At the sun-kissed tip of Italy’s boot, in Salento, Puglia, the Zecca family has cultivated both land and legacy for over five centuries. Since Francesco Antonio Zecca settled in Leverano in 1580, the family has lived in rhythm with the seasons, honoring the spirit of the land and the abundance it offers. With this deep history comes an equally deep responsibility:

to be stewards of beauty, authenticity, and sustainability—ensuring that every generation inherits a healthier,

more vibrant landscape than the one before.

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Today, the Conti Zecca estate spans 320 hectares across three distinct vineyard sites, each with its own soils and microclimate. The vineyards lie between the Ionian and Adriatic Seas, where constant breezes naturally protect the vines and help maintain healthy, resilient grapes with minimal intervention. At the heart of the portfolio are Puglia’s native varieties—Negroamaro, Primitivo, and Malvasia—grapes that channel Salento’s sunlit character with unmistakable purity. International varieties are used with restraint and intention, always to complement rather than overshadow the region’s identity.

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While tradition anchors the estate, its evolution is guided by a new generation. Clemente Zecca, who joined the family winery in 2018, brings academic training in economics from John Cabot University and a master’s in Wine Culture from Pollenzo. With an analytical eye and a deep respect for his family’s legacy, Clemente has ushered in a thoughtful transformation. He mapped and identified three single-vineyard “cru” zones across the estates—an important step in revealing the nuance and individuality of Salento’s terroir—and championed a decisive move toward organic viticulture, grounded in his belief that living,

biodiverse soils are the foundation of truly expressive wines.

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Under his leadership, Conti Zecca blends centuries of heritage with a modern commitment to environmental responsibility and precision. Their range reflects this harmony: the romantic Luna, inspired by warm summer evenings; Liranu, a bold and expressive tribute to Salento’s depth; and Nero, the estate’s flagship “Super Puglian” wine. Created in 1998 to demonstrate that Puglia could rival Tuscany or Bordeaux, Nero—a blend of Negroamaro and Cabernet Sauvignon—

remains a defining expression of the estate’s ambition, elegance, and power.

 

More than a collection of bottles, Conti Zecca offers an experience: a true connection to the land, the sea, and the people who have tended this corner of Salento with patience, respect, and passion for over 500 years—

an identity now carried confidently into its next chapter.