Susumaniello in Festa: celebrating the grape variety together with AIS Puglia
On Friday, September 12, Susumaniello will take center stage with “Susumaniello in Festa”, the event organized by the Italian Sommelier Association – Puglia. The gathering will be held in the welcoming town of Mesagne, in the Province of Brindisi, and is dedicated to one of the most fascinating and identity-defining grape varieties of our territory—a variety that for over twenty years has been at the heart of our winemaking project and the protection of Apulian native grapes.
It will be a day entirely devoted to highlighting the value and future prospects of Susumaniello, now a symbol of an Apulian wine scene in constant evolution.
The event will begin at 6:00 PM in the extraordinary setting of the Norman-Swabian Castle, with the final stage of the 1st Best Sommelier of Susumaniello Competition. The three finalists, having passed the written test, will face off in an exciting practical challenge in front of the audience, which will crown the very first absolute winner of the title. A challenge with a clear purpose: to enhance this grape variety and share its story with the public and wine lovers.
At 7:30 PM, the celebration will move to the vibrant heart of Mesagne, in Piazza Orsini, with a wine & food tasting event. Participants will discover and enjoy the richness of Susumaniello wines—in their rosé, red, and sparkling versions—paired with local culinary specialties.
The evening will open with the talk “Susumaniello: the revelation of Apulian oenology”, featuring prominent representatives from the wine world, institutions, and hospitality, including Luigi Rubino:
- Rocco Caliandro, Delegate of Brindisi Sommeliers, AIS Puglia
- Giacomo D’Ambruoso, President of Sommeliers, AIS Puglia
- Antonio Matarrelli, Mayor of Mesagne
- Angelo Maci, President of the Brindisi DOC Wine Protection Consortium
- Luigi Rubino, Tenute Rubino – The Home of Susumaniello
- Pierangelo Argentieri, President of Federalberghi Brindisi
- Giuseppe Baldassarre, National Councillor, AIS Italia
A moment of dialogue and in-depth discussion that will shed light on the present and future of Susumaniello, the undisputed protagonist of new Apulian winemaking choices.
The tasting experiences, deeply tied to the territory, are designed to enhance the uniqueness of the grape variety:
- Selection of cured meats and cheeses by AIS Puglia
- Tasca of Pugliese bombette by Fratelli Vitale with toasted rustic bread
- Sandwich with brasciola by Ristorante Giudamino
It’s not just about glasses and dishes: the entire historic center of Mesagne will become the stage for the festival, with restaurants and venues offering special menus paired with the different expressions of Susumaniello. A unique opportunity to discover how this grape—long at the core of Tenute Rubino’s research and production—can powerfully convey the authentic soul of Puglia.