Our history has deep roots
The Cantine Le Grotte winery was created in 2014 in order to recoup the centuries-old winemaking tradition characterizing the territory of Fondo Grotte, the farming estate owned by the Gruppo Franco Dell’Erba,
a stone extraction firm in Apricena, Foggia.
The vineyards, located in the Apricena countryside at the feet of the Gargano, have their roots in calcareous soil rich in minerals, the same in which the finest Apricena Stone is quarried.
The landscape surrounding Cantine Le Grotte features the Lesina lagoon that sep arates the Gargano from the Tremiti Islands and provides the intense aromas that are the predominant characteristic of the wines made here.
The vineyards cover an area of about 40 hectares (100 acres) and the grapes grown are Merlot, Syrah, Montepulciano, and the indigenous DOP Nero di Troia for the red wines, and Bombino, Trebbiano, Moscato and Falanghina for the whites.
The commitment to restore the centuries-old Fondo Grotte winemaking tradition will be concretized in 2015/2016 by planting new grape varieties like Primitivo and Chardonnay, which will enlarge the vineyards to 52 hectares; international and indigenous grapes will be grown.
The cellars are newly built and equipped with the latest equipment and technology. Only the winery’s own grapes are used to make its wines. Underway is completion of a barrel room that will allow the winery to mature its wines in oak barrels, and an inviting tasting room in which to welcome customers and visitors in the finest way, as could only occur at Cantine Le Grotte.
The winery staff consists of owner Pasquale Dell’Erba, enologist/technician Dott. Massimo Bartolini and administrative and business manàger Biagio Cruciani.
Generous Terroire that requires passion
Feeling and strength of will that drive men to try for every possible goal.
This is us, the Erba family.
It was hard and difficult work. To revitalise the soil rich in stony material, dug up, oxygenated and mixed with the same stones that were taken out. It was more than a year before planting the first vines. In the heart of this immense work the Erba family established the cellar, gazing to the breezes of the east and the westerly winds.
Our vineyards outline the area acting as a hinge between the sea, the foothills of the Gargano National Park and the hinterland of the plateau of Foggia.
Among these ancient sites, rich in history, the gaze is lost towards Lake Lesina, the sea and the shimmering islands that seem to touch the coast.
Apricena, famous for its marble quarries, became a focal point for wine thanks to generous quality and fertility of the land, suitable for great quality agriculture such as vines. The products are an excellent starting point for harmonious and elegant wines.