Puglia is one of Italy’s most important regions for winemaking, with a millennia-old tradition linked to vine cultivation. Exploring the finest wineries and tasting the most exquisite wines can be an intriguing idea for a vacation out of the ordinary.
Discovering the best wine destinations in Puglia is undoubtedly one of the finest experiences you can have in this area. Explore what to see in places where you can taste the renowned native wines of this land, such as the famous Primitivo di Manduria, Negramaro, or Salice Salentino, and, amidst sips, let yourself be enchanted by the landscape.
Primitivo di Manduria and the Ravines
One of the most famous full-bodied red wines in Puglia is Primitivo di Manduria. This wine is produced in the provinces of Taranto and Brindisi. Made with grapes from vineyards immersed in the captivating landscape of this area, Primitivo di Manduria offers a unique sensory experience. It is an elegant and aromatic wine. Over the years, the Primitivo vine has skillfully adapted, benefiting from the cool winds from the nearby Ionian Sea.
An essential stop during the journey to discover Primitivo di Manduria includes Massafra and the National Museum of Taranto, which preserves important artifacts from the ancient winemaking of Magna Graecia. Here, precious relics such as amphorae, craters, hydriai, kantharoi, and oinochoai provide an overview of ancient production techniques.
Massafra, with its small historic center, is worth exploring on foot. Just outside the city, you’ll find the valleys of the ravines. Some of these are only accessible through guided tours, so it’s advisable to check with the local tourist office for available times and days. The most interesting ones include Gravina San Marco and Gravina della Madonna della Scala.
Take advantage of the Primitivo di Manduria tour to also visit Ostuni, the “white city.” The heart of Ostuni is Piazza della Libertà, the city’s “living room,” an excellent starting point for exploration. Here, you’ll find restaurants and bars creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere where you can, of course, taste excellent Apulian wines, including Primitivo di Manduria. The square also houses the ancient church of San Francesco and the Obelisk of Sant’Oronzo, an imposing monument almost 21 meters high, erected in honor of the city’s patron saint. This Baroque-style obelisk, with the statue of the saint presiding at the top, bears a resemblance to the one in Piazza Sant’Oronzo in Lecce.
Negramaro and the Piana Messapica
Red wine enthusiasts will have tasted Negramaro at least once. This intense and structured red wine is one of the symbols of the Salento region, along with, as we’ll see shortly, Salice Salentino.
Negramaro is produced in the picturesque Piana Messapica, an area characterized by a fertile countryside that once hosted lush pastures. During your journey, you will pass through landscapes that will remind us of the deep connection with the region’s food and wine culture, especially with wine and olive oil. In a few kilometers, you’ll move between locations like Squinzano and Guagnano, part of the renowned Valle della Cupa.
This charming scenery of the Tavoliere delle Puglie also embraces Lecce. In these places, the ancient Lecce nobility chose to reside or spend their holidays. For this reason, the countryside is dotted with farmhouses and noble villas immersed in greenery, still preserving their charm.
For those who appreciate fine beverages, in the province of Lecce, you can visit the Wine Museum in Parabita. Nearby you will also find Nardò, where you can take a pleasant stroll to discover its noble character, admire the graffiti of the Bay of Uluzzo dating back to the Paleolithic period, visit the Porto Selvaggio Park, or explore the marine areas of Santa Maria al Bagno and Santa Caterina with their splendid farmhouses.
Galatina is also a stop on your journey. This locality can boast over thirty sumptuous historical palaces, a characteristic that has earned it the title of Art City.
Fiano and Verdeca in the Itria Valley
In Puglia, not only red wines exist; Fiano is a fresh white wine produced from the grape of the same name originating in the Itria Valley. It is a fresh yet rich wine with intense fruity aromas.
Another wine you can taste in the Itria Valley is Verdeca, with a light yellow color, typical of Apulian grapes of the Verdeca variety. It is a white table wine, perfect with seafood dishes.The landscapes of this area are famous for their extraordinary beauty. The Itria Valley, also known as the Valley of the Trulli, extends through the provinces of Bari, Brindisi, and Taranto, including the municipalities of Carovigno, Castellana Grotte, Ceglie Messapica, Cisternino, Fasano, Martina Franca, Ostuni, San Vito dei Normanni, and many others.
In the surroundings, you can’t miss the trulli of Alberobello, symbols of the region. These ancient cone-shaped buildings, a UNESCO heritage, create an enchanting scenario among vineyards and olive groves, which in autumn are tinged with warm and inviting colors. A short distance away is Locorotondo, a charming town perched on a hill about 400 meters above sea level. This village, included among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, impresses with its circular shape and the dazzling whiteness of its white-painted houses.
Here, in the surrounding countryside, you can admire numerous trulli, but in Locorotondo, the characteristic dwellings are the “cummerse,” distinguished by their pointed sloping roofs. Walking through the charming streets of this village means getting lost among flowered balconies and Baroque details that embellish the facades of white-painted houses, lace curtains, and enticing scents from traditional cuisine.
Salice Salentino and southern Salento
There is, of course, room for rosé wines like Salice Salentino. Rosés are indeed one of the peculiarities of the region, characterized by their enveloping fragrances and pleasant taste. They pair perfectly with local cuisine, based on seafood and more. These young wines, with their brilliant shades, have become a true symbol of Salento’s oenological identity.
You cannot leave Salento without first making a stop in Gallipoli, the beautiful seaside resort that attracts thousands of tourists from around the world every summer. Those who visit in summer will find white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. Not surprisingly, these coasts are often referred to as the “Maldives of Puglia.”
In Salento, there is another unmissable tourist attraction: the magnificent Castle of Corigliano d’Otranto. This imposing structure, with a square plan and four circular towers, dates back to the medieval era, but in the sixteenth century, it was adapted to new war needs. Its facade, enriched with human figures, was designed a hundred years later by a talented local architect. Within the walls of this fortress, there are tales of a spectral shadow, and curiously, the two rear towers have been transformed into apartments for those who wish to experience a unique and fascinating stay.
And you, have you already planned your next trip to Puglia to discover the best wines and the most enchanting locations? Book one of our villas with a pool or vacation homes in Puglia.
