Wine Holidays Salento

Located on the “heel” of Italy’s boot, Salento's area is the perfect destination for wine lovers who wish to combine a holiday in the south of Italy with various wine tastings and visits to some of the best wineries in Puglia.

The territory of Salento boasts several wineries that you can visit, where you will be able to enjoy wine tastings in beautiful settings and discover the winemaking traditions of the area. Viticulture in Apulia, in fact, dates back to ancient times and focuses mainly on the cultivation of red grape varieties. The area’s appellation, Salento IGT, includes red, white, rosé, Frizzante, Spumante and Passito wines, however, wine production in the area of Salento focuses, as according to its tradition, on rustic, dry red wines.

Between one winery visit and the other, we recommend taking some time to taste the local cuisine, for example taking a street food tour in one of the main cities in the area of Salento. Some must tries are orecchiette con cime di rapa (pasta with broccoli rabe), bombette (pork and cheese rolls) and pasticciotto, a pastry filled with custard.

During your wine tastings in Salento, you will have the opportunity to taste some of the many grape varieties that are indigenous to the area, as well as some international ones. The most common red grape types are Negroamaro, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Montepulciano and Malvasia Nera, while the most widespread white grape varieties are Trebbiano Toscano, Bombino Bianco and Falanghina amongst others.

Due to its vicinity to the sea, the destination of Salento is most popular in summer, especially in the month of August. Booking your wine tastings and winery visits in Salento between April and October will allow you to enjoy also Salento’s white beaches and crystal clear waters.

Besides visiting the many wineries of Salento that offer wine tastings and vineyard tours, we recommend seeing some of the area’s highlights, such as the cities of Lecce, Gallipoli and Otranto, Grotta della Poesia, Corigliano’s Castle, Ostuni.

The average price of a wine tasting with winery visit in Salento is around €50.50. Depending on the experience, prices range from €20 to €81. Booking in advance ensures availability and the best prices.

Here are the top wineries to visit in Salento:

• Conti Zecca
• Castel di Salve
• Puglia Pop
• Masseria Borgo dei Trulli
• Tenute Girolamo
• Tenute Rubino
• Vigneti Reale srl
• Cantina Mir

Here are the best wine tastings to book in Salento:

• Wine tasting and tour at Castel di Salve in Salento
• Vineyard, winery tour and wine tasting with aperitif at Tenuta Santoro in Ostuni
• The Place To Be - Livin’ la Valle d’Itria by PugliaPOP
• Wine Tasting & Winery Tour at Tenuta Corallo in Salento
• Guided Vineyard & Winery Tour and Tasting at Masseria Borgo dei Trulli
• The First Taste – Between Trulli and Vines by Puglia Pop in Valle D'Itria
• The Journey – Wine Tasting at Puglia Pop Winery in Valle D'Itria
• Primitivo di Manduria Exclusive Tasting at the Soloperto Winery