Slow Wine to Slow Food Another Italian Lifestyle story We are heading out of Andria to try some of the best Organic wine in the region as part of our wine tour in Puglia.The wineries of Puglia are now being recognised for the quality of the wines they produce. Puglia now produces 22% of the total production of wine made in Italy.
In the surroundings of Andria, near Bari in Apulia, at an altitude of 250 metres above sea level, lies the farm of GIANCARLO CECI, run for the last eight generations with the greatest respect for nature and traditions… The vineyards are situated just above the famous Italy boot on the Adriatic Sea, an area that is perfectly suited for the production of fine wines. For eight generations and 200 years, the Ceci family has cultivated the land with the greatest respect for nature and traditions.
The Mediterranean climate, the location amidst a landscape of low hills, the presence of oak woods, the non-intensive cultures contribute to preserve the biodiversity and the precious balance of this ecosystem. The farm experienced a significant upturn in 1988 when Giancarlo Ceci upon his return from agricultural school, converted the acreage to organic. He developed the AGRINATURA brand, focusing his efforts on innovation, quality and operation of a full-scale fresh produce growing, packing and shipping facility, along with organic olive oil, which is grown, pressed and packed on site.
Giancarlo Ceci with AGRINATURA was a pioneer in growing and marketing organic products and was one of the first certified organic producers in Italy. In 2000, new grape vines were planted over an area of 70 hectares and the first organic wine production took place in 2004. The vineyard received USDA organic certification in 2006.
The winery is equipped with vast cellars for the aging of the wine underneath the 400+ year-old family mansion. With an eye toward innovation,
Ceci is working on a proprietary method of producing top quality wines without any sulfites added which will allow future sales of 100% organic wines . All Ceci’s wines are organic, moreover the Bombino Bianco Panascio, the Parchitello Bombino Nero Rosato and Almagia Rosso are organic and biovegan, that means that no animal finings are used.
About Slow Food
Slow Food is a global, grassroots organization, founded in 1989 to prevent the disappearance of local food cultures and traditions, counteract the rise of fast life and combat people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from and how our food choices affect the world around us.
Since its beginnings, Slow Food has grown into a global movement involving millions of people in over 160 countries, working to ensure everyone has access to good, clean and fair food.
Slow Food believes food is tied to many other aspects of life, including culture, politics, agriculture and the environment.