We all know the very warm region of Puglia (also known as Apulia) in Italy, a cornerstone of Southern Italian viticulture. It’s mostly known for its warm, fruity, jammy red wines made with Primitivo. But this sunny area, part of the broader Southern Italian wines landscape, offers more than just full-bodied reds—it’s home to many family wineries with rich heritage. Up at a cool 460 meters in Puglia’s Alta Murgia National Park, you’ll find the awesome Masseria San Cataldo – where Famiglia Pepe blends old-school tradition with fresh new ideas in their family-run Pepe Winery.
Popping open their star rosé, I couldn’t help but get excited about how it captures everything that’s great about this place – from the sunny Puglian vibes to those volcanic hints from Monte Vulture nearby. They focus on the Aglianico grape, one of the most prominent Italian red wine varieties, known for producing the esteemed Aglianico del Vulture. But here’s the really sweet part – the dad gave each of his four daughters their own row of vines, and they planted roses with their names at the end of each row (a super traditional move in Southern Italy traditions!). That’s actually how this wine got its cool name.
A Philosophy Rooted in Family and Nature
“From the vineyard to the bottle, we care that everything respects nature and man,” explains Micaela Pepe, one of the four sisters who now lead this family enterprise. This isn’t just marketing speak – as I sample their wines, it’s clear that their commitment to sustainable practices shows in the glass.
Each sister brings unique expertise to the venture: Caterina, an agronomist specializing in sustainable agriculture; Valentina, a sommelier managing their Famiglia Pepe Wine Shop; Micaela handling administrative duties with her economics background; and Raffaella overseeing logistics. They’ve partnered with renowned enologist V. Ciccimarra to refine their Pepe winemaking techniques, blending traditional methods with modern sustainable farming techniques.
Terroir and Technique
The estate’s vineyards, nestled in the Alta Murgia terroir, benefit from southeast-northwest exposure, maximizing sun exposure while protecting the vines from harsh afternoon heat. The Alta Murgia biodiversity plays a crucial role in the unique character of their wines. They’ve chosen to focus primarily on Aglianico, a noble grape variety that thrives in these limestone-rich soils of the Murgia hills, as well as in the nearby Vulture DOC region.
Their vineyard management employs the spalliera (espalier) training system with cordone speronato (spurred cordon) pruning, allowing optimal cluster disposition and ensuring even ripening. This attention to detail in their approach to Southern Italian viticulture is evident as I examine the wines before me.
Personal Tasting
I really enjoyed tasting these two wines. I find them both to be energetic, elegant and beautifully crafted examples of Apulian wines. They are currently looking for importers, and I sincerely hope they find one soon so I can purchase these wines and share this exceptional wine tasting experience with others!
Rose di San Cataldo IGP Puglia (2023)
Rose di San Cataldo, crafted from Aglianico grapes at 460m elevation in Masseria San Cataldo, is an elegant rosé that beautifully captures our territory’s essence. This I.G.P. Puglia wine, with its striking cherry pink color, is cultivated using southeast-northwest exposed Espalier vines with Spur cordon pruning. In a touching tribute to family tradition, each vineyard row is named after one of the sisters and marked with roses. Having tasted this exceptional wine in 2024, I can confidently say it’s one of the most remarkable Aglianico wines I’ve encountered, and I’m eagerly anticipating my next glass.
- Appearance: Bright cherry pink with brilliant clarity, just WOW!
- Nose: Pronounced intensity of wild berries, fresh cherries, and delicate floral notes, you keep smelling; it’s so beautiful.
- Palate: Dry, medium body with refreshing high acidity; red fruit flavors carry through with a mineral undertone. Really amazing!!
- Quality: Very good, showing excellent varietal character and balance
When it comes to Aglianico food pairings, this rosé would be perfect with light pasta dishes, grilled vegetables, or fresh seafood.
4uattrosorelle IGP Puglia (2022)
The 4uattrosorelle red wine, made from Aglianico grapes at 460m elevation with southeast-northwest exposure, is our flagship red wine that perfectly expresses the Alta Murgia territory. Strong and intense, it captures the region’s summer aromas and autumn mists. Like its rosé sibling, it shows elegance and warmth while maintaining a distinctive personality that reflects our family’s deep connection to this land.
- Appearance: Deep ruby red with purple highlights, it almost glows
- Nose: Complex bouquet of dark fruits, Mediterranean herbs, and subtle spice
- Palate: Full-bodied with firm high tannins and high acidity; intense black fruit core with earthy undertones
- Quality: Outstanding, displaying impressive depth and Aglianico aging potential
For Aglianico food pairings, this robust red would shine alongside grilled meats, aged cheeses, or hearty stews.
The story behind the bottles
The Pepe family wine history is one of growth and innovation. Located in Poggiorsini near the Vulture plain, it benefits from excellent natural and climatic conditions. The Pepe family is committed to high-quality production in this new project. In 2006, they planted an Aglianico vineyard using row espaliers and spur cordon training. This method ensures the optimal arrangement of sprouts and fruits for healthy, uniform, high-quality clusters.
Currently, the four daughters help manage and administer the farm, bringing a youthful and dynamic approach. Caterina Pepe is the Agronomist with an agriculture degree. Valentina Pepe is the Sommelier and manager of the “Wine Shop.” Micaela Pepe handles administrative and organizational tasks with an Economics degree and professional consulting experience. Raffaella Pepe manages order logistics and accounting.
Everything is done by themselves
All production comes from the farm’s vineyard, ensuring a specialized product through good agronomic practices and environmental respect. The Pepe family, including parents, four daughters, their husbands, and children, works with skilled partners like enologist V. Ciccimarra. They aim for a good price/quality ratio to succeed in both Italian and foreign markets.
Recent Developments
The winery continues to gain recognition for its terroir-driven approach. Recent vintages show increasing refinement, particularly in tannin management for its red wine. The winery has also been expanding its Italian wine tourism offerings through its wine shop and tasting experiences, allowing visitors to explore not only Aglianico but also other local varieties like Nero di Troia.
Final Thoughts
As I finish my Pepe wine tasting notes, I’m struck by how these wines beautifully capture both their origin and the family’s story. The Pepe sisters have masterfully combined their heritage with contemporary winemaking, creating exceptional wines that truly represent Alta Murgia’s unique terroir. Both their rosé Rose di San Cataldo and red 4uattrosorelle showcase the versatility of Aglianico grapes – the rosé offering elegance and territorial expression. In contrast, the red wine demonstrates intensity and family connection.
Under the dynamic leadership of the four Pepe sisters, this winery stands as a testament to sustainable, family-driven winemaking in a lesser-known but remarkable corner of Puglia. Their wines not only represent the best of Puglia but also stand proudly among the finest Southern Italian wines, rivaling even those from more famous appellations like Castel del Monte DOC.
Thanks again for sending me these great bottles! I really enjoyed tasting the history of the Pepe Family.
Please find out more about the Pepe family and their wines: https://www.famigliapepe.com/
