Vineka
Valle d’Itria, Puglia, Italy
Sustainable Winemaking
Where Tradition Meets the Courage to Begin Again
Some regions whisper their story rather than declare it. The Valle d’Itria is one of them — a landscape of trulli, dry-stone walls, and ancient vineyards where time moves slowly and memory is carried in the soil. Here, winemaking is not about scale or spectacle, but about safeguarding what risks being forgotten.
This is the spirit behind Vineka — a winery born from the belief that tradition is not the opposite of modernity, but its foundation.
A Territory of Quiet Power
Stretching between Salento and central Puglia, the Valle d’Itria is a place of subtle contrasts. Limestone-rich soils, gentle elevations, and steady breezes create a natural balance between freshness and structure. Vineyards are woven into everyday life, often tended by families who have worked the same plots for generations.
This land does not seek reinvention. It asks for understanding.
Vineka’s wines are shaped by this restraint — clear, honest expressions of a territory where history still sets the rhythm.
Guglielmo Zito: Returning to the Source
Born in Martina Franca, Guglielmo Zito’s path into wine began early, through studies in agroeconomics and hands-on experience in the local vineyards of the Valle d’Itria. His journey then took him far from home — first to London as an export manager, and later across Europe as a wine importer, building strong international market knowledge.
In 2016, he made a decisive return. Not to expand, but to focus. Not to delegate, but to oversee every step of production himself.
That year, Vineka was born — a personal project shaped with pride, intention, and responsibility toward the land that formed him.
An Evolving Vision, Grounded in Sustainability
From the beginning, Vineka chose a different path. The team stepped away from large-volume production, working instead in close partnership with local growers whose knowledge of the vineyards runs deep. Sustainability is not a trend here; it is a practical choice rooted in respect for people and place.
Alongside the original Vineka label, two additional projects emerged — ZITO and ITALY — each reflecting a different facet of Puglian identity. Together, they have found recognition both in Italy and internationally, appealing to wine professionals seeking authenticity, balance, and regional clarity.
Today, Vineka presents a focused collection of Puglian wines that move naturally between everyday tradition and refined, premium expressions.
Native Grapes, Preserved Voices
At the heart of Vineka’s philosophy is a dedication to indigenous varieties that define southern Puglia. Primitivo di Manduria expresses warmth, depth, and generosity. Susumaniello reveals a more structured, vibrant side of the region. And Verdeca, once close to disappearing, stands as a quiet treasure of the Valle d’Itria — fresh, mineral, and unmistakably local.
Each wine is a tribute to a grape, a place, and a cultural memory that deserves continuity.
Looking Forward, Without Letting Go
Vineka’s vision extends beyond the bottle. New projects are underway, including curated wine tasting experiences that connect wine with local history, wellbeing, and nature. The winery is also expanding its presence in weddings and events, while developing new premium cuvées that deepen its exploration of the territory.
Progress, here, is measured — always in dialogue with tradition.
In Essence
Vineka is not about rediscovering Puglia. It is about remembering it well.
Through sustainable practices, native grapes, and hands-on craftsmanship, Vineka safeguards the identity of the Valle d’Itria — offering wines that are sincere, rooted, and quietly confident.
These are not wines made to follow trends. They are wines made to last.
