The Murge Tarantine occupy the hilly area of the province of Taranto and form the southern extension of the Murgian plateau, in a landscape that slopes down from the ravines and hills of the hinterland towards the Ionian coast. The landscape alternates between gentle hills, terraces, karst formations and connecting plains, with vineyards set within an agricultural mosaic where olive trees, almond trees, arable land and historic farmsteads coexist.
The climate is typically Mediterranean: warm and sunny, with dry summers, rainfall concentrated in the cooler months, and the influence of breezes from the Ionian Sea. The breeze helps to keep the grapes healthy, whilst the temperature variation between day and night – most pronounced in inland and hilly areas – promotes aromatic ripening and preserves freshness.
The geological composition consists mainly of limestone and calcarenite, often covered by red soil, with localised clay and sandy components. These soils, which vary in depth and texture, promote a good balance between drainage and water availability, providing conditions suited to distinctive Mediterranean viticulture.
Primitivo is the area’s flagship grape variety, producing intense, smooth and structured red wines with aromas of dark fruits, spices and Mediterranean scrub. Alongside it are Negroamaro, Malvasia Nera, Aleatico, Cabernet Sauvignon and other authorised grape varieties, used to produce red, rosé, white and fortified wines. The ‘Colline Joniche Tarantine’, ‘Lizzano’ and ‘Primitivo di Manduria’ appellations reflect the region’s oenological diversity.
The winemaking tradition is deeply rooted in Taranto’s long agricultural history and is linked to the local farmsteads, vineyards tended using traditional methods, and modern winemaking practices, which include fermentation in stainless steel, ageing in wood, and wines made from late-harvest or dried grapes.