The Eastern Murge occupy the south-eastern part of the Murgia plateau, between Martina Franca, the Itria Valley and the slope leading down towards Massafra and the Taranto area. It is a landscape characterised by limestone hills, terraces, ‘lame’, sinkholes and ravines, where exposed rock coexists with vineyards, olive groves, pastures, fragno woods and Mediterranean scrub. The presence of dry stone walls, trulli and farmhouses bears witness to a long-standing relationship between agriculture, livestock farming and the careful management of natural resources.
The geological base consists mainly of marine limestone, shaped by karst phenomena. The dissolution of the rock gives rise to the characteristic red Mediterranean soils, often rich in mineral content, with clayey or clay-silty textures and a good supply of mineral elements. These soils, combined with the hilly terrain and good air circulation, promote the gradual ripening of the grapes and help to maintain balance, flavour and aromatic intensity.
The climate is Mediterranean, with bright, dry summers, mild winters and significant temperature variations between day and night, which are particularly noticeable at higher altitudes. The breezes from the Adriatic and the Ionian Seas help to preserve the health of the grapes and give the wines a fresher, more fragrant character.
The local winemaking tradition places particular emphasis on the white grape varieties of the Itria Valley, including Verdeca and Bianco d’Alessano, alongside Malvasia Bianca and other historically established varieties. This yields delicate yet savoury white wines, characterised by floral aromas, citrus notes and a pleasant mineral character, as well as sparkling wines produced through secondary fermentation. In the warmer areas, Primitivo, Negroamaro and other red grape varieties are also cultivated, used for red wines, rosés and more structured styles. The winemaking process combines selective harvesting, gentle pressing, temperature-controlled fermentation and ageing methods designed to preserve the purity of the fruit and the identity of the terroir.