Puglia and Basilicata Wine Tour itinerary
(Please note: This is a sample itinerary. Each WINe tour is unique.)
7 DayS | 6 Nights
Start: Bari City Center (Exact Location TBD)
Finish: Two Stops - Bari Train Station + BARI (BRI) Airport
DAY ONE: Castel del monte + matera
We depart from a convenient meeting spot in Bari's city center for Castel del Monte, a commanding 13th-century castle, which is also the proud name of one of Puglia's prized wine regions. Following our visit to the castle, we will head to lunch at a stately winery in the area and be given a tour of their estate. Enjoy the wildflowers and olive groves out your window as we drive to Matera in Basilicata. After getting situated in our evocative hotel, we will meet for an evening stroll and dinner in this magical city.
Day Two: Matera + altramura
With a leisurely breakfast under our belts, we will be taken on a private walking tour of Matera. Learn of its ancient past and take photos of the remarkable views the city offers. Lunch will be at an osteria beloved by locals. In the afternoon, we will drive to Altamura where we will learn about their sought-after bread and make our dinner: homemade pasta with several sauces, focaccia, and of course the local wine.
Day Three: aglianico del vulture
Today, we pass the rolling green hills of Basilicata on our drive to Vulture in the northern part of the region. We will get to meet two star winemakers of the outstanding Aglianico produced here. Lunch will be served at one of the wineries. In the afternoon, we'll return to Matera, where you are free to take in the sunset, shop, enjoy an aperitivo and/ or rest. Dinner is on your own. We will provide you with a list of some of our favorite restaurants in the city.
Day Four: alberobello + itria valley
We say goodbye to Matera this morning, making our way to Gioia del Colle, an important wine appellation in Puglia. We will tour a special, family-run winery and then taste their wonderful wines paired with a lovely lunch al fresco. Our next stop is the enchanting town of Alberobello, famous for its dense village of conical huts called trulli. You'll have some free time to explore the town on your own and get your photography fix before we drive down the stunning Valle d'Itria—speckled with trulli and centenarian olive groves—to our elegant masseria (traditional Pugliese farmhouse) just outside of Ostuni. Enjoy the time to unpack and explore the grounds. Dinner will be served at the hotel.
Day Five: primitivo + manduria + ostuni
Enjoy an easy morning in the countryside, savoring every sip of your cappuccino while writing a postcard or two. We'll then head out to Manduria, the heart of Puglia's most esteemed wine and a close relative to Zinfandel—Primitivo. We'll walk the vineyards at one winery and be treated to a fabulous lunch overlooking the estate. Our next stop has perhaps the most respected winemaker in the area. It will be a treat to taste through his line of finely-crafted wines. Dinner tonight will be at a special restaurant in the "white city" of Ostuni.
Day Six: lecce
A trip to Puglia would not be complete without a visit to the Baroque city of Lecce. Marvel in the ornate architecture as we walk around with our guide. Lunch will be at a gastronomic gem in the historic center. We'll then head to a beautifully restored masseria that is home to a stellar winery in the province of Lecce. Kick your feet up back at the hotel or rest them poolside. Dinner will be in the nearby Locorotondo, another darling hilltop town in the Valle d'Itria.
Day Seven: polignano al mare
There will be some time to do any final packing before driving up the coast to Polignano al Mare, a gorgeous coastal city perched above the Adriatic Sea. Here we will enjoy a farewell lunch with exquisite seafood and toast to a fabulous trip together! Afterward, two stops will be made: the Bari BRI Airport and the train station.