Bari, Polignano A Mare, Trani, Castel Del Monte, Conversano, Noci, Alberobello, Fasano, Lecce, Otranto.
Accommodations:
Bari: 2 Nights at the 4*Palace Hotel Conversano: 3 Nights at 4* Corte Altavilla Savelletri: 3 Nights at 5* Masseria San Domenico, Country Club, Golf, Spa, Thalasso Therapy
Group Size:
Minimum Participation 4 Passengers
Puglia or Apuglia as it is also known, stretching along miles of coastline along the Adriatic Sea, is being recognized as a premier wine producing region of Italy. In Bari, we will get the first glimpse of the elegance and sparkling beauty of this varied region. This beautiful city will afford us a great introduction to its age-old customs such as pasta-making in the narrow lanes of the historic center, the sounds and smells of meals being prepared in every home, the late night strolling along the waterfront by its inhabitants.
A great introduction to Puglia’s wines and foods will take place during a wine tasting course at the Associazione Culturale Trattorie di Puglia, an organization located in the heart of Bari’s bustling city center, dedicated to the appreciation and preservation of its wonderful oeno-gastronomic heritage.
Our home in Bari will be the elegant Palace Hotel, perfectly situated in the city center, steps away from beautiful shops, restaurants and sidewalk cafes. From Bari our journey will take us up and down the Adriatic coastline to visit ancient towns such as Polignano a Mare, an historic, beautiful and picturesque village. Also on our route is Trani, a splendid coastal town also known for its Muscat wine, whose town center winds down quaint alleyways.
On Sunday, May 29, in celebration of the “Cantine Aperte” festival, all the wine producers of the region open their cellars for wine tastings and local festivities. This is a day when wine is king and everyone is happy to defer to its power. This so called “road to the wine” will take us to the DOC zone of Corato home of Azienda Vinicola Torrevento, producers of the highly regarded Castel del Monte Rosato, Bianco and Rosso. Their facilities are impressive and their cellars are reconstructed in the vaults on an ancient Benedictine monastery. An oenologist will illustrate the production process of their DOC wines, followed by brunch in their cellar. In the vicinity, we will admire the imposing beauty of Castle del Monte, a medieval manor commissioned by Frederick II of Svevia, considered a prime example of medieval art and protected by UNESCO as a Heritage of Humanity.
In nearby Andria we will visit the beautiful, historic estate of Conte Spangloletti Zeuli which has been producing highly regarded wine, olive oil and other typical products since the 17th. Century. The estate is a perfect combination of beauty, elegance and functionality no doubt displaying in part the charm, grace and practical know-how of the Countess. They will share with us their acclaimed Castel del Monte, Terranera Rosso Riserva del Conte, their flavorful olive oil and other scrumptious specialties.
Throughout this wonderful adventure we will catch a glimpse of the local customs by partaking in local street fairs and festivals, dine on of grilled meats and local specialties, sausages, home made orecchiette, torcinelli, braciole, lamb, fresh vegetables, green olives, lambascioni, served in either the best local Gambero Rosso restaurants such as Pasha` and Da Tuccino, Osteria Corteinfiore or outdoors in a piazzas dating back to the medieval times, while being entertained by local musicians and savoring the luscious wines.
Following the “road to the wine” we will come upon other highly regarded wine producers: Masseria Monaci noted for their Le Braci and Aglianico del Vulture Sine Die wines; Leone de Castris whose historic estate dates back to the 17th. Century. Now under the able direction of Piernicola Leone de Castris, it was awarded the 2004 coveted Tre Bicchieri for its Salice Salentino Rosso Donna Lisa Riserva 2000. Among its other notable wines, the Five Roses whose rise to fame is part of the local lore; Cantine Borgo Canale who with a dynamic team at the helm has achieved high praises for their Divo and Locorotondo reds and DOC Talne`, a well rounded white wine made of Verdeca, Bianco D’Alessano and Fiano grapes; Cantine del Barsento, whose wines are not yet available in the United States, is run by a young and dynamic administration but is nonetheless steeped in traditional wine making methods. Their Malicchia Mapicchia is sure to become a sweet obsession for anyone lucky enough to drink it. By the end of our journey, after savoring Salice Salentino Rosso, Primitivo di Manduria, Aglianico del Vulture, Taras and Platone, it will be clear why Apuglia is one of the emerging, premier wine producing areas in the world.
Our hotel during this portion of our journey is the Corte Altavilla, ensconced in the heart of the ancient medieval town of Conversano. Beautifully and faithfully renovated, it retains the atmosphere and charm of its era while affording its guests a most comfortable stay. From this vantage point in Conversano, we will be within walking distance of the old town, leading us to the St. Benedict Monastery and Norman castle, home to masterpieces of 6th. Century court painter Paolo Finoglio, whose work includes the masterpiece “La Gerusalemme Liberata”. Our stay in the Conversano area will also take us for lunch at Agriturismo Montepaolo, a beautifully restored 16th. Century farmhouse, run with love, respect for the environment and the simple pleasure of providing the best in service and food that their land will provide.
The wonders do not end as we come upon another UNESCO protected town, the famed Alberobello. A town of unique beauty whose homes are built resembling round, white, dry-stone, domed structures known as “trulli”. These limestone structures whose origins date back to the 15th century as a tax evasion ploy, give the town an aura of clean, stark, white-washed beauty as the trulli gleam back in the sunlight.
The Olive Oil Museum housed in an old farmhouse dating back to the 1600s, provides yet more proof of a land steeped in history and prized traditions. We will be making our way to the end of our journey by way of Lecce, architecturally considered the ultimate expression of Apulian baroque. Our tour of Lecce will be graced by the artist Lucia Guarini, wife of Duke Guarini di Poggiardo, whose works can be viewed at the Bottega Artigiana Ocra. We will have some time to stroll through the winding streets of the historic center, dotted with interesting and beautiful shops.
We will have time to recover for an independent lunch in Otranto, a small, magnificent, port town, famed for its beautiful turquoise sea before the last of our “official” wine tastings in Cellino San Marco. We will be guests of Cantina Due Palme, to savor their “due bicchieri” winners, Salice Salentino Selvarossa Riserva, Canonico 02 made exclusively from negroamaro grapes and Brindisi Rosso 01, made from a blend of negroamaro and malvasia nera.
But it’s not all! As a way to reward our stamina during this incredible journey, we will end our trip with a three night stay in Savelletri di Fasano at the incredibly stupendous Masseria San Domenico. All that could be imagined for complete relaxation, enjoyment and a touch of indulgence: sparkling private beach, 18 hole golf course, swimming pool, thalassotherapy, and spa treatments. Lunch will be independent to allow for use of the facilities at will. Dinners will be served at the Masseria’s excellent restaurant.
HOTELS: Bari: 2 Nights at the 4* Palace Hotel Conversano: 3 Nights 4* Corte Altavilla *Savelletri: 3 Nights 5* Masseria San Domenico, Resort, spa, thalasso, golf. (Also available as an optional extension)
Breakfast daily. Daily dinners and 5 lunches as indicated on the itinerary, including beverages and wines as chosen by ShopWineAndDine.
One facial and one massage at the Masseria San Domenico. Use of hotel spa facilities (green fees extra).
Wine tastings and visits to olive oil producers and masserie as indicated.
English speaking guide and private group transportation throughout.
Hotel taxes and service charges, tips to private guide and driver, departure taxes.
Day-by-day itinerary with detailed information on all the venues and price is available upon request. Please contact info@shopwineanddineitaly.com
Itinerary available at any other time of the year with minor modifications on the day of the featured festival.
NOT INCLUDED:
Meals and beverages not stated on itinerary or substitutions to menus.
Puglia or Apuglia as it is also known, stretching along miles of coastline along the Adriatic Sea, is being recognized as a premier wine producing region of Italy. In Bari, we will get the first glimpse of the elegance and sparkling beauty of this varied region. This beautiful city will afford us a great introduction to its age-old customs such as pasta-making in the narrow lanes of the historic center, the sounds and smells of meals being prepared in every home, the late night strolling along the waterfront by its inhabitants.
On Sunday, May 29, in celebration of the “Cantine Aperte” festival, all the wine producers of the region open their cellars for wine tastings and local festivities. This is a day when wine is king and everyone is happy to defer to its power. This so called “road to the wine” will take us to the DOC zone of Corato home of Azienda Vinicola Torrevento, producers of the highly regarded Castel del Monte Rosato, Bianco and Rosso. Their facilities are impressive and their cellars are reconstructed in the vaults on an ancient Benedictine monastery. An oenologist will illustrate the production process of their DOC wines, followed by brunch in their cellar. In the vicinity, we will admire the imposing beauty of Castle del Monte, a medieval manor commissioned by Frederick II of Svevia, considered a prime example of medieval art and protected by UNESCO as a Heritage of Humanity.
Following the “road to the wine” we will come upon other highly regarded wine producers: Masseria Monaci noted for their Le Braci and Aglianico del Vulture Sine Die wines; Leone de Castris whose historic estate dates back to the 17th. Century. Now under the able direction of Piernicola Leone de Castris, it was awarded the 2004 coveted Tre Bicchieri for its Salice Salentino Rosso Donna Lisa Riserva 2000. Among its other notable wines, the Five Roses whose rise to fame is part of the local lore; Cantine Borgo Canale who with a dynamic team at the helm has achieved high praises for their Divo and Locorotondo reds and DOC Talne`, a well rounded white wine made of Verdeca, Bianco D’Alessano and Fiano grapes; Cantine del Barsento, whose wines are not yet available in the United States, is run by a young and dynamic administration but is nonetheless steeped in traditional wine making methods. Their Malicchia Mapicchia is sure to become a sweet obsession for anyone lucky enough to drink it. By the end of our journey, after savoring Salice Salentino Rosso, Primitivo di Manduria, Aglianico del Vulture, Taras and Platone, it will be clear why Apuglia is one of the emerging, premier wine producing areas in the world.
Our hotel during this portion of our journey is the Corte Altavilla, ensconced in the heart of the ancient medieval town of Conversano. Beautifully and faithfully renovated, it retains the atmosphere and charm of its era while affording its guests a most comfortable stay. From this vantage point in Conversano, we will be within walking distance of the old town, leading us to the St. Benedict Monastery and Norman castle, home to masterpieces of 6th. Century court painter Paolo Finoglio, whose work includes the masterpiece “La Gerusalemme Liberata”. Our stay in the Conversano area will also take us for lunch at Agriturismo Montepaolo, a beautifully restored 16th. Century farmhouse, run with love, respect for the environment and the simple pleasure of providing the best in service and food that their land will provide.
The wonders do not end as we come upon another UNESCO protected town, the famed Alberobello. A town of unique beauty whose homes are built resembling round, white, dry-stone, domed structures known as “trulli”. These limestone structures whose origins date back to the 15th century as a tax evasion ploy, give the town an aura of clean, stark, white-washed beauty as the trulli gleam back in the sunlight.
We will have time to recover for an independent lunch in Otranto, a small, magnificent, port town, famed for its beautiful turquoise sea before the last of our “official” wine tastings in Cellino San Marco. We will be guests of Cantina Due Palme, to savor their “due bicchieri” winners, Salice Salentino Selvarossa Riserva, Canonico 02 made exclusively from negroamaro grapes and Brindisi Rosso 01, made from a blend of negroamaro and malvasia nera.