Our winery has received the prestigious Equalitas certification
Our History Becomes National Heritage: The “Piero e Salvatore Leone de Castris” Museum Joins Museimpresa
We are proud to announce a prestigious new chapter in our history: as of January 2026, our winery has officially become a member of “Les Hénokiens.”
What is the Les Hénokiens Association?
Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Paris, this international association is an extremely exclusive club that brings together the excellence of global entrepreneurship. To date, it counts only 57 members worldwide, of which only 15 are Italian.
Membership is not merely a matter of longevity; it is about shared values. To be admitted, a company must meet rigorous requirements:
- Over 200 years of uninterrupted business history.
- The management of the company must have remained steadily in the hands of the founding family.
- A solid and healthy financial management.
A History Looking Toward the Future
Founded in 1665 by Duke Oronzo Arcangelo Maria Francesco of the Counts of Lemos, our winery boasts over 350 years of history. From selling bulk wine abroad to the revolution of 1925—when pioneers Piero Leone Plantera and Donna Lisetta de Castris began bottling quality wine—our journey has been marked by legendary milestones.
It was under this vision that icons of Italian oenology were born, such as Five Roses (1943), the first rosé bottled in Italy, and the red Salice (1954), which paved the way for the creation of the Salice Salentino DOC.
The current “helmsman” of the company, Dr. Piernicola Leone de Castris, enthusiastically welcomed this recognition, which was formalized by the association’s president, Alberto Marenghi:
“This represents an important recognition of our deep roots in the region and our centuries-old production reality, which has always been managed with dedication and the preservation of traditions. Everything must be done while respecting production traditions in the vineyard and the cellar, with the goal of enhancing indigenous grape varieties.”
Today, with approximately 250 hectares of vineyards and a production ranging from great classics to new high-end excellences, Leone de Castris continues to represent a valuable alternative, operating between the know-how of the past and constant innovation.
