Ex Vite, Salento’s wine for Holy Mass is born Ex Vite

Ex Vite (Latin for “from the vine”) is the first and only wine for Holy Mass produced in Puglia, born from the collaboration between Opera Seme, a civil economy project of the Caritas diocese of Nardò-Gallipoli, and Cupertinum, a historic winery in Copertino. Strictly “ex genimine vitis” (from the fruit of the vine) in accordance with the Code of Canon Law (can 924 § 3) and all ecclesiastical prescriptions on the matter. Its suitability for sacramental use is controlled and certified by the Vicar General of the Diocese of Nardò Gallipoli.

During the presentation of Ex Vite, Monsignor Fernando Tarcisio Filograna, Bishop of the Diocese of Nardò-Gallipoli, stressed the importance of collaboration and solidarity: “This wine is a particular wine, expression of a project – the one of Opera Seme, of a community – the one of the members of the winery, of a collaboration. It is a particular wine because it is transformed into the blood of Christ. Today we have to work more and more together, with a community of intentions, with cohesion. We must enhance the territories and the products derived from them”, he continued recalling how the work of the monks for many centuries has contributed to the history of wine culture, concluding: “In the Bible there are three elements: wine, olive tree and wheat. They are three main crops of our land. Noah, the first plant he planted after the flood was the vine, the vine because wine is a symbol of celebration, joy, communion”.

Don Giuseppe Venneri, head of the OperaSeme project, recalled the main points that characterize the project of civil economy of the diocesan Caritas, highlighting the work of the young people of the social cooperative, the canteens for the poor, and insisting on the importance of solidarity purchasing groups, ethical consumption, the short chain, the virtuous circuit to be created in the territory.

Giuseppe Pizzolante Leuzzi, Cupertinum’s winemaker, explained the particular processing of Ex Vite, a Rosato Salento IGT from Negroamaro grapes, produced with all the care required by the Canon Law, in the vineyard and in the cellar; he told about his and the young winemakers’ excitement in following this new adventure.

Francesco Trono, president of Cupertinum, recalled the many years of collaboration with Opera Seme, and that “Ex Vite, was born from the collaboration between Opera Seme and Cupertinum and is the first and only Wine for the Holy Mass to be produced in Puglia. It is important to start from what the territory offers in order to enhance, strengthen and reinterpret it: agricultural culture first of all. It is necessary to involve cooperative and social realities, public bodies and private citizens, to invest the areas of production, sales and training in the direction of a cultural change, for the respect of the territory”.

 

EX VITE can be purchased on www.operaseme.it or on FB store online or at the OperaSeme store in Nardó, Via Duomo, or by calling +39 392 6649584

“I see confirmation and surprises in the new 2026 wine guides for our wines. With these awards, Cupertinum confirms its status as a company of excellence, reliable over time, dynamic in identifying new goals and achieving them,” says Francesco Trono, president of Cupertinum. Winemaker Giuseppe Pizzolante Leuzzi, now accustomed to the awards that come flooding in year after year, is also satisfied: “The focus on quality and modern winemaking that respects tradition is understood and rewarded. These awards reward the members, the winery’s workers, and the territory.”

 Here is a brief list of recent awards and prizes received by Cupertinum wines:

  • Cupertinum has been included among the best Italian wineries in Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book guide to wines from around the world. The renowned guide, edited by Margaret Rand, recommends: Copertino Riserva, Settantacinque, Spinello dei Falconi, and Negroamaro!
  • Danielle Callegari of Wine Enthusiast award: 92 points to Copertino Riserva DOC; 91 points to Primitivo Salento IGT: “two fantastic deals from this winery that confirm the high quality of the company’s labels.”
  • Wine Spectator awards Copertino Riserva DOC 2015: 89 points and Aldieri Primitivo Salento IGT 2021: 89 points (“well-elevated reds, medium-bodied, with light tannins,” says expert Eric Guido).
  • As far as international recognition is concerned, another great result is worth mentioning: the Gold Medal at the International Wine & Spirits Awards for COPERTINO RISERVA and POGGIANI Negroamaro.
  • Guida essenziale ai vini d’Italia (DoctorWine Daniele Cernilli )awards Copertino Riserva 92 points and Spibello dei Falconi 90 points.
  • The VITAE guide published by the Sommelier Association awards 4 VITI to Settantacinque Copertino and 3 VITI to Copertino Doc, Copertino Riserva, Poggiani Negroamaro, and Spinello dei Falconi. The sommeliers write: “wines of recognized and appreciated quality; the Negroamaro, in its various forms, represents the jewel in the crown.”
  • SlowWine: Cupertinum is featured in the SlowFood guide with the TopWine award for Spinello dei Falconi and a beautiful description that highlights the advantageous quality/price ratio, with accurate and complimentary organoleptic descriptions of all the wines.
  • The Touring Club’s Vinibuoni d’Italia guide awards our wines 4 stars to Copertino DOC Riserva, Copertino DOC and Spinello dei Falconi and 3 stars to Squarciafico Rosato and Settantacinque.
  • Bibenda, the guide published by the Italian Sommelier Foundation, awards Settantacinque, Copertino DOC Riserva, Aldieri Primitivo, and Poggiani Negroamaro with 4 Grappoli.
  • The Veronelli Guide awards 3 Red Stars to Settantacinque Copertino DOC and 2 Stars to all wines, with special mention to Spinello dei Falconi and all Copertino DOC wines.
  • The Il Golosario guide by Gatti/Massobrio names Primitivo as a Top Wine.

“Wine is the song of the earth to the sky” wrote the master of food and wine criticism Luigi Veronelli. It is worth repeating this for the awards given to Cupertinum wines!