We are a small historic family winery. In the late 19th century, our ancestor Petrera Nicola decided to build his home within the winery and chose the hill called Spinomarino, for its lofty, well-aired and sunny position, among the best ones in the entire area of Gaudella (South-eastern area of Gioia del Colle) to grow Primitivo grapes.
Our tradition of artisan vine-dressers can be traced back to that time. The land was cleared, with the trees replanted in another area of the property, and cisterns were dug out to ensure an adequate water supply. The excavated stones were used to build the ancient farm or Masseria. A triangle, carved on the highest stone of the building and used as a symbol for the winery, defines the farm as the oldest historical building in the countryside and as a cartographic point of reference.
Nicola Petrera’s passion for Primitivo grapes has been handed down from father to son along with the following words:
“Who loves and respects Nature, loves God and himself”.
Our passion, experience, and tradition along five generations were joined by the Orfino family through the marriage of Rosa Orfino and Filippo Petrera (4th generation). In 1988, inside the little cellar, dug out within the rocks, the first bottle of Primitivo DOC Gioia del Colle marked Fatalone (vintage 1987) was born.
The brand name of the wine originated with Filippo Petrera (2nd generation), Nicola’s son, who was, in his time, nicknamed Il Fatalone. It quickly caught on becoming the family nickname. Fatalone translates literally into “Lady Killer” or “one who can boast to be an irresistible seducer of women” much like the legendary Don Juan. Filippo Petrera lived until the age of 98, metaphorically speaking between Bacchus and Venus, having breakfast every morning till his last day with half a litre of Primitivo and half a litre of fresh milk.
In 1987, we were the first winery to produce and bottle the Gioia del Colle D.O.C. Primitivo as a single varietal wine. In 1993, out of our desire to measure ourselves against a noble white grape, came the Greco, also produced as a single varietal wine.
In 2000, with the spirit of promoting and valorising the land and its local product, we became the founder member of the Consortium for the Protection of the Wines D.O.C Gioia del Colle.
Our winery, with our strict family management, has always practiced organic farming, considered as a life-style in the respect of Nature and every living creature starting with ourselves, and not only as a trendy business model. To guarantee our activity, since 2000, we have been Certified Organic by the Institute for Ecology and Ethics Certification (I.C.E.A) also in accordance with the standards of the American National Organic Program (N.O.P.).
After much devotion and sacrifice, the original premises were expanded in 1993 to support the winemaking process. In 2003, the new state-of-the-art cellar, carved in the rocks next to the ancient Masseria, was built combining ancient tradition with the most modern techniques and technology.
On May 19th, 2007, the First Historic Vertical Tasting – Fatalone Riserva on 10 Vintages was held in the prestigious Council Chamber of the City Hall of Gioia del Colle. For the first time in history, our winery Azienda Agricola Petrera Pasquale, carried out a vertical tasting of 10 vintages of a Gioia del Colle D.O.C. Primitivo with our Fatalone Riserva.
The event coincided with our winery’s 20th Anniversary Celebration since the release of our first bottle in 1987. It was an exclusive and unique experience, due to the small number of existing samples of our older vintages. The eight-expert commission, composed of oenologists, wine journalists and wine operators, was amazed at the remarkable demonstration of longevity exhibited by the 10 vintages of our Fatalone Gioia del Colle DOC Primitivo Riserva from 1994 to 2004.
In the same year and in total respect of the environment, we decided to make our production cycle 100% sustainable taking advantage of solar power, a renewable energy source. We built a photovoltaic system to power our entire winery. As a result, we can proudly affirm that our Fatalone Organic Wines are made with Zero CO2 emission and just with our locally grown organic grapes.
In order to maintain and improve our high standards of production, we have sought the support of earnest and expert professionals: from the skilful workers who have helped us in the care of the vineyards to agronomists and oenologists who have supported us during the critical phases of production.
- Dr. Benedetto Lorusso, oenologist
- Dr. Gianni Masi, agronomist phytopatoligist
- Dr. Vincenzo Stea, agronomist
Our scrupulousness drove our desire to guarantee, certify and secure our work with the partnership of a key laboratory: the Panalisi from Bari (laboratory authorized by the Ministry of Health and certified by Sinal), to apply the HACCP protocol and to weekly oversee and control every aspect of our work.
We conduct complete laboratory controls on every parameter: the health of our vines, the quality of our grapes, the musts and wines, the cellar-air and water and the hygiene of our equipment, machines and premises. Nothing is left to chance.
Our Fatalone Organic Wines are presently sold all over the world.
