Visit And Discover The Best Olive Oil Mills In Apulia

Behind every corner of Italy are hidden incredible landscapes, museums and places of interest rich in culture and history and, last but not least, a culinary tradition spread throughout Italy and that has a lot to offer. Visiting will be a unique, immersive experience made all the more complete and fulfilling if you can find the time to do a little bit of everything, from sightseeing, to taking part in celebrations, festivals and art exhibitions, to tasting true Italian cuisine.
You can do that by dining out in restaurants and local trattorie, or you can go to the source, visiting the places where certain dishes, ingredients and produce are made and processed before they’re served at your table, with interesting workshops and tasting experiences.
When you decide to visit Apulia, or Puglia in Italian, there are a lot of things to take into consideration – what to see, which cities to visit, what to try, taste and experience while you’re here, and so on. One of the local productions throughout Puglia is olive oil, so there are many chances for you to visit the best oil mills in the region (and the country) and see first-hand how the oil is made, where and with what results, no matter the city you choose to spend your holiday in. Important oil mills can be found near Taranto, Bari and other major cities of the region and all of them are known for producing EVO oil of the highest quality. Visiting the mills is the best way to find oil to purchase and sample directly from those who have been producing it for generations in a pure, unadulterated way that will surely turn your holiday to Puglia into an immersive experience.
Olive oil production is an Italian tradition, the country being one of the main producers of oil in the world, second only to Spain, and while there are many regions in Italy where extra virgin olive oil is produced, Puglia earns the spot as the biggest producer. Here are some of the best oil mills in Apulia where you can discover this tradition – by visiting the groves, buildings, production line and shops where olives are elevated to the rank of EVO oil.

Frantoio di Palma

The Frantoio Oleario di Palma, an oil mill established in 1936 and located in Canosa di Puglia, prides itself for the production of what they call their “yellow gold”, the extra virgin olive oil they obtained with a traditional cold-extraction method, the same the di Palma family has always employed to grind the olives. The method allows the final product to maintain its properties, texture, taste and aroma. The oil mill can be visited all year-round and during the period from November to January visitors can witness the production of the extra virgin olive oil. Directions to the mill can be found on the website www.frantoiodipalma.it.

Frantoio D’Erchie

Located in Montemesola, a city near Taranto, this oil mill finds its roots and inspiration in the very region that hosts it, and the olive groves that grow here. The raw olives are the muses and protagonists for the EVO Olio D’Erchie and the mill pays homage to the local artisanal tradition with ceramic bottles and containers for the oils it produces. Oil milling is a family tradition for this company, established in 1932 by the current owner’s grandfather, Ciro D’Erchie, and the Frantoio D’Erchie now offers a wide variety of oils. Contact information on the website www.olioderchie.com/contatti.

Frantoio Galantino

The Frantoio Galantino was established in 1926 and has grown ever since, sourcing its olives from the family olive groves and other trusted partners of the area to achieve the purest cold-pressed EVO oil of the highest quality. Located in Bisceglie, the Galantino brand includes the oil mill, a shop and a restaurant (closed on Tuesdays, open for lunch Mon-Sun and for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays). The oil mill offers tours and tastings in Italian, English and French and tourists can witness the production process and ask for an additional meal following their visit. A pamphlet and booking information can be found at www.galantino.it/visits/?lang=en.

Frantoio Bitetti.

Located in Ginosa, near Taranto, the Frantoio Bitetti is a family owned oil mill with a three-generation tradition of oil making that merges old and new techniques and technologies to achieve a high-quality EVO oil through cold-pressing of the finest olives harvested from November to January. The mill offers guided tours where visitors will see the production process, from harvest to bottling, and will have a chance to taste samples and purchase the oil, which comes in the classic extra virgin format as well as naturally infused oils (lemon, rosemary and chili pepper oil). More info can be requested and tours can be booked on the mill’s contact page www.frantoiobitetti.it/Contatti.aspx.

Best Wineries in Puglia for Touring and Tasting

Puglia, Italy, is known to be home to the best and finest wines in the world today. This is owing to the beautiful climate that Puglia is so much blessed to have. Some of the best wineries in Puglia include the following:

1. The Azienda Agricola Masciulli

2. Cantine di Marco

3. Sarolo

4. Tenuta Girolamo.

These wineries are not only famous for growing their delicious and tasty wines, but also for being award winners globally.

1. The Azienda Agricola Masciulli

The Azienda Agricola Masciulli was started by the Masciulli family in 1975. The family stuck to its long-standing tradition of growing grapes and processing wine for decades. The Azienda winery is located in the heart of Trulli in Puglia. The location of the vineyards allows the grapes to get to the required level of maturity owing to the great climatic conditions.

The company ensures that the wine produced is quality and owes much value in keeping and maintaining the traditions of the family in producing the finest wines. The company uses the best technology in processing the wine, right from the grape picking to the bottling of the delicious wine.

The Azienda Agricola winery was recognized for its quality wines and was awarded the IGP Puglia mark, the Prisciu award in 2012 at the National Sca Prammaggiore, where the company won a gold medal.

Some of the fines wines that Azienda Agricola is known for include the White, the Rose, the Red, the Primitivo and the Prisciu wines. The winery is open daily from 10 am – 4 pm on Monday to Friday for tasting on advance booking.

2. Cantine Di Marco.

The Cantine Di Marco in Puglia boasts of the production of legendary wines through history. Some of the famous wines include-

Terre di Puglia-Primitivo di Manduria.

This particular wine is the pride of Puglia owing to its unique historical taste. It is made of pure primitivo grapes grown on the vast vineyards that have been in existence for more than 30 years. The wine is famous in most parts of Europe due to its sweet, dry but soft taste. Originally, the wine when bottled is red in color, but when it stays for some time, it changes to dark orange. The wine gets an even better taste with age.

Terre di Puglia- Rosato Salento

This is yet another brand produced by the Cantine Di Marco wineries. The Rose wine gives a sensational yet unique taste, flowering, dry and with very low alcoholic content that makes it just perfect. Situated in the Valle d’Itria in Cantine Di Marco, the vineyards have produced the finest rose wine for close to 30 years.

Other fine wine brands produced in Cantine Di Marco include; Martina Franca, Locortondo, Primitivo del Salento, Primitivo di Manduria, Salice Salento, Salice Salento Riservia, Negroamaro, Aglianico del Vulture, Brio, Brio Rose,Malvanegra, Malvenagra Rosato, Chardonnay, Tarie, Arcadia and Cortigiano wines.

3. Sarolo Wines.

The Sarolo wines, also popularly known as the Sarolo Don Carlo, is situated in the Valle d’Itria. The Sarolo began as a family enterprise and is currently owned by Marco Emilio Santory. He represents the 5th generation of the Santory family. The valley d’Itria has very good soil and climate as well.

The winery is located in the heart of the Murgia Hills of Southern Puglia. This is between the Adriatic and the Ionian coasts. The warm temperatures that range from 25-30 degrees by day and around 8 degrees by night is optimum weather that enhances notably the quality of the Sarolo wines.

The family tradition in the production of quality wine is upheld to date. The qualified staff handpick only ripe grapes that are then processed into fine, natural wine brands that are loved throughout Europe and the world as well.

4. Tenuta Girolamo.

Tenuta Girolamo is located in the middle of Itria Valley in Puglia. The legendary winery is owned by the Girolamo family. The vineyard stretches across 50 hectares of land and on it grows the finest grapes in Puglia. The Tenuta Girolamo is known for brands of wine that includes –

· Conte Giangirolamo, which is made up of an equal combination of Primitivo and Negroamaro grapes. It has intense ruby red color and also violet hues. The wine has a touch of fruity flavors like cherry, blackberry, very inviting scents of vanilla and chocolate as well.

· Red Lace, also called the Pizzo Rosso is made with pure primitivo grapes and is ruby red wine. It has a sensational dry taste that is uniquely velvety, smooth and persistence almost all at once. It is simply amazing.

· Monte Tre Carlini, made of pure Negroamaro grapes. It comes in intense ruby red with traces of violet hues. Monte Carlini has a dry taste that is soft and will linger on your taste buds for a while.

· Codalunga, made of pure aglianco grapes and is also the red wine that comes in fruity flavors of blackberry, plum, almond, etc. This wine has a dry taste that is tannic and persistent on the tongue as well, gives a sensational feeling.

· Monte dei Cocci, comes in various brands that are unique in taste, ranging from the Aglianico, Cabernet Sauvignon, the Syrah, Verdeca and Chardonnay as well.

· La Voliera is a tasty brand that was developed from a long tradition of coming together.

The Tenuta Girolamo gained more popularity after winning the Berlin Wine Trophy. The Company also won the Decanter Asia Wine awards and the Mundus Vini. This made the winery gain more popularity not only among the locals, but also from around the globe owing to their tasty wines that will leave your taste buds in awe.

The Tenuta Girolamo is usually open for tasting every day from Monday to Friday, starting from 10 am to 4 pm. In order to visit the winery, reservations need to be made in advance due to the busy schedule of activities going on at the winery. During the weekends, visits are only allowed when booked in advance and should be a minimum of 6 guests. The most amazing bit is that one can make a request to also visit the vineyards at no additional fee

Travelling To Salento? Here Are The Top 5 Things To Do In Brindisi

Visiting the Southern regions of Italy is a one-of-a-kind experience, with delicious foods, incredible sights and immersive activities. In the region of Apulia, specifically in the heel of Italy’s boot-shaped territory, lies a magical and interesting area: Salento.

Beautiful geographic features await you, but you’ll also find some of Apulia’s main cities by visiting the region of Salento. The best way to explore all Salento has to offer, is to choose a main city to use as a base for your travels, a starting point from where to visit other small towns and touristic sights.
While not being overly popular or a hugely renowned tourist destination, Brindisi stands as one of the most beautiful cities in lower Apulia, and its position will allow you to visit many neighboring locations with ease. Brindisi has lots of activities and sights to offer for anyone looking to visit the city as well as its surroundings, and staying here will mean you’ll have a lot of options to satisfy all of your needs.
There’s lots to do and see in Apulia, but we want to give you a few tips and suggest some things you might enjoy for a truly immersive journey in Salento, and for a great experience while exploring the city of Brindisi.

Take a stroll through marbled streets and enjoy the seafront
Brindisi itself has many beautiful locations that you can visit (between a meal and another!), as you stroll along the city’s streets all the way to the seafront. There are many incredible and impressive churches, dating from the 11th to the 14th century, such as the Duomo (the main cathedral of Brindisi), the Church of Santa Maria del Casale and that of San Benedetto as well as many others. But you can also visit other places that will amaze you, like the Aragonese Castle, also known as “Forte a Mare” (Sea Fort), and Castello Grande.
Within the territory of the city you can also find natural areas and Regional Natural Parks, if you want to enjoy the local flora and fauna. If you prefer to discover more of local history and culture, museums are in the city center.

Visit Torre Guaceto and go for a swim

#salento #puglia #apulia #torreguaceto #puntapenna #brindisi #italy #adriatic #mediterraneansea #southofitaly

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Of course visiting Apulia also means enjoying the sea, and to do just that you can rely on the marine reserve of Torre Guaceto. It’s a beautiful beach located in a protected area and you can go for a swim, go snorkeling, go on treks and hikes and take part in other activities that are being organized along the reserve. Remember to respect the environment, an you’ll have a wonderful time in one of the most beautiful beaches near Brindisi.

Eat local foods – like pizza fritta!

There are many traditional dishes and snacks that you can try while in Apulia and Brindisi, you just need to take a look around food stalls, bars and restaurants. Perhaps the best example of local cuisine is that of fried pizza (pizza fritta), which can be found around pizzerias in Brindisi.
One of the names that comes to mind when thinking about pizza fritta is the Pizzeria Romanelli, located in the city (Via Santa Lucia, 3 – Brindisi). With a long history in deep frying, this restaurant, established in 1949, also has a branched to the States, with a location in Houston, Texas. The pizzeria is also a good bet if you’re just looking to eat a great (regular) Italian pizza, but since you’re already here, you might as well go all out and sample your first (and perhaps best) pizza fritta ever!

Enjoy regional cuisine and explore new tastes

#braceria #puglia #brindisi #salento #bombette #bbq #meat #italy

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As already established, Apulia has great dishes and produce to offer. An excellent idea for a meal while in Brindisi would be to have a taste of great meat courses while enjoying Al Fresco seating.
The Braceria Semeraro offers a cozy and homely environment with a few tables inside the restaurant and a number of tables outside on the terrace. Book a table in advance if you’re able, because the place can get crowded. The Braceria is the lovechild of a butcher’s and a restaurant, where you choose the cuts you want to have, which will be cooked for you so that you’ll be able to enjoy them at your table. It accounts for a very unique experience, and there’s no menu, so be prepared to choose from the variety of different meats and cuts.

Visit nearby Ostuni by car rental

By renting a car, you’ll be able to visit many beautiful cities and locations not far from Brindisi, such as Ostuni. The city is full of tourists during summer, but you’ll still be able to enjoy the Old Town, Ostuni’s Cathedral and other landmarks.