Historical traces would seem to point to the ancient homeland of Primitivo in the region once called Illyria, now comprising Croatia and Montenegro. It is thought that Primitivo was brought to Puglia between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries by Slavic refugees, known as Schiavoni, or Greek-Albanians fleeing Ottoman persecution. In fact, before being called “Primativo” in the late 18th century, this grape existed in the Apulian vineyards under the name “Zagarese.” The first to select it and give it the name we know today was the priest of Gioia del Colle, Don Filippo Francesco Indellicati, a botany enthusiast. He planted it in the Terzi district and named it Primativo due to the early ripening of the grapes. Its excellent oenological results favored its widespread diffusion, especially in the 19th century, particularly in the Murgia hills of Bari and the Taranto area.