In the heart of the Bari Murgia, between Gioia del Colle and Acquaviva delle Fonti, stretches an authentic landscape of orderly vineyards, red soil, and peaceful rural silence.
It is here that Cantine Polvanera rises from the limestone rock itself. More than just a winery, it is a sensory experience immersed in the Apulian countryside, only a short distance from iconic destinations such as the Valle d’Itria and Matera. Today, it is considered an international reference point for Primitivo Gioia del Colle DOC.
A family story deeply connected to the land
The story of Polvanera is closely tied to the Cassano family and the local winemaking tradition.
Founded in 2002 by Filippo Cassano, the winery was created with the goal of enhancing the territory through a “pure” approach to winemaking, designed to fully express native grape varieties — above all, Primitivo.
The name “Polvanera” refers to the dark, iron-rich soil of the area, but it is also linked to the history of the 19th-century farmhouse attached to the winery, once associated with charcoal production.
One of the winery’s most distinctive features is its cellar itself: carved approximately eight meters deep into limestone rock, creating naturally constant temperature and humidity conditions ideal for wine aging.
The historic masseria dating back to 1820 also tells the agricultural story of the Marchesana district, once owned by local feudal estates before being redistributed to farmers during the 19th century.
Signature wines: the kingdom of Primitivo
At the center of production is Primitivo di Gioia del Colle, one of Puglia’s historic grape varieties, whose origins date back to Balkan migrations between the 15th and 16th centuries.
Polvanera interprets Primitivo through several labels, including:
- Polvanera 14 – Vigneto Marchesana: aged for 24 months in stainless steel and 12 months in bottle;
- Polvanera 16 – Vigneto San Benedetto: produced from vineyards in Acquaviva delle Fonti and aged in the same style;
- Polvanera 17 – Vigneto Montevella: one of the winery’s deepest and most intense expressions of Primitivo.
Alongside Primitivo, the winery cultivates several native grape varieties — including Aglianico, Minutolo, Negroamaro, and Nero di Troia — across approximately 100–120 hectares of vineyards, with production that is almost entirely organic.
Other standout labels include:
- Minutolo IGT Valle d’Itria (organic)
- Verdeca IGT Puglia (organic)
- Montevella, a traditional-method sparkling rosé
The result is a collection of elegant, fresh wines deeply connected to the terroir and designed to express the most authentic side of Puglia.
Winery experiences
This is where Polvanera transforms from a winery into a true wine tourism destination.
A visit here is far more than a simple tasting — it is an immersive journey through rural architecture, history, and local flavors.
Guests are welcomed inside the historic 1820 farmhouse, carefully restored and transformed into a hospitality space with rustic charm.
The experiences include:
- Guided tours of the underground cellar, carved directly into the rock, with explanations of the production process;
- Wine tastings paired with traditional local products, held inside rooms created within the limestone rock itself;
- Food and wine experiences, featuring local dishes designed to enhance the wines;
- Cultural events and convivial gatherings, making every visit unique.
The true added value lies in the atmosphere itself: tasting a glass of Primitivo exactly where it is born, surrounded by vineyards and dry-stone walls, allows visitors to fully understand the deep connection between wine and territory.
The winery’s strategic location also makes it an ideal stop during a trip through Puglia, easily included in itineraries that combine the sea, historic villages, and countryside landscapes.
Between family history, striking architecture, and engaging tastings, Polvanera offers one of the most complete wine tourism experiences in the region — a place where every glass becomes a journey, and every visit turns into a lasting memory.
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