🍷 Wines That Transport You: The Soul of Alberto Longo

Wines That Transport You: The Soul of Alberto Longo

I’ve never set foot on the red earth of Lucera. I’ve never watched the sunrise over the vineyards or stepped through the arched doorway of Alberto Longo’s restored 19th-century farmhouse. But somehow, when I open a bottle from his winery, I feel like I have.

Because some wines don’t just taste good—they take you somewhere.

Alberto Longo’s journey began not in boardrooms or textbooks, but in the fields of Puglia in the 1960s. He was a child chasing shadows between rows of vines, where the scent of fermenting grapes and the sound of laughter around the table were part of everyday life. Decades later, in 2000, he turned those memories into something lasting: a winery built with intention, history, and love.

The wines he crafts today are more than organic (though the 23 hectares he farms are, proudly so). They are part of a living, breathing landscape—where olive trees, bees, and native plants grow in harmony with the vines. Biodiversity isn’t just a checkbox here; it’s the rhythm of the land.

Even from thousands of miles away, you can feel that story in every sip.

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Alberto Longo Primitivo 2022 – $19.99

This is the kind of red that wraps around you like a favorite old sweater. Made from 100% Primitivo—Italy’s answer to Zinfandel—it’s dark and rich, filled with notes of blackberry jam, black pepper, espresso, and just a hint of wild earth. It’s smooth, savory, and finishes with the kind of depth that makes you pause.

Drink it with: grilled meats, roasted mushrooms, a slow evening.

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Alberto Longo Bombino Bianco ‘Le Valli’ 2023 – $16.99

Light, bright, and full of character, this white blend (90% Bombino, 10% Moscato) feels like a breath of fresh sea air. Green apple, white peach, and delicate flowers float on the nose, but it’s the saline, mineral snap on the palate that makes it unforgettable. It’s the kind of wine you reach for when the day’s been long and you need something honest and refreshing.

Drink it with: seafood, creamy cheeses, or a sunny afternoon.

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Alberto Longo Donnadele Rosé 2024 – $16.99

Named for Alberto’s mother, this 100% Negroamaro rosé is a quiet celebration of grace and tradition. It’s floral, dry, and delicately fruity—like summer in a glass. I haven’t seen the vineyard where this rosé is grown, but I imagine it blooming with poppies and sun-warmed vines.

Drink it with: charcuterie, antipasti, or simply when you want to slow down.

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A Connection That Needs No Passport

I may not have met Alberto Longo or walked the vineyards of Lucera, but through these wines, I feel like I know a part of his story. I feel the care in every vintage, the devotion to the land, and the belief that wine can be more than just a drink—it can be a bridge.

So here’s to stories told through soil, sunlight, and time. Here’s to wines that remind us that we don’t have to travel far to feel something real.

– With gratitude,

A fellow traveler, glass in hand