An ideal Valley for growing grapes
The UPAL Cooperative uses grapes exclusively from the Itria Valley area, notoriously located in Puglia in the magnificent setting of the Mediterranean, between the Adriatic and the Ionian Sea, where the Murge gradually slope down towards the Salento plain.
Here, between Cisternino, Locorotondo and Martina Franca, a geographic environment unique in the world is created, with the presence of a karst depression that until two centuries ago was full of extensive and dense forests. Today it has been recovered by the work of the farmers, with a partial deforestation they brought out large areas of ground which are been used to plant vineyards.
An ideal Valley for growing grapes
The UPAL Cooperative uses grapes exclusively from the Itria Valley area, notoriously located in Puglia in the magnificent setting of the Mediterranean, between the Adriatic and the Ionian Sea, where the Murge gradually slope down towards the Salento plain.
Here, between Cisternino, Locorotondo and Martina Franca, a geographic environment unique in the world is created, with the presence of a karst depression that until two centuries ago was full of extensive and dense forests. Today it has been recovered by the work of the farmers, with a partial deforestation they brought out large areas of ground which are been used to plant vineyards.
Grape varieties
Verdeca
There isn’t a lot of information about Verdeca. The only certainty is that its cultivar area has extended over several areas of Puglia, it is the most popular white grape variety of our region. Verdeca is a vine from Greece like most of the vines, its name comes from the greenish color of their bunch, which is distinguished also by the color of its wine.
Minutolo
This is an old and typical variety from the Itria Valley, rediscovered from the 80s-90s, its richness in primary aromas makes it very interesting for enological productions either in purity or in blends, for the production of still and sparkling wines.
Maresco
Typical wine of Itria Valley, it was registered in the National Catalog in 2010. The name matches the root of Maruggio Sea (historical denomination) and the adjective fresh that refers to the technological characteristic of its acidity.
Bianco d’Alessano
This varieties grow in Itria Valley since the second half of the nineteenth century, historical sources also report its cultivation in the Lecce area and in the land of Bari. This grape variety gives its products fresh and dry notes, while also giving pleasant floral and fruity taste. The resulting wine is a product with excellent structure and balance persistence.
Marchione
The first Marchione’s literature mention goes back to the second half of the 1800s.
Quite balanced and intense taste with a good persistence. Thanks to its high acidity and aromatic components, Marchione is also referred for the production of mono-varietal dry wines, sparkling wines, also to increase and diversify the aromatic complexity and to improve the organoleptic properties of the Itria Valley white wines.
Primitivo
Primitivo is an Italian red grape from which is created a modern wine with old origins. The name is probably due to its early biological cycle (both flowering and ripening period), in Puglia the harvest usually takes place in the first ten days of September. Characterized by a purplish color with a full-bodied and pleasant flavor, Primitivo is definitely appreciated thanks to its anthocyans that gives its intense red colour, its robust alcohol content and its natural sweetness contribute to making Primitivo an excellent meditation wine, to taste with character dishes, grilled or almond paste desserts.
Susumaniello
It is a historical name of a Brindisi grape variety, it has several names throughout the Puglia region, for example in Martina Franca it is called Cuccimaniello. The resulting wine has a very intense color, with violet reflections. It has a good aromatic complexity with a prevalence of floral, fruity and spicy notes. With this grape variety it has obtained an excellent rosé wines balanced to the palate.
Ottavianello
This grape type grows in the province of Brindisi since the first half of the twentieth century, mainly in the area of Ostuni, Ceglie and San Vito dei Normanni.
In the second postwar period these grape varieties were cultivated in less than 3000 hectares in the Brindisi area, even if their grapes allowed to use as a wine table variety it was mainly used for vinification. The resulting wine color is not very intense, with good clarity, floral and fruity notes on the nose, it has a good intensity and long lasting taste. The grapes are also suitable for obtaining rosé and rosé sparkling wines.
Millennial olive trees for a great oil
Among UPAL’s productions there is also an excellent and inimitable extra virgin olive oil. This oil is obtained exclusively through the pressing of carefully selected olives harvested from the olive trees grown in the territory of Cisternino. The processing takes place following carefully the traditional techniques, using also innovative systems, guaranteeing a quality and hygiene greater than systems used in the past.
This advanced processing technologies are essential for the organoleptic enhancement of the characteristics, not altering the excellent healthy and nutritional features of the oil.
Our extra virgin olive oil has a unique green and gold color, with a typically strong taste, almond flavor notes and a delicate fruity aroma. These characteristics makes it one of the best national extra virgin olive oils.
Millennial olive trees for a great oil
Among UPAL’s productions there is also an excellent and inimitable extra virgin olive oil. This oil is obtained exclusively through the pressing of carefully selected olives harvested from the olive trees grown in the territory of Cisternino. The processing takes place following carefully the traditional techniques, using also innovative systems, guaranteeing a quality and hygiene greater than systems used in the past.
This advanced processing technologies are essential for the organoleptic enhancement of the characteristics, not altering the excellent healthy and nutritional features of the oil.
Our extra virgin olive oil has a unique green and gold color, with a typically strong taste, almond flavor notes and a delicate fruity aroma. These characteristics makes it one of the best national extra virgin olive oils.