The Rosa del Golfo winery in Alezio is celebrating 60 years of its historic rosé from Negroamaro: Rosa del Golfo. Born in 1964 from the intuition of Mino Calò, the winery is now led by his sons Damiano and Pamela. Between celebratory tastings, reflections on the role of rosés and new wine tourism projects, rosé continues to tell the story of Salento with identity and style. Annalucia Galeone went there for us.
In Alezio, a few kilometers from Gallipoli, the winery Rosa del Golfo in 60 years has made its production style a brand, is known for being “the pinkest winery in Italy.” not by chance, rosé wines represent the most important share of the total produced in the winery, 120 thousand bottles out of a total of 200 thousand.
Sixty years of rosé in Salento
In 1964 Mino Caló, upon completing his studies at the Alba wine school, he decided to go against his father’s wishes. Instead of continuing to make bulk wine he made a bold choice that was against the grain for that period, focus on quality rather than on quantity and bottled the first 1,000 bottles of Negroamaro-based rosé with a small percentage of Malvasia Nera using the lacrima system. Mino passed away prematurely; today at the helm of the winery are. their children Damian and Pamela.
“Sixty years ago Rose of the Gulf, a fancy name for a rosé that has been able to tell the story of the Salento with its colors, scents and unmistakable character. We celebrate a journey of passion and dedication, a deep connection with our land and those who have always chosen to toast with us – Damiano and Pamela Calò declare. -. To celebrate this milestone, Rosa del Golfo will take this new celebratory edition of the bottle around Italy with themed dinners and tastings“.
The point about rosé wines
The talk was an opportunity to take stock of rosé wines. Consideration and appreciation for rosé wine has increased but the perception for this type remains that of a “second choice” whose consumption is punctuated by the summer season.
Still, rosés appeal to more and more consumer groups especially younger people, they are versatile, convivial wines, ideal for aperitifs and food pairings, and they claim their place in the wine world with an identity of their own.
Multifaceted wines, which captivate with their chromatic nuances that range from pale pink to orangey pink and theintensity of the bouquet. It needs a breakthrough with an intense and effective narrative to overcome the stereotype and talk about terroir, personality and winemaking techniques.
Rosé still seeks its space
“When my father went around to promote our wine he had many doors slammed in his face – recounts Damiano Calò -. He discussed the topic with the great Gino Veronelli who told him, Rosé is neither white nor red, neither meat nor fish, it is a seafood.
Rosé is a different thing, it has characteristics all its own – Damiano continues -. Today the typology is recognized and loved, and we have to start from here, but unfortunately consumption is still circumscribed. Operators need to be made to understand that rosé should be offered all year round and that it is the perfect wine to accompany pizza: the fatness of the mozzarella, the acidity of the tomato and the leavened part are well supported by the freshness, aromas and structure“.
The winery and the wine tourism project
The winery, in the heart of Alezio’s historic center, was an ancient farmhouse With star vaults. I vineyards are scattered among the municipalities of Alezio, Sannicola, Campi Salentino, Salice Salentino, Veglie and Parabita. In addition to Negroamaro, Verdeca, Malvasia Nera Leccese and Primitivo are grown there.
In this 2026, the Calò brothers, in addition to investing directly in foreign markets with their own buyers, will strengthen activities related to thewine tourism so far limited to their own clients.
Having an authentic winery experience, making guests fall in love with the timeless beauty of the place through the wines, warm and professional welcome is the way forward for the Calòs.
Salento Rosato Rosa del Golfo 60th vintage 2024
Score: 90/100
Average price: € 10,80
90% Negroamaro, 10% Malvasia Nera di Lecce. Cherry color. Bouquet with wild strawberries, almond, rose and spices. Fresh, savory palate, fairly persistent and balanced finish.
