Marco Maci, Puglia

"The Marco Maci wines were conspicuous by their excellence" (Michael Franz, Washington Post)

Marco Maci is the current owner of a portfolio of family-owned vineyards started by his great grandfather. The La Mea winery is located in the Salento area of Puglia in Cellino San Marco town between Brindisi and Lecce. Many of the wines are designated IGT Salento as they are from just outside the DOCs of Salice Salentino, Copertino and Squinzano. However, therein lies their excellent value.

The star grape down here is Negroamaro ("black bitter") which is capable of making some stunning, quintessentially Italian wine either on its own or blended with the ubiquitous Malvasia Nera. The other variety of note is Primitivo, related to California's Zinfandel (some say it is exactly the same variety although the relationship could be similar to Syrah and Shiraz, for example).

The range of wines is quite impressive from inexpensive, good value varietals to oaked varietals and blends uncommonly good for a region known for low cost wines. We have focused primarily on Negroamaro-based wines but have included one stunning Primitivo ("Fra Diavolo") in our range.