Francesco’s dream in 1929

Between Guagnano and San Donaci, in the north of Salento, a marshy land of over 250 hectares is reclaimed to become a large vineyard, home to the native vines of the territory: Negramaro, Primitivo, Malvasia.

Thus began the dream of Francesco Candido, son of Giacomo, founder of the family business and part of a far-sighted generation of visionaries in love with their territory, and assured it a new place in history.

Revolutionaries

Full-bodied grapes, fertile soils, the perfect climate. The product was already there, but the awareness of being on the brink of something very special was still lacking. Puglia was still known for being the great reservoir of Italy; grapes travelled in baskets and must in tanks to give strength to the famed wines of the North. In Candido, however, the idea of making wine on home turf began to mature. To accompany the cultivation of the vine already taking place, a winery was kitted out to transform the grapes and bottle the finished product.

The Candido brand produces its first bottles

The harvest of 1957 sees the first bottles of Negroamaro under the Candido label, a brand which is among the first Salento companies to bottle wine of its own production.

Thanks to the company’s then wine consultant, a young Severino Garofano, the attention to detail and care shown in the vineyards is extended to work in the winery itself.

The third generation of the company begins with Alessandro

Francesco’s dream grows and evolves into a solid, successful business. In 1978, Francesco’s son, Alessandro, took the reins, having grown up both personally and professionally at the heart of the family business. That same passion and dedication to authenticity continue to define Candido, striking the perfect balance between tradition, experience and technology.

The prestigious “Eccellenza d’Italia” award

In 2008, the 3rd EURISPES Report “Nostra Eccellenza” listed Candido among the top 100 public and private companies in Italy which, via their top-quality products and services, bring prestige, renown and employment to the country, contributing to growth and maintaining Italy’s image on the world stage.

The Cappello di Prete is born, the first pure negroamaro bottled in Salento

A ruby red of great structure, with an intense, warm, austere aroma and a full and velvety flavor. The Cappello di Prete is one of the most famous wines of Candido and of the entire regional wine production, the only one from Puglia mentioned by Neil Beckett in the famous “1001 wines to try in life”.

50 Vinitaly together

Candido was awarded the “50 Vinitaly together” award, a recognition assigned by Vinitaly, the most important event in the world dedicated to wine and spirits, to the 42 Italian companies that have participated in the event since its first edition, in 1967.

Paololeo takes over Candido winery

In a move that signals a major shift in Salento’s wine scene, Cantine Paololeo has acquired the historic Candido estate. This acquisition is designed to safeguard Candido’s unique identity and boost enotourism while ensuring continued production by merging traditional craftsmanship with the Leo family’s forward-thinking approach.