Story: A Mano | Apulien
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A Mano - Handmade wine from Apulia with future prospects
In Puglia's wine world, which is often dominated by mass and jamminess, the small winery A Mano stands out as a courageous alternative. Instead of relying on large quantities and international arbitrariness, the micro-winery focuses on craftsmanship, individuality and freshness. Behind the project are Elvezia Sbalchiero and Mark Shannon, a well-coordinated team with a great passion for quality and sustainability - and a clear vision for the future of Apulian wines.

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Small, fine, handmade
The name says it all: “A Mano” means “by hand” in Italian, and this is exactly what characterizes the philosophy of this winemaking couple. Instead of cultivating hectare after hectare, Elvezia and Mark only cultivate four hectares of vines - an almost vanishingly small plot compared to the region's large producers. But it is precisely this small scale that allows for the greatest care: each vine is carefully tended throughout the year and each grape is harvested by hand.

The result: authentic, artisan wines that stand out pleasantly from the Apulian mainstream. There is no jammy heaviness, overloaded sweetness or uniform taste here. A Mano stands for a new, fresh Apulian style that preserves its origins while breaking new ground.

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The makers: Elvezia & Mark - an international team
The heart of the winery beats to the rhythm of two personalities: Elvezia Sbalchiero, born in Italy, is the organizational backbone of A Mano. She takes care of sales, field service and much more - always with passion and pragmatism. Her partner Mark Shannon comes from California and is a qualified oenologist. His path led him via various stations in the international wine world to Apulia - where he was inspired by the potential of the region and Primitivo in particular.

Mark brought a breath of fresh air and new perspectives with him: His Primitivo wines are not sweet, heavy and alcoholic, as is so often the case in the region, but dry, fresh, elegant and with a moderate alcohol content. Even the Appassimento made from dried grapes surprises with its clarity and drinking pleasure. Mark consistently pursues the goal of producing wines that invite a second glass - a leitmotif that you can taste in every bottle of A Mano.

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Primitivo Rosato - a wine with a future
A special highlight in the A Mano range is the Primitivo Rosato. This rosé wine combines the aromatic power of the Primitivo grape with a fresh, juicy and elegant style that is perfect for summer temperatures.

As Elvezia Sbalchiero herself points out, the hot, increasingly dry climate in Puglia is posing growing challenges for the cultivation of full-bodied red wines: “The climatic conditions make it more difficult every year to balance large, heavy red wines - but we see an exciting future in the area of rosé and white wines, which are lighter, cooler and fresher.” The Primitivo Rosato is the best example of this: it smells of red berries, melon and flowers, remains dry, light-footed and animating on the palate - an ideal companion for everyday life, but also for special moments on the terrace or by the sea.

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White wine with character: Fiano-Greco cuvée
In addition to Primitivo and Rosato, A Mano also shows flair when it comes to white grape varieties. The Fiano-Greco cuvée brings together two classic Apulian varieties - Fiano, which stands for floral notes and elegance, and Greco, which brings structure and spice. The white wine is dry, pleasantly fresh, slightly herbal and spicy with citrus notes - a real insider tip for lovers of Mediterranean white wines with character.

This style is in tune with the times: more and more consumers are looking for lighter, cooler wines that work just as well in the summer heat of Puglia as they do on a German balcony. A Mano proves that Puglia can do more than strong reds - and that white and rosé wines from southern Italy have great potential.

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Close to nature - without fraudulent labeling
The wines of A Mano are produced in the most natural way possible. Although the winery does not have an official organic label - the bureaucratic effort would be disproportionately high for a company of this size - the team attaches great importance to ecological responsibility. For example, chemical additives are largely avoided and the principle of minimal intervention prevails in the vineyard and cellar.

The conviction that good wine grows in the vineyard characterizes the daily work. This is why Mark deliberately avoids “technical frippery” in the cellar - his wines should reflect their origin, not the will of the winemaker. The result: honest, accessible, modern wines that inspire with their naturalness and balance.

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A Mano - a recommendation for Puglia fans with curiosity
With its clear lines, personal signature and small, fine range, A Mano is an insider tip for anyone who wants to rediscover Apulian wine. Anyone who has had enough of opulent blockbusters will find lightness, freshness and authenticity here - at surprisingly fair prices.

The combination of international know-how, Apulian terroir and artisanal idealism makes A Mano an exciting pioneer of a new wine movement in southern Italy. The future for the region could be: less power - more elegance. Less mass - more class. Chapeau to Elvezia and Mark - A Mano stands for a new kind of Puglia that we are happy to shake hands with. - Gerardo [TS05/25]