Date:
September 11, 2025
Winery:
Tenute Girolamo
Martina Franca Puglia, Italy
Event:
Join me for a day at Tenute Girolamo as I spend time with winemaker Teo D’Apolito, exploring one of the largest vineyard estates in Valle d’Itria, Puglia, Italy. After reconnecting with Teo in the fall of *2025*, I had the opportunity to revisit several wineries we had spent considerable time at back in 2023. On this particular day, I tagged along as Teo carried out a series of scheduled winemaking tasks at Tenute Girolamo, offering a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the daily work of a professional winemaker.
Our day began in the fermentation room, where we tasted both white and red wines at various stages of fermentation. As Teo discussed the wines with the resident enologist, I explored the winery, capturing photos and video of the bottling line and the impressive cellar, located 60 meters (197 feet) underground, where wines quietly mature in oak barrels. Later, we headed into the vineyards just outside Martina Franca, where Teo collected samples of Syrah, Merlot, and Primitivo directly from the vines for laboratory analysis. With the largest vineyard area in the Valle d’Itria, Tenute Girolamo offers an exceptional glimpse into the scale, precision, and dedication behind modern winemaking in Puglia.
One of the things I enjoy most about spending time with Teo is that every visit is a learning experience. Whether we’re tasting wines in fermentation, walking the vineyards, or discussing vineyard management, I always come away with a deeper appreciation for the craft of winemaking.
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