Winemag.it Exclusive. Increasingly persistent rumors suggest a possible withdrawal of the Puglian winery from the group founded by Sergio Dagnino. The deal is nearing completion: it could be a matter of weeks.
Torrevento is reportedly ready to exit Prosit Group. According to information gathered by winemag.it, well-placed industry sources confirm that the Puglian winery is in advanced negotiations to buy back the 51% stake currently held by the holding company led by Sergio Dagnino. The agreement, expected immediately after the mid-August Ferragosto holiday, still depends on several legal steps being finalized by the respective law firms.
The operation would mark the end of a marriage born in 2019, when Torrevento joined the Prosit Group holding portfolio. An ambitious project founded in 2018, it aimed to create a hub of Premium and Super Premium Italian wineries to approach international markets with a unified and recognizable offering.
PROSIT GROUP: OPERATING RESULTS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
The step back by the Puglian company chaired by Francesco Liantonio—recently re-elected president of the Castel del Monte DOC Wine Protection Consortium—is reportedly motivated by results that did not meet expectations (perhaps too high and too rushed, given the industry’s current crisis?). Despite a slight improvement in the gross operating margin (EBITDA), which rose from 4.6% to 5.8% between 2022 and 2023, Prosit Group’s consolidated revenues fell from 83 to 77.2 million euros, a 7% decrease. Sergio Dagnino attributed the decline to a rationalization of the portfolio, involving the elimination of lines deemed non-strategic.
However, this vision may not have been shared by all group members. Doubts were reportedly raised particularly regarding the investment in Cantine Caldirola and its La Cacciatora brand: a 100% stake acquisition and the holding’s sixth investment, dating back to 2022. Torrevento, bolstered by its strong territorial identity and production stability, has reportedly decided to return to autonomous management, breaking away from an aggregation strategy that may be showing its first signs of strain.
TORREVENTO: TERRITORIAL IDENTITY IN PUGLIA, INDEPENDENTLY
The Puglian winery operates in the Alta Murgia National Park area, covering approximately 500 hectares of vineyards. It is active in promoting native grape varieties such as Nero di Troia, Bombino, Aglianico, Moscato, Primitivo, and Negroamaro. Since 2018, it has been Equalitas certified, focusing on environmental, social, and economic sustainability. This profile may have prompted Torrevento to seek greater independence, also in light of the positive results expected for the 2025 harvest.
Grapes in this part of Puglia appear healthy and have reached a good level of ripeness. Following the high temperatures in July, the cooler weather over the last ten days—with highs around 30°C and significant temperature swings—is favoring high quality. In the first days of August, Torrevento’s harvest will focus on grapes for sparkling wine bases. A return to normal yields is also expected, following two difficult years marked by downy mildew (2023) and drought (2024).
PROSIT GROUP LOOKS AHEAD
At present, four other wineries remain in the Prosit Group Italian portfolio: Cantina di Montalcino (Tuscany), Nestore Bosco (Abruzzo), Tenuta di Collalbrigo (Veneto), and Casa Vinicola Caldirola (Lombardy). The holding company, which just last year contributed to refreshing Torrevento’s brand image by unveiling new label designs at Vinitaly 2024, continues to focus on a business model centered on label complementarity and the internationalization of Italian wine.
However, the exit of a player like Cantine Torrevento—one of the most representative of Puglia and of the Prosit portfolio itself in terms of volume and reputation—risks marking a turning point in Sergio Dagnino’s project. Official confirmation is now awaited, which could arrive in the second half of August 2025. Nevertheless, the “divorce” appears imminent.
Summer Divorces: Torrevento leaves Prosit Group? https://www.prositgroup.it/.
