Macchiarola

Inheritance and first vineyards (2005–2007)

Nico Mangione did not inherit vineyards from his own family. They came from his father-in-law, who owned a 10 ha estate with an early-20th-century house, old olive and fig trees, and fields of wheat and other crops. In 2005 the family decided together to establish vineyards there, and Nico planted 6 ha of Primitivo. In 2007 his father-in-law entrusted him with full management of the business.

Learning winemaking (2007–2010)

Over the next three years Mangione learned winemaking step by step, making wine and looking for answers to each new question.

Expansion (2010 onwards)

In 2010 he rented a Negroamaro vineyard in Lizzano, whose grapes went into a wine called "Don Franco," named in honor of his father-in-law. In the following years he asked small-scale growers to farm their grapes to organic standards and began to focus on the white varieties Verdeca and Fiano, which brought white wines from Puglia into his range.

Recent years

Since 2016 all the wines have been certified organic, and Tenuta Macchiarola is a partner of the natural wine producers' association Vinnatur. Nico has sold his pharmacy and returned to the land full time. He plans to plant new vineyards next year, which he will oversee personally.

The estate covers 10 ha and includes an early-20th-century house, old olive and fig trees, and fields once planted with wheat and other crops. A further Negroamaro vineyard is rented in Lizzano.

All wines have been certified organic since 2016. Small-scale growers who supply grapes, including Verdeca and Fiano, are asked to farm according to organic standards.

Nico Mangione learned winemaking gradually between 2007 and 2010. The range includes reds from Primitivo and Negroamaro ("Don Franco") and white wines from Verdeca and Fiano, the latter from grapes of small organic growers.

Nico describes himself as a link between nature and its biological transformations, such as wine, likened to a lens that filters light and chooses the right moment. He says he feels responsible for how he approaches each vintage and strives to be honest with nature.