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Leone de Castris winery is managed by the latest generation of a very ancient dynasty that has been operating in the world of wine for over three centuries. In 1665, their ancestor Duke Oronzo Arcangelo Maria Francesco, count of Lemos and nephew of Ferrante and Francisco (both Spanish viceroys in Italy), created a winery in Salice Salentino, in the province of Lecce.
The results were so satisfying to sell all his possessions in Spain and invest the proceeds entirely in Salento: thus the Duke created small “empire” of 12.355 acres. The 2.392-square yard wine he also built in the XVII century, is still there today, looking like a huge white and pink square building extending over 43.839 square yards meters and including several service structures. Dominated by a square tower, it is still acknowledged as “the company of don Pierino” in honour of Piernicola, an ancestor of this winemaking family.

The agricultural sector, of about 12.355 acres in the 1600s, still covered over more than 4.942 acres until the early 1950s. Now, although its size is still quite impressive, Leone de Castris land does not exceed 1.235 acres, half of which cultivated with vineyards and the rest with olive groves, arable land and pasture, in the provinces of Lecce, Brindisi, Bari and Taranto.

Therefore, there are several estates that are active parts of this company and the main ones are: Cagnazzi, Case Alte, Cinque Rose, Don Francesco, Donna Lisa, Donna Nicoletta, Larena, Uliveto Larena, Lemos, Malana, Messere Andrea, Pizzinichi, Priesti, Rena, Santera, Tresca, and Ursi.

Ursi, Maiana, Donna Nicoletta and Messere Andrea have been properties of this family for centuries, while others are more recent acquisitions, such as Casa Purcara, Troili, Caretto, and some others.

Hereditary divisions and land reform, after the end of the Second World War, reduced the extension of the whole property, but merger initiatives are still underway.
The company now also buys grapes coming from painstakingly selected farmers assisted by its own technicians and experts. The production techniques are, therefore, the very same applied to every single vineyard.

The particular colours and shapes of the vines and the olive trees express the vital combination of human actions and true respect for the surrounding landscape: a centuries-old commitment of Leone de Castris winery.

The image of the territory, the genuine expression of emotions and naturalness alone are enough to communicate and quickly promote the very essence of a most natural product such as wine.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)