We recently spent a morning with Vera Malisani, Winery Ambassador of San Marzano, exploring the estate that has become one of the defining names of modern Puglia.
Established in 1962 by 19 local winegrowers in the heart of Primitivo di Manduria, San Marzano has grown from a small cooperative into an international benchmark, while remaining deeply rooted in the vineyards and communities that shaped its identity. The estate has played a pivotal role in redefining how the world views Puglian wines, demonstrating that authenticity, regional character and meticulous viticulture can stand comfortably alongside Italy’s most celebrated appellations.
The tasting traced this evolution across the portfolio, from the freshness and Mediterranean aromatics of Timo Vermentino 2025 and the textured elegance of Edda Bianco 2024, to the generous fruit of Il Pumo Primitivo 2025 and Talò Negroamaro 2024.
The session culminated with two wines that have become hallmarks of the winery. Collezione Cinquanta illustrated San Marzano’s signature generosity and harmony, while Sessantanni Primitivo di Manduria 2020, produced from old bush vines, displayed the depth, concentration and refined tannin structure that established the estate’s reputation far beyond Southern Italy.
An engaging discussion that reaffirmed how a clear sense of origin, sustained over decades, can redefine an entire wine region.
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