Born in 1962, he has a diploma in agricultural studies (1981) and then studied for the qualification of winemaker, which he acquired in 1984 at the Basile Caramia oenology school in Locorotondo.

During work experience at one Puglia’s most prestigious cellars, he became skilled in winemaking practices and was appointed head of the analysis laboratory.

For the next thirteen years, he was a winegrowing consultant for twelve wineries in Puglia and three in Calabria, where he managed the entire production chain from vineyard management to bottling.

In 2001 he was engaged as winemaker and production manager of the Castello Monaci winery, a splendid 210-hectare estate in Salice Salentino.