Susumaniello is a rare, ancient red Puglian grape, grown in the Salento Peninsula. Its name comes from the local dialect and it means “Little Donkey”. Old timers told us that the name comes from the enormous load the vines bear when young, so heavy that they could only be borne by a donkey, but others say that it is so called because it is so difficult to manage, like a donkey. “Finally we have a grape with the same personality as the winemaker” Elvi told me… (I hope she meant hard working and reliable, but she may have actually meant stubborn). I could not resist the challenge of working with this precious and unique variety. This is a wine where the earth, people and the terroir shine.