador of Apulian grape diversity. At the centre stands Nero di Troia (Uva di Troia), a late-ripening, tannic variety regarded as one of the region's noblest. Alongside it, Primitivo, Aglianico and the Bombino family (Bombino Nero and Bianco) as well as further native varieties such as Pampanuto and Moscato Reale play a role.
The reds are built for character and ageing: dark fruit, spicy notes of tobacco, leather and dark spices, firm yet ripe tannins. The Riserva wines mature in French barriques and then in bottle. The range is rounded out by approachable rosés and whites that show the fresh, fruity side of Apulia. Sustainability, research and working exclusively with indigenous vines shape the estate's philosophy.
Notable Vineyards & Wines
The range is clearly tiered – from approachable everyday wines to the prestigious Riserva cuvées. Among the best-known wines are:
- Ottagono – Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG, the prestige flagship; aged in French oak
- Vigna Pedale – Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva DOCG from 100% Nero di Troia, a repeat "Tre Bicchieri" winner
- Bolonero – Castel del Monte DOC, a blend of Aglianico and Nero di Troia
- Primitivo and further reds under the Puglia IGT appellation
- Rosés and whites from native varieties such as Bombino
The Castel del Monte area was awarded DOCG status with Nero di Troia in 2014 – a milestone to which Torrevento contributed through decades of work on the grape.
Awards
Torrevento is one of Apulia's regularly awarded producers. The Vigna Pedale has been honoured several times by Gambero Rosso – at times over consecutive vintages – with the coveted "Tre Bicchieri", and wines such as the Bolonero and the Ottagono have likewise found recognition in the leading Italian wine guides. The estate has also been honoured for sustainable vineyard work. Torrevento thus ranks among the houses that have done much to cement the reputation of Nero di Troia and the Castel del Monte area well beyond Apulia.