The sunbaked land of Manduria, on the coast of the inside of the heel of “The Boot”, is home to Primitivo, one of the most revered grapes of Southern Italy, and along with its progeny, Zinfandel, one of the most widely recognized.

The Gianfreda family has been working the vineyards of Antica Masseria Jorche since the turn of the 20th century. After Phylloxera destroyed the vines in the ‘20s, the family set to work to replant the vineyards. They grew in production, the juice being sent to wineries in the north, planting vineyards where old fig and almond trees once stood. In the late ‘50s, the family’s new patriarch, Cosimo, begin to focus on building a modern winery, capable of production and bottling of their own wines. Under the guidance of Antonio, Cosimo’s son, the winery has grown to be the most respected producer of Primitivo di Manduria in the region. Today, the fifth generation of Gianfredas manage the winery: daughters Dalila and Emanuela (the former business, the latter wine-maker). The joy of working with this wonderful family cannot be overstated. The wines are a reflection of their dedication and commitment to the continuation of their ancestors’ hard work, expressing the very best that Manduria has to offer through their selection of wines, primarily based on the Primitivo grape.