Our History - Li Camennere Wines

The story of Li Camennere, a story of Artisans, and Winemakers

The desire to offer new life to dormant roots of local tradition and culture. The desire to give new life to land where the Dionysiac fruits have always been conceived.

This is how, in 2010, AZIENDA AGRICOLA COSIMO VESTITA was born, founded by the artisan of the same name, then 36 years old. In fact, Cosimo Vestita was born as a potter, choosing to dedicate his life to the figuline art, which identifies Grottaglie: the “City of Pottery.” Along with that art, which has identified the Vestita family for five generations since the 18th century, came a love for viticulture.

The setting: Grottaglie

In the heart of the province of Taranto, a rupestrian community settled in the 9th century, benefiting from the cavities offered by the limestone rock. From “grotta” (“krypta” in Latin, cave in English) derives the name of a town with a typical Mediterranean climate that nestles in the characteristic ravines, between the Ionian Sea and the Itria Valley. Climate and peculiarities of the area have fostered in parallel, and steadily over time, the development of two productive activities for which it is world-renowned. While on the one hand, the San Giorgio ravine has been the breeding ground of potters, who have carved out the typical workshops in the rock and hypogean environments, to give rise to the famous “District of Pottery”; on the other hand, the countryside, has been home to olive groves and vineyards, whose fruits have always enjoyed great and increased appreciation. Grottaglie falls within the area of the IGP brand “Uva di Puglia,” as far as table grapes are concerned, and IGP Salento as far as wines are concerned.

The Idea from which Li Camennere came to life.

Since childhood, Cosimo Vestita, has been in contact with the world of viticulture. Following tradition, his grandparents, produced, for domestic use, a genuine wine, employing the grapes grown, amid love and sweat, in their own estates. In 2003 he began to give new life to the abandoned land of his paternal grandmother, located on the so-called “Great Wines Road,” specifically in the “Santa Elisabetta” area, between the towns of Grottaglie and San Marzano di San Giuseppe. The first jobs performed in his free time, the one allowed to him by the artisanal production of ceramic artifacts. And it was while he was working the gray clay, to give shape to a bottle, that he came up with the idea of producing his own wine, to be bottled in his own works, in order to offer a uniqueness, capable of combining two arts; that knew how to be the intersection, with a peculiarly artisanal nature, between the world of ceramics and that of wine.

2003

Cosimo Vestita revitalizes family land

Cosimo Vestita began to give new life to his paternal grandmother's abandoned land, located on the so-called "Great Wine Route" specifically in the "S. Elisabetta" area.

2007

The "Li Camennere" brand is born

The "Li Camennere" brand was born, aimed at the commercial promotion of local agri-food products, keeping strong ties to the ceramic environment. In the local dialect, "Camennere" is the term for the "fireplaces" where ceramic artifacts were fired.

2010

The beginning of Li Camennere's adventure.

Cosimo Vestita Farm was born, founded by the then 37-year-old artisan of the same name.

2012

The first harvest

The vineyard takes on a new physiognomy. The old "bush" planting is restored on the basis of the "supported bush" method. The first harvest arrives and the emotion is great.

2013

Nero di Sole comes to light in Salento.

"Nero di Sole" was born, in whose blackness we are lost along with the flavors of Apulia, sons of the scorching sun

2014

Our primitivo triumphs at Vinitaly 2014

Cosimo Vestita winery produces its primitivo, and it's an instant success. At Vinitaly 2014, Salento Primitivo IGP Nero Di Sole received a Grand Mention diploma with a rating close to earning a Gold Medal.

2017/2018

Primitivo rosé is born, and it immediately makes us proud

Production tends to differentiate. The 2017 vintage is the source of a primitivo that is also vinified in rosé for the first time. It meets with unimaginable approval. The IGP Salento Primitvo Rosé "Nero di Sole," at the 46th Douja D'Or National Wine Competition, receives the Douja d'Or 2018 oscar.

2018

Our malvasia is added to the line-up

In 2018 under the brand name "Li Camennere," a fruity white with spicy notes is produced due to aging in wooden barrels, where it rests for 6 months. This is the IGP Salento Malvasia.

2019

Our label is awarded

The same bottling is also awarded at the 2019 International Wine and Spirit Competition for label design.

2019

Li Camennere joined efforts with Angelo Soleti

Our collaboration, which is still ongoing, was born with Citranese winemaker Angelo Soleti, a son and profound connoisseur of Valle D'Itria.

2019

The Birth of Li Camennere Sparkling Wines

Delicate bubbles are added to the Minutolo, and a new production line is born, the sparkling wines "3647"

2020

Brut and extra-dry are added to the line-up

Brut and Extra-dry versions are also added to our spumant series.

2021

Li Camennere's production is being enhanced

A new Primitivo vineyard is planted adjacent to the first, with the aim of doubling production, which started with 1,500 bottles and now boasts 7,000 to 9,000 per type.