A Mano

About A Mano

A Mano cofounder and winemaker Mark Shannon has a long history in California. As a graduate from UC Davis and the former decade-long winemaker at Bogle Winery, Mark did not intend to end up in Puglia. However, while he was vacationing in Sicily in 1997, he met his future wife and business partner, Elvezia Sbalchiero, a wine marketing guru from Friuli.

Mark proposed a visit to Puglia to see the very old Primitivo Vines. Mark had heard that Primitivo looked a lot like the Zinfandel that California is famous for. It was supposed to be a short vacation, but they never left and started A Mano.

Today, they produce wine from exclusively native grapes. Their interpretation is a modern style with profound respect for the region. Their indigenous head-trained vines are between 70 and 100 years old, planted on deep red alluvial soils. Mark works closely with local growers as a substitute to the local coop, and he is well respected locally by setting criteria and standards.

Puglia is a treasure trove of art, history and nature. It’s a land of sun and hospitality. Puglia is a peninsula in the heart of the Mediterranean ocean with 800 km (500 miles) of coastline. The quality of life is excellent, the weather is mild, and the people are open and generous. Hospitality comes first and the people of this region will always welcome you with a smile.

Additional Resources

• Vegan Friendly Winery Statement