Orange 2022 – Masseria La Cattiva

Overview

Orange 2022 by Masseria La Cattiva is a wine that blends improvisation and elegance, just like a tango. Harvested in the Specchione area, from vines trained with the pergola system, this wine embodies the free-spirited and experimental soul of the winery. With 11% alcohol, it combines ancient techniques with contemporary creativity, offering a fresh yet complex personality. Its long skin contact in terracotta amphorae gives depth, minerality, and a distinctive character that speaks of authenticity and natural expression.

The history of the wine

The project of Orange 2022 was born from the idea of creating a wine that captures the energy and passion of a dance. Two separate fermentations evolve independently and only meet before bottling, like two dancers uniting in an unexpected embrace. The result is a bottle that tells the story of Masseria La Cattiva’s desire to experiment beyond convention, while staying rooted in respect for the land and its native grape varieties.

Vineyard philosophy

The grapes for Orange 2022 come from organically farmed vineyards in Specchione. The pergola training system protects the bunches from the sun, ensuring freshness and balance. Manual harvest preserves the integrity of the fruit, reflecting the estate’s philosophy of minimal intervention and maximum natural expression. This careful approach allows the vineyard to deliver fruit that is both healthy and expressive of its terroir.

Winemaking approach

In the cellar, Orange 2022 follows a natural winemaking path. Grapes are gently pressed and undergo spontaneous fermentation in terracotta amphorae, without selected yeasts or added sulfites. The juice remains in contact with the skins for six months, gaining depth, aromatic complexity, and texture. Only before bottling do the two wines come together, creating a unique harmony that combines freshness, minerality, and vibrant energy.

Tasting notes

• Color: deep golden orange, bright and luminous.

• Nose: aromas of citrus peel, aromatic herbs, subtle spices, and mineral accents.

• Palate: dynamic and enveloping, with fine tannins and a long, elegant finish.

Food pairings

Orange 2022 is a versatile partner at the table. It pairs beautifully with fish soups and grilled seafood, but also matches well with aged cheeses and Mediterranean dishes with spices. Its vibrant freshness makes it ideal for those seeking a wine that surprises and adapts to complex cuisine.

Technical sheet

• Name: Orange 2022

• Area: Specchione (Apulia)

• Training system: Pergola

• Vinification: Spontaneous fermentation in terracotta amphorae

• Maceration: 6 months on skins

• Alcohol: 11%

• Serving temperature: 12–14 °C

• Contains sulfites

Masseria La Cattiva

The history of Masseria La Cattiva

The story of Masseria La Cattiva began almost by chance, as is often the case with the most authentic journeys. In 2018, a group of friends decided to revive an abandoned farmhouse in Turi, Bari. Marianna, the owner of the estate, had inherited vineyards from her family that had never been used for winemaking. The desire to experiment, combined with a passion for viticulture, led them to vinify their first small harvest. Encouraged by the results, they decided to rent the vineyards and transform the masseria into a project with strong ambition. By 2019, the estate had become a living reality, animated by a deep respect for the land and the will to produce wines faithful to their territory.

Vineyard philosophy

In the vineyards of Masseria La Cattiva, located in Sammichele di Bari, the agricultural philosophy is clear: to work in harmony with nature, without compromises. Over 7 hectares of vines, planted in 2001, have been cultivated organically from the very beginning. Every stage, from pruning to harvesting, is carried out manually, with an artisanal approach that values soil vitality and plant health. The only treatments used are copper and sulfur, a clear choice of minimal intervention and deep trust in the natural balance of the vineyard. Grapes include Primitivo, Negroamaro, Aleatico, Montepulciano, Aglianico, Trebbiano, Malvasia Bianca and Malvasia Nera.

Winemaking approach

The same philosophy of respect that guides vineyard work is fully reflected in the cellar. Grapes undergo spontaneous fermentations, without the use of selected yeasts or chemical additives. The goal is to enhance the territorial identity, allowing the wine to express itself freely and without constraints. No sulfites or enological corrections are added, highlighting the desire to create pure wines that mirror the grapes and the calcareous, stony soils of Gioia del Colle. Each wine becomes a liquid narrative of the landscape, delivering authenticity, minerality, and freshness.

Territory and identity

The beating heart of Masseria La Cattiva is the land of Primitivo di Gioia del Colle, an area with an ideal microclimate and privileged location at about 280 meters above sea level. The calcareous and stony soils give the wines their acidity, freshness, and distinctive minerality. The choice to minimize interventions in both vineyard and cellar is not just a production method, but an act of faith in the potential of this unique territory. In every bottle lies the will to preserve spontaneity, enhance biodiversity, and offer a wine that truthfully tells its origin. Masseria La Cattiva is not just about producing wine, but about safeguarding and delivering the soul of the most authentic Apulia.