Terre dei Vaaz
Many producers in Puglia view Primitivo as a grape that sells easily. Terre dei Vaaz, on the other hand, regards it as an unfinished project.
Headquartered in Sammichele di Bari, which is part of Bari Province, the company was co-founded by five individuals with completely different professional backgrounds, who share a common belief that Primitivo, a native grape variety of Puglia's Murge Plateau, should hold a higher standing than usual in the international wine market. Production volumes are low, and the company operates almost exclusively around this single variety.
The name honors Miguel Vaaz, the founder of Sammichele di Bari, and the partners take his entrepreneurial spirit as their guiding principle. This winery produces rich, ripe, full-bodied Primitivo wines from the Gioia del Colle DOP region, as well as wines bottled under the broader Puglia IGP brand.
The history
Terre dei Vaaz was founded in February 2016, so by almost any Italian standard, it is a relatively new company. The composition of its founding members is also unique. It brings together an R&D expert, a journalist, a wine expert, a farmer and a cellar owner. The company's contact information lists only two names: Domenico Spinelli and Luisa Leonzi.
This composition aptly captures the atmosphere here. Instead of a mission statement, Terre dei Vaaz issued a manifesto, which reads as follows: to correct distortions in wine history, unleash Puglia's productive potential, preserve the vineyards as the region's greatest asset, and stand up to the individualism of producers.
The stated goal is to revive Primitivo and restore it to its rightful place. They call this goal the primitivo future, which serves not only as a slogan but also as an apt description of what the company actually does, seriously cultivating a single old Southern variety.
Seven hectares on the Murge
It is a small operation. Terre dei Vaaz cultivates 7 hectares of vineyards and produces approximately 35,000 bottles annually, which clearly places this farm in the category of artisanal wineries rather than cooperatives.
The vineyard is located on the Murge Plateau, a limestone plateau which separates the coast from the Puglian inland region. Sammichele di Bari, where the company is registered, is located within the Gioia del Colle Primitivo region.
The partners describe their vineyard work as respect for the seasons and add that they rigorously sort the fruit during harvest. While this sorting process is feasible on a 7-hectare vineyard, it would be impossible on a 100-hectare one.
Primitivo first, Aleatico alongside
Primitivo is responsible for this entire project. Genetically, it is the same grape variety as Zinfandel, and is believed to have been introduced from Croatia to Italy. It is known as Crljenak in Croatia, and in Puglia, it produces a very deep, juicy wine with a high alcohol content.
- Primitivo: A variety handled almost exclusively by Terre dei Vaaz
- Aleatico: Also included in the company's list of cultivated varietie
The partners have clearly stated that they sought to find the flavors, aromas, and colors of local traditions in the fruit of these grape varieties, rather than pursuing an international style. Therefore, varieties such as Cabernet or Merlot, which are typically used to round out blends, are not included.
Selection, then oak
Terre dei Vaaz focuses on two things: how meticulously the grapes are selected and the processes they undergo at the winery afterward. In the company's own words, meticulous processing and careful aging are the secrets that transform Primitivo from merely an intense wine into a memorable one.
Oak barrels also play a significant role. Ipnotico, a Gioia del Colle Primitivo, is a dry, full-bodied red wine aged in oak barrels; it has an alcohol content of 15% and is sealed with a natural cork. This alcohol content is typical for well-ripened Primitivo grapes produced in this region of Puglia and is not intended to reflect a specific style.
Since the winery does not operate a visitor program, the winemaking process is not open to the public.
Ipnotico, Onirico and a brut rosé
There is one theme that runs throughout the label: sleep. Ipnotico, Onirico, REM. Whether this began as a joke among the five founders or was a deliberate branding strategy, this theme gives this product line a unique identity that most Primitivo producers pay less attention to.
Ipnotico is a Primitivo wine produced in the Gioia del Colle DOP region and has garnered the most attention from outside the region. REM Brut Rose is leading this winery into the sparkling wine sector; it is a brut rosé with a character entirely distinct from the 15% ABV red wines.
Since Terre dei Vaaz bottles under two designations, Primitivo di Gioia del Colle DOP and the broader Puglia IGP, the product line encompasses both categories.
Most of the production stays in Italy, while up to about 15% is exported, primarily within the European Union.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Terre dei Vaaz based?
In Sammichele di Bari, in the province of Bari, Puglia. The vineyards are on the Murge plateau, the limestone tableland inland from the Adriatic coast.
Where does the name come from?
From Miguel Vaaz, the founder of Sammichele di Bari. The partners took his entrepreneurial values as the reference point for the company.
Which appellations does the estate use?
Primitivo di Gioia del Colle DOP, a denomination in place since 1987, and Puglia IGP, in place since 1995.
Can you visit the winery?
No, Terre dei Vaaz does not offer hospitality at the cellar. Staff work in English, French and German for trade contacts.
