
In the late 18th century, our ancestor
Petrera Nicola decided to build his home within the winery itself and chose
the hill called
Spinomarino , for its lofty, well-aired and sunny position, among the best ones in the entire area
of
Gaudella (south-eastern area of
Gioia del Colle ) to grow
Primitivo grapes.
That is the time when our tradition of
artisan vine-dressers traces back to its origins.
The slopes were deforested and cisterns were dug out to ensure water supply and the resulting stones were employed to build the ancient
farm.
The triangle, carved on the highest stone of the building and taken as symbol of the winery, defines the farm as the highest historical
cartographic point in the country.
Nicola Petrera's passion for Primitivo grapes has been handed down from father to son along with the following words:
"Who loves and respects Nature, loves God and himself".
Our passion, experience and tradition along five generations were joined by the Orfino family and in 1988 inside the little cellar,
dug out within the rocks, the first bottle marked Fatalone vintage 1987 was born.
Our devotion and sacrifices bring in 1993 to the realization of a new building for the wine-making and the improvement of our fruit;
up to the building in 2003 next to the old one of the newest cellar, carved in the rocks, in which ancient tradition joins techniques
and technologies newly conceived.
Our farm, with its
strict family management, practises
organic farming, considered
as life-style: not for business but for respect of the Nature and every living creature, in primis ourselves.
To guarantee our activity we are on the control of the
I.C.E.A., Institute for Ecology and Ethics Certification.
In 1987 at the beginning like wine-bottler, we were
the first to launch the challenge in
making and bottling
wine from sole Primitivo grapes, in pureness.
In 1993 the coming of
the Greco, from the desire to measure ourselves with this noble white grape vine.
On the 19th of May 2007
the First Historic Vertical Tasting - Fatalone Riserva on 10 vintages.
For the first time in the story of the Gioia del Colle D.O.C. Primitivo, the Az. Agr. Petrera, to coincide with its 20th anniversary
since its first bottle in 1987, carried-out a vertical tasting with 10 vintages of its Fatalone Riserva.
The event took place in the prestigious Council Chamber of the City Hall of Gioia del Colle.
It was exclusive as much as unrepeatable experience, due to the little number of existing samples for some vintages.
For the tasting an 8-expert commission has been appointed among oenologists, specialized journalists and wine operators,
who were amazed at the remarkable demonstration of longevity by the 10 vintages of Fatalone Primitivo Riserva.
Our wines are prevalently designed to export:
Germany,
Switzerland,
England,
Japan,
U.S.A.,
Denmark,
Portugal,
Benelux,
Scandinavian Countries,
Est-Europe,
Russia,
China,
India,
Brazil.
In our improvement we have the luck to be supported by earnest and expert professionals, from the skilful workers who help us in
the care of the vineyards, to the agronomists and oenologists who support us during the critical phases of production:
- Dr. Carmine Arena agronomist ed oenologist,
- Dr. Gianni Masi agronomist phytopatoligist,
- Dr. Martino Annese oenologist,
- Dr. Vincenzo Stea agronomist.
Our scrupulousness drove our desire to secure our work by the partnership of a key laboratory: the
Panalisi from Bari
(
Laboratory Authorized by the Ministry of Health and Certified by Sinal), to take on an
HACCP
system and to
weekly oversee and control every aspects of our work.
We make
complete laboratory controls on every parameters showing the heath state of the
vines,
the quality of
grapes, musts, wines, cellar-air and water, the hygienic state of
equipments,
machines and premises .
Nothing has to be left to chance!