In the picturesque landscape of Apulia, nestled between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, lies La Sorte Cuadra. Founded by Roberto Lasorte and Stephanie Cuadra, the winery reflects their commitment to preserving the viticultural heritage of the Apulian countryside.
SILOS 2021
The nose starts with a subtle crackle. A salty shimmer, a touch of flint, and a cool, citrusy freshness, followed by hints of white peach and tonka bean. On the palate, there's a taut introduction. Juicy, sun-ripened lemons and that same saltiness. You can taste the concentration that such old vines produce, feel the starkness, the limestone on which the indigenous grape varieties Verdeca, Bianco d’Allessano, Minutolo, and Maresco have been harmoniously interplanted for decades, preserving the unique character and DNA of an almost forgotten region. Give the wine some time after opening. Its evolution reveals ever more facets and flavor twists. It's magnificent with a variety of dishes, like fresh seafood with fennel and saffron, for instance.
The Valle d’Itria
Perched on a limestone plateau 400 meters above sea level, less than one hectare is home to the ancient, some even own-rooted, white grape varieties, grown together as was the tradition: Verdeca, Bianco d’Alessano, Maresco, and Minutolo. With an annual production of just 7,500 bottles, a wine with a distinctive regional character emerges here.
Italian and Mexican Roots
Roberto Lasorte, born in Rome and CEO of the renowned Querciabella winery in Chianti Classico, is deeply familiar with the intricacies of winemaking. He spent many unforgettable summers and cherished moments on his family's farm in his hometown of Martina Franca. In this extraordinary landscape of the Valle d’Itria, he plans, alongside his wife Stephanie, to preserve a small piece of Apulia's remarkable, cross-generational wine heritage.
Stephanie Cuadra, born and raised in Los Angeles, is a long-time Italian citizen with deep Mexican roots. Stephanie's penchant for niche products and rare grape varieties, combined with Roberto, led to the founding of La Sorte Cuadra in 2020.
Cultural Heritage
The couple's decision to farm and make wine from a mixed vineyard at 400 meters altitude in Roberto's home region near Martina Franca in Apulia during the 2020 lockdown was a clear nod to their roots. From the hand-harvested crop to careful winemaking and minimal intervention in the cellar, the Silos 2021 primarily reflects love and passion for the land.
A Renaissance of Forgotten Grape Varieties
The backdrop of the Valle d’Itria provides a fascinating yet still uncharted rural landscape in southern Italy, where the old native white grape varieties like Verdeca, Bianco d’Alessano, Minutolo, and Maresco are now poised to emerge as the new stars of quality-oriented viticulture. While Apulia is famed for its red wines, in the heart of the region, a legacy of old white wine varieties is fighting for survival. Especially the Valle d'Itria, a limestone-rich plateau 400 meters high, presents a unique wine landscape that stands out from the surrounding "heel of the boot." Whereas in other parts of Apulia, robust red wines dominate, here the indigenous white varieties are the main act, nurtured by the altitude, sunshine, and sea breezes from both the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.
In this extraordinary geological and historical setting, a new brand emerges, dedicated to preserving the winemaking, culture, and traditions of Puglia.