Natalino Del Prete Salice Salentino Rosso Il Pioniere
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Natalino Del Prete is as old school as they come. His wines, made in the simplest way possible, are full of rustic character and serve as a perfect example of unpretentious peasant wine meant for everyday consumption. Vines have been in the Del Prete family for generations, but Natalino was the first to focus exclusively on viticulture. Working with 10 hectares of vines, the indigenous Primitivo and Negroamaro consist of the majority of his production, but a small amount of Malvasia Nera and Aleatico are grown as well. The viticulture is more about restraint than anything else: no fertilizers, minimal plowing, no irrigation and no chemicals (Natalino has been certified organic since 1994). This philosophy extends to the cellar, where the wines ferment and age in large concrete tanks. Very few if any rackings occur, and no sulfur is ever added to the juices. Five wines are produced: a Primitivo called Nataly (named after Natalino himself), a Negroamaro called Anne (named after his wife), Torre Nova (a single vineyard co-ferment of Primitivo and Malvasia Nera), Il Pionere (Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera) and Sorso Antonico, an IGT Salento produced with Aleatico.