🍷 Cantina Mocavero: The Legacy of Salento’s “Warriors” in Primitivo and Negroamaro

In the sun-drenched land of Salento, the **Mocavero** family history dates back to the early 1900s. Although the official establishment of the company is attributed to 1950, when Uncle Tommaso left the business to Pietro Mocavero, the legacy has been passionately embraced by brothers **Francesco and Marco**, the fourth generation of vintners. Today, Cantina Mocavero not only continues the tradition but has established itself internationally as a producer of great native wines, moving away from its past as a bulk wine producer to embrace the excellence and typicity of Salento.

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📜 From Monteroni Walls to Global Success

In the 1950s, the first winery was built in the historic center of Monteroni di Lecce, and the wine was popular in the local market, mainly sold in bulk. The real breakthrough came in the 1990s when Francesco and Marco, with enthusiasm and initiative (like true “warriors,” the Arabic meaning attributed to their surname), took the reins. Scrupulously overseeing every stage—from grape selection and vinification to bottling—they led the company to focus on prestigious native grapes like **Primitivo** and **Negroamaro**.

A Success Built on Quality

The dedication to quality paid off immediately: the first international success came in 1994, at Vinitaly in Verona, where the **Salice Salentino DOC “Puteus” 1989** garnered notable recognition.

Today, the modern Winery is located in the countryside of Arnesano, nestled among olive groves and vineyards, where the fusion of tradition and innovation continues to produce wines that are a guarantee in markets worldwide. **90% of the production** is exported, with a strong foothold in Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, and the United States, while the remaining 10% in the Italian market is steadily growing.

🍷 Production Lines: Maximum Quality and Salento Typicity

Azienda Mocavero is distinguished by a rich production aiming for maximum quality, offering several lines capable of meeting every market demand, including the production of **”private label” wines** for its clients.

The “CRU” Line: Refined Excellence

The company’s top line, a pure expression of territorial excellence. These wines are aged in **barriques or oak barrels** and then refined in the bottle.

• MONTEPETROSO DOP Primitivo di Manduria: 100% Primitivo di Manduria
• TELA di RAGNO IGP Rosso del Salento: 50% Aglianico, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon
• SANTUFILI IGP Primitivo del Salento: 100% Primitivo

The “Selezione” Line: Important Little Masterpieces

This line includes important wines, featuring a Salice Salentino Riserva and interesting new additions like **reds aged in wooden barrels** to gain complexity and prestige.

• PUTEUS DOP Salice Salentino Riserva: 80% Negroamaro, 20% Malvasia Nera
• CURTI RUSSI ROSSO IGP Salento Rosso: 100% Negroamaro
• CURTI RUSSI VERDECA IGP Puglia Bianco: 100% Verdeca (New for 2020)
• CURTI RUSSI PRIMITIVO ROSATO IGP Salento Rosato: 100% Primitivo

The “Classici” Line: Homage to Tradition

This line pays tribute to the great traditional Salento grape varieties. These are great traditional wines that add value even to the simplest of pairings and are named after the grape from which they are produced.

• PRIMITIVO IGP Primitivo del Salento: 100% Primitivo
• SALICE SALENTINO DOP Salice Salentino: 80% Negroamaro, 20% Malvasia Nera
• NEGROAMARO IGP Salento Rosso: 100% Negroamaro
• FIANO IGP Salento Bianco: 100% Fiano (New for 2020)

The “Essenza” Line: In Honor of Father Pietro

An essential and indispensable line, paying homage to Mr. Pietro Mocavero, who started the family tradition in the 1950s. All wines in this line carry the suffix **“Sire”** (which means “father” in Salento dialect).

• SIRE NEGROAMARO IGP Salento Rosso: 100% Negroamaro
• SIRE PRIMITIVO IGP Primitivo del Salento: 100% Primitivo
• SIRE ROSATO IGP Salento Rosato: 100% Negroamaro
• SIRE CHARDONNAY IGP Salento Bianco: 100% Chardonnay

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🚀 Looking to the Future

With a steady gaze on the past and minds focused on the future, Francesco and Marco Mocavero, faithful to their warrior spirit, continue to dedicate themselves with passion and meticulousness. Cantina Mocavero is ready to face new challenges, always guaranteeing the highest quality and the unique typicity of the great native Salento wines.