Barbara Schapke

Background & Journey

• Origins: Barbara hails from Porto Alegre, Brazil. She studied Public Relations at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul.

• Path to Wine: Initially aiming for a career in gastronomy, she switched tracks to communication. Her passion for storytelling led her to pursue international opportunities, including a year of volunteer work across Europe.

• Academic Pivot: In Italy, she completed a master’s in Wine Culture, Communication and Management, solidifying her pivot toward the world of wine.

Professional Evolution in the Wine World

• First Steps: Barbara began with an internship at Cantina Barbera—an artisanal Sicilian winery in Menfi run by Marilena Barbera. Her hands-on involvement in the harvest taught her a great deal.

• Growing Scope: She later joined Tasca d’Almerita, a large Italian wine group (producing about 4 million bottles annually). There, she worked in communications and eventually moved to Etna—igniting an even deeper passion for wine.

• Independent Leap: In 2022, she took a bold step—leaving the corporate path. She resettled in the tiny agricultural town of Montallegro (Agrigento province) and embraced the world of natural wines.

Into Winemaking

• First Vintage: Her initial foray in 2022 was modest—just 500 bottles crafted playfully at a friend's winery. By 2023, production swelled to 1,200 bottles.

• Her Label: Allegre: A clever nod to her roots—Porto Alegre and Montallegro—the brand “Allegre” embodies her journey.

• Wine Portfolio (2024 vintage):

  • Allegre Bianco: A composition evolving from Grecanico to Catarratto, then Grillo and Caricante from Etna soils. (1,200 bottles)

  • Allegre Rosso: A red blend of Grenache, Sangiovese, and Nerello Mascalese from old Etna vines. (400 bottles)

  • Allegre Rosato: Rosé from Nero d’Avola and Frappato sourced from Vittoria. (quantity unspecified)

  • Cat: Pure Catarratto from Calatafimi—celebrated for its refined complexity from chalky soils. (1,000 bottles)

  • Sparkling Ancestral Rosato: Made from Nerello Mascalese at 800 m in Linguaglossa, north of Etna. (700 bottles)

• Favorite: Her personal favorite is the “Cat”—a Catarratto from Calatafimi, adored for the complexity imparted by its unique terroir.

Philosophy & Vision

Barbara’s story reflects a shift from corporate wine communication to becoming an authentic, independent voice in natural wine production. She focuses on sustainability, regional identity, and expressing the terroir’s nuances through her wines.