Feudi di Guagnano: Saving Ancient Negroamaro Vines in Salento

Vineyards of Feudi di Guagnano in Puglia — Photo: Stefano Spagnolo - Salentowinetour

The story of Feudi di Guagnano is a modern tale of passion, heritage, and the refusal to let history fade away. In the early 2000s, as the younger generations in Guagnano were abandoning the harsh life of the fields for more stable jobs, a century of viticultural wisdom was at risk of disappearing.

Reverting the Trend: The 2002 Turning Point

In 2002, Gianvito, Carlo, and Franco—grandsons of tireless local winemakers—decided to change the course of history. Driven by a deep love for their land, they invested in their ancestors' abandoned Negroamaro vineyards, giving birth to the winery we know today.

The name "Feudi" comes from the local dialect word fiéu, meaning "country district." Historically, these were the clusters of vineyards that belonged to the local feudal lord, and today they represent the diverse plots that make up the winery's 30-hectare estate.

Photo Feudi di Guagnano

A professional indoor wine tasting scene at Feudi di Guagnano winery in Puglia. In the foreground, a bottle of "Pietra Finita" Primitivo di Manduria stands next to a half-filled glass of red wine. In the background, a man and a woman participate in a tasting session around a wooden table, with oak barrels (barriques) and a colorful modern painting on the walls. — Wine Experience at Feudi di Guagnano – Primitivo Tasting

Gianvito Rizzo, owner of Feudi di Guagnano winery, posing with three satisfied international clients in the barrel cellar. They are standing in front of rows of oak aging barrels. One client holds a wine gift box. In the foreground, a tasting table is set with professional placemats, glasses, and local taralli. — Meet the heart of the winery: Gianvito Rizzo sharing the passion for Negroamaro with our guests at Feudi di Guagnano. An authentic experience by SalentoWineTour.com.

Three smiling young women posing together in the aging cellar of Feudi di Guagnano winery. They are proudly holding bottles of Salento wine, including "Diecianni" and "Cupone," with professional wine pourers attached. They stand in front of stacked oak barrels and a colorful modern mural. — Smiles, friendship, and great Negroamaro: our guests enjoying the best of Feudi di Guagnano winery. Discover your next favorite wine with SalentoWineTour.com.

A close-up photograph of lush, ripe Negroamaro grape clusters hanging from a vine in a sunny vineyard in Guagnano, Puglia. The dark purple grapes are perfectly ripe, surrounded by vibrant green leaves under a clear blue sky. Concrete vineyard posts and wire trellises are visible in the background. — Pure Salento heritage: ripe Negroamaro grapes in the Guagnano countryside, ready to become the award-winning labels of Feudi di Guagnano. Authentic wine tours with SalentoWineTour.com.

A close-up focus on a bottle of "Nero di Velluto" (Black Velvet) Negroamaro by Feudi di Guagnano. The elegant white label is prominent in the foreground, with a glass of red wine and a blonde woman looking towards the barrels in the blurred background. The setting is the aging cellar with oak barriques. — A legend in a bottle: Nero di Velluto, crafted from 80-year-old Negroamaro vines. A limited edition of 5,000 numbered bottles by Feudi di Guagnano.

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The Heritage of the "Alberello Pugliese"

The soul of Feudi di Guagnano lies in its Alberello Pugliese (head-trained) vines, some of which are between 20 and 80 years old. This ancient training system produces small, precious clusters that result in high-quality, structured wines.

The winery's logo—a unique Madonna and Child—is inspired by a sacred fresco in the mother church of Guagnano, further cementing the bond between the cellar and the local community.

The Production: Power and Elegance

Today, Feudi di Guagnano produces approximately 200,000 bottles across 15 labels, focusing on traditional varieties:

Red Grapes: Negroamaro, Primitivo, Malvasia Nera.
White Grapes: Verdeca.

The Icon: Nero di Velluto

The crown jewel of their production is Nero di Velluto, a 100% Negroamaro. This limited-edition wine (only 10,000 hand-numbered bottles per year) is sourced from a single vineyard planted in 1935. Known for its deep ruby color and warm, velvety notes of black pepper, tobacco, and cocoa, it famously earned the prestigious 5 Bunches from Bibenda.

Feudi di Guagnano at a Glance

Feature	Details
Location	Guagnano, Salento (Puglia)
Founded	2002 (recovering abandoned vineyards from the early 1900s)
Vineyard Area	30 hectares
Annual Production	200,000 bottles across 15 labels
Signature Wine	Nero di Velluto (100% Negroamaro, from 1935 vineyard)
Training System	Alberello Pugliese (head-trained bush vines, 20-80 years old)

Insider Tip: Nero di Velluto is produced in strictly limited quantities (only 10,000 hand-numbered bottles per year). If you want to taste this iconic wine, we recommend booking your tour in advance. Ask for a barrel tasting experience to fully appreciate the aging potential of these ancient Negroamaro vines.

Experience Guagnano with Us

We invite you to discover the "heart of Negroamaro" through our exclusive tours. Feudi di Guagnano is a central stop in our specialized itineraries:

Guagnano, the Land of Negroamaro: A full immersion featuring visits to three wineries, 11 tastings, a vineyard walk, and a traditional light lunch.

Want to taste history?

Book your spot on our next Negroamaro tour and walk through vineyards that have stood for nearly a century. Experience the legacy of the ancient Alberello Pugliese vines.

BOOK YOUR WINE TOUR HERE

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