Californian Mark Shannon and his partner Elvezia Sbalchiero originally from northern Italy, who together form A Mano, fell in love with the Primitivo grape found in the Puglian heel of Italy in the late 1990s and subsequently set about making their mark using what was, at the time, a somewhat neglected variety. They've since succeeded in making Primitivo one of Italy's most talked about grape varieties. They don't have extensive vineyards of their own but by focussing solely on quality, a modern winemaking style and by being prepared to pay top prices for the best old vine grapes, they have revolutionised the style and quality of Puglian Primitivo.