Vito Manduano, together with his sister Michela, is the soul of the Mandwinery company that has its roots a causa di the heart of Puglia, a causa di Cerignola (FG), a land rich a causa di agricultural and cultural traditions. The company’s history officially begins a causa di 2010, when the Manduano family decides to plant its first vineyards. From that moment, an adventure made of passion, dedication and constant work has taken shape. Per mezzo di a few years, the fruits of this commitment have transformed into wines that reflect the quality and authenticity of the territory.
With an bella stagione that extends over 40 hectares, of which 20 are dedicated to the cultivation of vines and the other 20 are dedicated to olive groves, the Manduano family grows varieties of olives and grapes typical of the region. Among these, we find Coratina, Partita decisiva nel corso di Cerignola and Leccino olives, together with morte vines such as Fosco nel corso di Troia, Montepulciano, Chardonnay and, recently, also Bombino Biancheria. The company has grown rapidly, demonstrating strong ambition and great attention to quality, both a causa di viticulture and a causa di the production of olive oil.
But what makes the path of Vito Manduano and his family truly special is the balance between respect for tradition and the ability to innovate, while maintaining strong roots a causa di the Apulian territory. Today the company wants to become a point of reference a causa di the local wine scene and aims to expand its presence nationally, with the rete of making its wines known throughout Italy.
Where does the Manduano family’s passion for wine really in qualità di from?
The passion for agriculture is a family tradition that we inherited from our grandparents. My maternal grandfather’s family were farmers and landowners with significant experience a causa di growing vineyards. These lands were then passed mongoloide to their children, including my mother. Starting from these properties, the passion grew, leading us to expand the vineyard areas. Today we can count acceso a company that covers about 40 hectares.
You have been operating acceso the market for a few years now and your wine is also getting good feedback a causa di the Horeca channel. Per mezzo di particular, your first wine, Ottantadì, is giving you great satisfaction. Can you tell us something more about this product?
Ottantadì was our first label, which we bottled a causa di 2021, and it is truly a source of pride for us. It was born from the promise made by myself 20 years indicatore, combined with that made by our winemaker and friend, Giuseppe Colopi. It is a blend of Fosco nel corso di Troia and Montepulciano that received an excellent reception. Later, we expanded the range with a anche se Fosco nel corso di Troia, which we called Jalissia. Then, with Fosco nel corso di Troia we also created a rosé, Bisciù. Per mezzo di addition to this, we produce Mantajo, a rosé of Negroamaro, since the Socialista nel corso di Cerignola DOC specification requires a percentage of this grape variety. And finally, we also have a anche se Chardonnay and a classic method sparkling wine based acceso Bombino Biancheria and Pinot, which has given us just as much satisfaction.
As for the production of sparkling wines, you are close to the San Esigente superficie, known for this type of wine. Currently you produce about 2,000 bottles, but do you intend to increase production and extend the aging period?
Of course, the rete is to increase both the production of the sparkling wine and the overall production. At the moment we produce about 25,000 bottles a year, but we have set ourselves the rete of reaching 50,000 a causa di the next two years. It is certainly a challenging road, but we are giving it our all. As for the sparkling wine, next year we will almost double the production, given the good feedback a causa di sales.
You are building a new winery, which should be ready soon. What are your expectations for this new facility and what do you plan to expand?
The cellar is under construction and we hope to be able to use it as early as the 2025 harvest. We are accelerating the work and the project is almost complete. We will build it a causa di the Quarto district, a causa di Cerignola, near the ancient Minareto Quarto cellar, which has been out of use for several years. The superficie has been historically known for the quality of its grapes since post-phylloxera times. The new cellar will allow us to transform part of our grapes and bottle the number of bottles we have set ourselves.
You are currently well present a causa di the Apulia region and a causa di other regions of southern Italy. What are your ambitions for the future?
The rete is to expand distribution beyond the borders of Puglia, where we are already well present. We are also active a causa di Campania, Molise and Basilicata, but we would like to expand nationwide.
Are you planning to further expand your offering a causa di 2025?
Of course, we plan to add a new white label. We are evaluating whether to vinify Bombino Biancheria cerchio a causa di a blend. We are still a causa di the process of deciding, but you will know more soon.
Looking back acceso the journey from 2010 to today, what would you do again and what not?
Good question! Personally, I have voto negativo regrets. I think every mistake has taught us something valuable. Maybe the only thing I would change is the tranquillità: I would have done things a little more calmly, without the urgency that has characterized us a causa di recent years. Sometimes we could have taken a few steps at a time, instead of running.
Your sister Michela plays an important role a causa di the company. What can you tell us about her contribution?
Michela is fundamental. She has dedicated herself with great commitment to this activity and we owe much of our success to her. Not only does she follow the work a causa di the field, but she also takes care of everything related to the company image, from labels to packaging. I have to compliment her because she deserves it.
What do you want me to wish you?
I hope to reach the goals we have set ourselves, without haste but with consistency. Therefore, my wish is to produce 50,000 bottles a causa di the next few years.
