MMD adds Tommasi family Puglian estate to portfolio

By Mathew Lyons

Published: 18 March, 2016

Maisons Marques et Domaines has partnered with Italy's Masseria Surani Wines to become its sole importer and distributor in the UK.

Masseria Surani is an 80ha estate in Puglia, on the Salento peninsula, the south-easternmost area in Italy.

The estate was acquired by the Tommasi family in 2013.

It is located in Manduria in terroir ideally suited for the cultivation of the Primitivo varietal.

Its vineyards are organically farmed and planted using the high-density, low-yielding Guyot training system.

The estate takes its name from a traditional, high-walled sandstone Puglian farmhouse known as a masseria.

The Tommasi family has completely refurbished its vinification and maturation facilities, and there is an ongoing programme of investment in other areas such as the the winery's cellaring capacity.

Richard Billett, managing director of Maisons Marques et Domaines, said: "The Tommasi family is a celebrated name in Italian wine with a four-generation history and a strong vision for the future. We are delighted to be extending our association with the family and strengthening our proposition further with the addition of Masseria Surani."

Pierangelo Tommasi, owner and export manager, said: "With Masseria Surani we started an important and challenging adventure. We are working hard on this project as we strongly believe in the potential of the Apulia and the Manduria areas in particular to produce excellent fruit."

Viticulture in Manduria dates back to its colonisation by the Greeks around 700BC.

Masseria Surani's wines are named for the Greek gods in homage to that history.

The Ares Rosso 2014, named after the God of War, is a full-bodied red, and the Arthemis Fiano 2015 is a perfumed and crisp white wine named in honour of the goddess of the moon.

The Heracles Primitivo Puglia IGT 2014, which carries the name of the son of Zeus, is powerful and intense, while the rich and complex Dionysos Primitivo di Manduria DOC Riserva 2011 honours the god on wine himself.

The Ares and Arthemis are both priced at £10.99, and the Heracles and Dionysos at £13.99 and £26.50 respectively.

The Tommasi family has been making wine since 1902.

Its other estates include Tommasi Viticoltori and Filodora Estate in Veneto; Tenuta Caseo in Oltrepò Pavese, Lombardy; and in Tuscany, Casisano in Montalcino and Poggio al Tufo in Maremma.

Maisons Marques et Domaines was established in 1986 by Champagne Louis Roederer to manage the sales, marketing and distribution of its Champagnes in the UK market.

It now represents a portfolio of select, family-owned producers from around the world to a premium client base in both the on- and off-trade.

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