The Jonica goat is a native breed to Salento, which has grazed for centuries in the ancient Terra d’Otranto, which corresponds to the current provinces of Brindisi and Lecce in Taranto, where the flocks are a characteristic element of the landscape. This area consists of lands that are scorched in the summer heat and shepherds who accompany the sheep in the countryside among olive groves and dry stone walls in search of nourishment.
This breed most likely comes from a cross between specimens from a local population of the Ionian arc and animals from the Maltese breed. The particularly long and wide ears, that hang down for both the males and the females is a characteristic trait of the Maltese goat breed.
The Jonica is a medium to large size with a small and light head; its limbs are long and light with clear and solid nails. The white fleece can sometimes be slightly pink, with tawny speckles or spots on the head and neck. There is a tuft of matted hair on the highest part of the head of the males.
It is a very prolific breed, which is mainly used for milk. Fresh ricotta, ricotta forte, ricotta marzotica, in spring, cacioricotta in the summer months are produced and, the rest of the year, cheeses of various shapes and sizes are made which are either consumed fresh or aged and then grated.
The Jonica goat has played an important economic role for the families in Salento for many years, but the gradual disappearance of pastoralism in the Ionian arc has led to the abandonment of its herd which today is at serious risk of disappearance. There are in fact only a hundred heads remaining.
The breeders follow traditional farming methods, grazing most of the year on the Mediterranean scrub land, weaning the kids under the mother and practicing natural reproduction methods.
Agr. Lu Piaci
di Rocco Mancarella
C.da Lu Piace
Lequile (LE)
Tel. +39 388 0749977
Agriturismo Masseria Bellimento
di Vincenzo e Giuseppe Presicce
Strada Cucchiara 177
Nardò (LE)
Tel. +39 339 523 0705
www.facebook.com/agriturismomasseriabellimento
Azienda Agricola Domenico Amatulli
Contrada San Paolo 90/A
Martina Franca (TA)
Tel. +39 080 449 0251
Azienda Agricola Bruno Pastore
di Katia Pastore
Via Rocci Perrella 104
Alezio (LE)
Tel. +39 327 380 6803
www.aziendapastore.it
Azienda Agricola Giuseppe Simeone
Masseria Monti di Basile
Martina Franca (TA)
Tel. +39 080 449 0281
Azienda Agricola Antonio Turnone
Masseria Tagliente
Martina Franca (TA)
Tel.+39 366 384 7195
Masseria Fumarola
di Biagio Santoro
Ostuni (BR)
santoro.biagio@libero.it
Cava Verde Bio Farm Società Agricola
di Antonio Castrignanò
Via Vicinale Filari, 10
Calimera (LE)
Tel. 329 650 5006
ingacastrrignano@libero.it
www.lacavaverde.it
Davide Macrì
C.da Moccuso
Torre San Giovanni - Ugento (LE)
Tel. +39 347 1824626
Michele Neglia
Contrada Apani
Brindisi
micheleneglia551@gmail.com
Antonio Castrignanò
Tel. +39 329 650 5006
ingacastrignano@libero.it
Head of the Slow Food Presidium
Rocco Tinella
Tel. +39 340 273 0256
tinellarocco@hotmail.it