Pietraventosa Apriti Cielo IGT Murgia Bianco 2022

Pietraventosa Apriti Cielo! IGT Murgia Bianco is a small-production white from the Murgia in Puglia, made from Malvasia Bianca and Minutolo. The Murgia is a distinctive limestone plateau in central Puglia, and Apriti Cielo! is shaped around freshness, minerality and the savoury character associated with this landscape rather than the richer style often associated with southern Italian whites.

The grapes are harvested by hand into small crates and gently pressed before undergoing a slow, temperature-controlled fermentation lasting around 40 days. The wine receives a further month of bottle ageing before release, with average production limited to approximately 4,000 bottles. Minutolo is particularly interesting here: an aromatic native Puglian variety that, together with Malvasia Bianca, gives the wine a distinctly local identity.

Serve at around 10 degrees with seafood, raw or grilled fish, fresh cheeses, vegetable dishes or Puglian antipasti.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.

Type: White Wine
Style: Medium-bodied, Mineral-driven, Elegant
Grape Varietal: Malvasia Bianca / Minutolo
Tastes Like: Comparable to a premium Sauvignon Blanc, but softer, more textural and restrained
Alcohol Percentage: 12.5%
Closure: Cork
Size: 750mL
Appellation: Murgia IGT
Region: Puglia, Italy
Terroir: Vineyards on the limestone-rich Murgia plateau of central Puglia, producing wines with freshness, minerality and regional character
Aging: Gentle pressing followed by a slow, temperature-controlled fermentation of approximately 40 days and a further month of bottle maturation
Serving Temperature: 8–10℃ – Serve chilled

Pietraventosa is a small Puglian producer based in the Murgia, the distinctive limestone plateau of central Puglia. The estate focuses on limited-production wines that reflect the character of this rugged landscape, combining careful vineyard work with restrained winemaking to preserve freshness and a strong sense of place.

Apriti Cielo! brings together Malvasia Bianca and Minutolo, an aromatic native variety closely associated with Puglia. Hand harvesting, gentle pressing and a long, controlled fermentation allow the varieties and limestone terroir to remain at the centre of the wine. With production limited to approximately 4,000 bottles, it is a distinctive expression of Puglia's lesser-known white wine tradition.

Seafood: Perfect with raw fish, grilled prawns, calamari or shellfish
Pasta: Excellent with seafood linguine or pasta with zucchini and herbs
Vegetarian: Pairs beautifully with grilled vegetables, artichokes or fresh salads
Puglian Classics: Ideal with antipasti, focaccia, burrata or simple Mediterranean dishes

Burrata: Creamy and delicate, complements the wine's fresh, textural style
Fresh Mozzarella: Soft and milky, pairs naturally with the wine's freshness
Young Pecorino: Mildly salty and firm, balances the wine's bright structure
Ricotta Salata: Fresh and savoury, works beautifully with the wine's Mediterranean character

Cialledda Pugliese (Puglian Bread & Tomato Salad)

Ingredients:

• 300g day-old rustic Italian bread, torn into pieces
• 400g ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 garlic clove, lightly crushed
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Fresh basil leaves
• Salt and cracked black pepper

Instructions:

1. Place the bread in a large bowl, sprinkle lightly with cold water and leave for a few minutes to soften without becoming soggy.
2. Add the tomatoes, cucumber and red onion to the bread.
3. Drizzle with the extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar, then add the oregano, basil, salt and cracked black pepper.
4. Toss everything gently until the bread has absorbed some of the tomato juices and dressing.
5. Allow the cialledda to rest for 10–15 minutes so the flavours can come together.
6. Finish with another drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and serve at room temperature.

A traditional dish of the Murgia, Cialledda is a natural match for Apriti Cielo! The fresh tomato, aromatic basil and oregano complement the floral character of Malvasia Bianca and Minutolo, while the wine's lively acidity and mineral edge balance the olive oil and rustic bread.