This wine shows its warm, Mediterranean climate origins with smoky, spicy black cherry, blackberry, and black currant fruit and a touch of sweet wood. Flavors of delicious black fruits with fine structuring elements, including both just-right acidity and an arrays of fine tannins. Balanced and very food friendly.

This estate is comprised of 85 acres of sustainably-farmed vineyards around the masseria (renovated old stone farmhouse). The winery was started in 1999 and is owned by the Falvo family with Riccardo Cotarella as the winemaker. Li Veli produces quintessentially Puglian wines from mostly native grape varieties such as Negroamaro and Primitivo, as well as with several less familiar local native grape varieties such as Susumaniello, Verdeca, and Minutolo. 

The vineyards use an ancient form of vine training: bush-trained (albarello) vines in a hexagonal configuration (known as the settonce system). Li Veli uses this type of training because they feel it allows high planting density, maximum exposure of foliage to the sun, good air circulation, maximum space for roots, and ease of cultivation. All the grapes of Li Veli's estate vineyards are produced according to sustainable methods. 

Average age of these vines is 18 years and they grow in clay soils with limestone rock. Only 125 acres of Susumaniello are planted in all of Italy. The wine ages in French oak (225-liter barriques as well as 5,000 liter vats) for nine months, followed by 3 months of bottle aging.

Charcuterie, Grilled preparations, Lamb, Pizza, Red Meat, Roasted Root Vegetables, Slow-smoked Barbeque/BBQ Sauce, Tomato Sauce