Bombino nero (or Buonvino) is mentioned by Frojo (1875) within his ampelographic studies carried on in the Puglia region. The short description poited out some main leaf traits, such as the leaf with five lobes and deep sinuses, sharp teeth and hairs on the lower side, as well as some main bunch traits, such as its pine cone shape, almost round berry shape and bluish berry color (likely related to the abundant bloom).  

Del Gaudio e Valicenti (1962) report the view that the name "Bombino" could come from the bunch shape (baby-like), while the term "Buonvino" (good wine) could come from the abundat grape and must production typical of this genotype. The same Authors report that, at that time, this variety was grown at amost all the old vineyard and that its itroduction, athough very old, lacked reliable data.