Dario De Pascale, co-founder of Amalberga, emphasized this concept repeatedly during the webinar presenting his winery’s wines, almost like a mantra:
“From the very beginning of this journey, more than ten years ago, we decided that we would only enter the market when our wines were truly ready.”
A bold decision in an era dominated by the ‘here and now,’ where the ability to wait is often seen as a drawback rather than a virtue.
Dario De Pascale
It’s worth considering that, in the ’70s and ’80s, record labels used to wait until an artist’s third album before determining their success or failure. If it hadn’t been that way, we might have missed out on Lucio Dalla. Nowadays, if you don’t churn out at least one hit per month, you’re lucky to last a season, all at the expense of the overall quality of musical production, which has noticeably declined. Coming back to wine and Amalberga, the sense of patience that inspired Dario De Pascale and his partners (and friends) Roberto Fracassetti and Roberto Candia, alongside oenologists Valentino Ciarla and Gloria Battista, combined with their strong desire to revive the Ostuni DOC, has led to truly remarkable results.
The wines from Amalberga are truly fascinating, I must admit I’ve fallen in love with them. They perfectly embody what wine should be today, a concept we could call “modern,” even if the term is somewhat overused. The secret behind Amalberga’s wines, if we can call it a secret, lies in their simplicity. By simplicity, I mean they possess an extraordinary drinkability, paired with a natural ability to complement food, what we would call “gastronomic” in industry jargon.
Yet, the beauty of these wines is that they also exhibit traits of originality, elegance, and complexity. I’m particularly referring to the two whites, Stùne and Icona d’Itria, which not only have great character but also show impressive aging potential. As for the Ottavianello Ostuni Rosso, it’s the kind of wine I’d love to have on my table every day, even in summer—slightly chilled, it’s irresistible.
The Winery and the Territory of the Ostuni DOC
The winery’s name is inspired by Amalberga of Temse, a Belgian nun venerated as a saint in Flanders and known as the protector of farmers and sailors. Amalberga has undertaken meticulous work in both the existing vineyards and small new plots, adhering to the principles of organic farming. Across the 11 hectares owned by the winery and an additional 12 hectares from partner estates, they cultivate Francavilla, Impigno, Minutolo, Bianco D’Alessano, Primitivo, Verdeca, Ottavianello, Susumaniello, Aleatico, and Negroamaro.
Among these stand out the historic vineyards of Primitivo, dating back to 1952, the Verdeca with its bush vines over 60 years old, and the Negroamaro with an average age of 55 years. Although the official debut took place at Vinitaly 2024, and the completion of the structure is also scheduled for summer 2024, the Amalberga project began over a decade ago in the Ostuni countryside, driven by clear and innovative goals for both the denomination and the region: the creation of a contemporary winery that excels in wine production, architecture, and hospitality.
The history of the Ostuni Doc
Established in January 1972 to recognize and regulate the wine-growing potential of the region, the Ostuni denomination has been managed since its inception by the Ostuni cooperative winery. It includes the Bianco di Ostuni, which is made from impigno, francavilla, and verdeca grapes, as well as the Ottavianello di Ostuni, which also incorporates notardomenico and, to a lesser extent, negroamaro, susumaniello, and primitivo.
Despite the protections afforded to the Ostuni area, incentives for vineyard uprooting, scandals in the Italian wine industry during the 1980s, and shortsighted national and community policies have led to the removal of almost all the vineyards in Ostuni and the Itria Valley, which once boasted over 4,000 hectares of vines. This represented a significant loss for the territory, the wine sector, and the Ostuni DOC, which has survived solely due to the efforts of the Greco family, who, with just one hectare of land, have reclaimed the designation each year.
Today, Amalberga aims to tell the story of this region and enhance its value through its project and wines, striving to secure the rightful place it deserves in the regional wine landscape.
Tasting notes
The Amalberga project was conceived to rediscover the DOC Ostuni denomination, a remarkable region with untapped potential.
Stùne DOC Bianco Ostuni 2023
“Simplicity is a complex thing,” says winemaker Valentino Ciarla during the webinar, perfectly summarizing this wine made from 50% Impigno and 50% Francavidda grapes. The nose is delicate yet enveloping, featuring citrus fruits and floral notes. On the palate, it is fresh, sapid, and dynamic, combining pleasure with elegance.
Icona d’Itria IGT Salento Verdeca 2023
This wine represents contemporary Puglia while honoring its roots. This pure Verdeca, sourced from vineyards over sixty years old, boasts a captivating expressiveness. Aromatically, it is complex, revealing fresh and citrusy fruits alongside delicate herbal notes. On the palate, it is elegant, full-bodied, and expressive, with a long and enveloping finish. A wine with great aging potential; I expect wonderful surprises in the future.
Stùne Ottavianello DOC Ostuni Rosso 2023
Made from Ottavianello grapes, this is the wine I would love to have on my table every day, even in summer. Served slightly chilled, it is truly irresistible. The nose offers delightful aromas of red fruit, while the palate is dynamic and juicy, it’s a wine meant to be enjoyed and savoured again and again.
For more details: https://amalberga.it/