Primitivo Wine

With a name roughly translating to the ‘early one’ in Italian, Primitivo is a dark-skinned grape variety known for producing ripe-fruited and somewhat tannic wines. This variety is believed to be older than the practice of winemaking itself, with evidence pointing to it being grown as far back as 6,000 BCE. With a variety as old and famous as this, you can taste the history in every sip.

Primitivo is also called another name in some countries—Zinfandel.

A red wine grape most commonly grown in Italy, it’s known for its high sugar content and full-bodied flavor. Primitivo wines are typically high in alcohol and have a deep, ruby-red color. The grape makes various wines, including dry red wines, fortified wines, and dessert wines.

Rich in flavor and almost luxurious in feel and texture, Primitivo is a fruit-forward, bold wine perfect for the colder seasons when warming food is on the table.

Looking for a delicious Primitivo? Our selection of Primitivo wines has something for everyone.

Although Primitivo is originally from Croatia (where it’s called Tribidrag), southern Italy, particularly the Puglia region, is considered the grape’s spiritual home. The climate in Puglia is perfect for growing these grapes, and the region has been producing them for centuries.

Introduced to North America in the 1800s, Primitivo quickly became a favorite grape variety, though renamed Zinfandel. While grown across the U.S., it’s mainly found in California.

Primitivo also grows in Mexico, Western, South Australia, South Africa, and in France’s Côtes de Thongue region.

Despite their thin skins, Primitivo grapes produce medium-full-bodied wines with medium-high levels of tannins. Because of their naturally high sugar levels, Primitivo wines are medium-low in acidity and typically high in alcohol content—often exceeding 15% ABV. The grape is known for its intense flavor, often described as “jammy.”

The style of Primitivo depends on several factors, including the ripeness of the grapes, the climate they are grown in, and whether they have been barrel aged. However, Primitivo’s full body and fruit-forward flavors are consistent throughout, making it a must for red wine drinkers.

Thin-skinned Primitivo grapes ripen early, producing wines with high sugar content and fruit-forward flavors.

Primitivo wines produced in warmer climates commonly have more decadent, dark flavors, such as:

• Blackberry
• Cherry
• Raisin
• Blueberry

But in cooler climates, Primitivo can take on lighter red fruit flavors such as:

• Strawberry
• Raspberry
• Jammy peach
• Red plum

For barrel-aged Primitivo wines, you can expect these delicious flavors to mingle with smokier, earthy flavors, such as vanilla and cinnamon, black pepper, licorice, and sweet tobacco.

When choosing a Primitivo, pay close attention to its flavors and how dry it is.

A Primitivo from warmer climates, such as California (particularly in Napa and Amador) and South Australia, will appeal to those who prefer a wine with more intense flavors and a rounded, smooth feel. A Primitivo from cooler climate locations, such as South Africa, will delight with wonderfully light and summery red fruit flavors.

American oak is the most popular barrel for aging Primitivo, with Italian Primitivo undergoing this process to take on those famous California-esque dark chocolate and spice flavors.

With its full body and ripe fruit flavors, Primitivo perfectly accompanies hearty dishes. Think lamb or beef stews, Asian barbecue dishes, grilled steak, roast pork, and Pizza Rustica—a classic Puglian dish.

For vegetarians, bean-heavy casseroles, roasted root vegetables, salty or smoked cheeses like Parmesan and Gouda, and stuffed peppers make warming, meat-free alternatives, perfect for midweek meals and weekend get-togethers.

Like Petite Sirah and Malbec, Primitivo is best served at room temperature (around 68° F). If served too warm, the high alcohol content can make the wine’s flavors overpowering.

Decant 30 minutes before serving, and pour into Burgundy-style wine glasses to allow those juicy, rich aromas to develop.