L'azienda - Podere Don Cataldo

OUR ROOTS

Podere Don Cataldo’s history is inextricably linked with Rocca family’s history, just as vines hang on to their shoulders, sinking its deep roots in Apulia, in the heart of Salento area, just few kilometers from the Ionic coast.

In 1998 Ernesto Rocca, 3rd generation of the family, driven by the love for this land and for the art of viticulture, bought a land property in Leverano village, Lecce province. This 100 hectares estate consists of two specular lands: Vignali Grandi and Podere Don Cataldo. From this one it comes the name of the whole premium wine collection. The passion for winemaking art passed down through the fifth generation: today Ernesto’s sons and nephews with commitment and dedication drive the company towards new achievements.

SALENTO

TERROIR

Under the warm sun and the sea breezes from the Ionic coast, healthy and strong vines grow vigorously. Here the soil is mainly medium textured, clayey-calcareous and in some parts even tufaceous. The suitable mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot windy dry summers, allow Podere Don Cataldo’s grapes to ripen constantly properly.

VINES

Greatest expression of this fertile and generous land are the main autochthonous red varieties of Apulia region here grown: Negroamaro, Primitivo, Nero di Troia and Susumaniello. The international and well known Merlot and Syrah are the setting for white grape varieties such as Chardonnay and Vermentino. Mitigating sea influence, deep passion in managing the fields together with meticulous grapes selection, lead to constant production with excellent quality level.

THE MASSERIA

The suggestive Masseria rises in the middle of vineyards and secular olive trees, enhancing Rocca family property. Renovated in compliance with the typical architectural features of Salento’s rural tradition, it shows sumptuous star and barrel vaults with skilful use of “pietra leccese”, the authentic local white stone from Lecce. An enchanting place which becomes perfect synthesis of the most valuable southern Italy values: conviviality, tradition and hospitality.

OUR CELLAR

OUR CELLAR - Vinification

In full respect of the local architectural tradition, our cellar is equipped with the most advanced winemaking technologies including:

A heat exchanger for precise temperature management of incoming grapes.
Two soft presses with central membrane.
Vertical cylindrical fermenters with mechanized discharge.
Stainless steel tanks with temperature control.

OUR CELLAR - Aging

For the refinement of our finest wines we use French oak barrels (75 hl), traditional barriques (225lt) and ton

In the underground cellar there are also iconic concrete tanks ( 300 / 600 hl ), a material of renewed and contemporary interest.