The Best Wine & Food Tasting Tours in Puglia

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Best wine tours in Puglia

A photo of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Bike Tour in Puglia

Discover Puglia and learn the history of the region's olive oil with this half-day guided bike tour. Starting out from Montalbano you’ll reach the olive grove plain and the ancient Traiana ... See More

Group tour

English, Italian, Spanish

Half Day

from €40

A photo of Alberobello and Locorotondo Wine Tour

Join this half-day tour to discover Locorotondo and Alberobello by foot and enjoy amazing wines.Locorotondo is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and the circular shape of the histo... See More

Discover the cities of Locorotondo, Martina Franca and Cisternino in Itria Valley with this wine tour.The Itria Valley is a strip of the territory of Apulia that embraces the cities of Locor... See More

Discover Locorotondo and enjoy a wine tasting in the Itria Valley with this half-day tour. Locorotondo is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and the circular shape of the historic c... See More

Enjoy a day discovering Puglia's wine and gastronomic delights on this private tour near Ruvo di Puglia. Your morning will be dedicated to cheese! Visit a family-owned agriturismo where, ... See More

Discover the beautiful Itria Valley cycling your way from Locorotondo to an authentic winery for a wine tasting on this half-day, small group tour.The tour begins in the historic centre of L... See More

Why Visit Puglia?

The southern Italian region of Puglia, also known as Apulia, is idyllically situated between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. It’s a peaceful, rural region rich in culture and long-standing traditions, blessed with beautiful beaches and an abundance of local produce, most notably olives and (of course) grapes. Italy is not short of phenomenal wine regions, many of which are more well-known than humble Puglia. Yet it is, surprisingly, the second largest wine region in the country and an excellent place to visit on a wine tasting holiday.

WINE TASTING TOURS IN PUGLIA
Until recently Puglia’s contribution to the world of wine was quantity rather than quality, with the bulk of grapes harvested in the region being transported elsewhere to be used in blends. However, there are a handful of new, passionate winemakers working tirelessly to increase the quality and profile of Puglian wines. Learn more about Puglian wines by visiting local wineries on a guided wine tasting tour.

FOOD TASTING EXPERIENCES IN PUGLIA
Puglia’s picturesque landscape is awash with olive trees – around 60 million of them, growing over 50 different varieties! The region produces around 40% of Italy’s ‘liquid gold’. Learn more about Puglia’s history of olive oil production and sample some of the finest product on a cycling tour. Besides olives, other local gastronomic delights include Burrata cheese, Oricchiette pasta and bread from Altamura. Sample Puglia’s best local produce on a food tasting tour.

MORE REASONS TO VISIT PUGLIA
Puglia is dotted with charming villages and medieval towns such as Locorotondo, Ostuni and Lecce, where time seemingly stands still. Stroll the maze of narrow cobblestone streets and you will discover historic buildings, baroque churches, and tiny trattorias. Arguably the most picturesque town is Alberobello, which is home to thousands of ‘trulli’. These curious looking, conical, white-washed former dwellings boast UNESCO World Heritage status. Winerist can arrange private and group tours that intersperse wine tasting with cultural highlights.

WINERIST INSIDER TIP
Embrace the local’s leisurely pace of life. Puglia is not a region to be rushed around so don’t try and cram too much into each day.

Plan Your Visit

Best Known Grapes

Only certain grape varieties can sustain the summer heat and minimal rainfall experienced in Puglia, and these grapes are powerful red varieties. The most well-known grape variety grown in Puglia is an early-ripening Primitivo, which is interestingly the same as California’s Zinfandel and Croatia’s Crljenak Kaštelanski. These grapes produce big, bold, high-alcohol wines. One of the hardiest vines and consequently a popular, widely planted variety is Negroamaro. These dark-skinned grapes are full of colour and flavour, and typically blended with the softer Malvasia Nera grape. Other varieties grown in the region in smaller quantities include Nero di Troia, Bombino Nero and Montepulciano.

Best time to visit

Puglia’s Mediterranean climate means wine and food holidays can be enjoyed throughout the year. During the summer months of July and August the temperatures rise and can reach the mid 30°Cs inland. If you plan to visit Puglia in the summer, you may want to include day trips to the coast to cool off in the crystal-clear waters. And we can recommend private villas that feature their own swimming pool. Book in advance, as summer is a popular time to holiday in Puglia. The temperatures cool down in Puglia during the winter months however it never really gets too cold, and the winter is an enjoyable time to visit, with fewer tourists. In our opinion the best time to visit Puglia is during the spring and autumn months, when the landscape is at its most picturesque and the weather is favourable – not too hot, with minimal chance of rainfall. It’s perfect weather for exploring the countryside by bicycle and strolling through the region’s ancient towns such as Lecce and Gallipoli. If you’re keen to witness or even get involved in the grape and olive harvests, you’ll need to visit Puglia during the autumn months

How long to stay

The region of Puglia is fairly spread out, so we suggest that you spend a minimum of five days on a wine holiday in Puglia, although a week is ideal, and two weeks is even better! If you are holidaying in Puglia for less than a week, choose a base from which you can enjoy day experiences such as cycling tours, cooking classes and wine tastings. If you have more time you can fully immerse yourself in the region, splitting your time between two or three main cities, or, even better, taking a road trip.

How to get there

There are four airports in Puglia, however Brindisi and Bari airports are the main ones, operating regular international flights. Bari Palese airport is located in the north of the region (just west of the city of Bari) and Brindisi Casale airport is about 2.5 hours’ drive south, on the outskirts of Brindisi. It is also possible to reach Puglia by train. The national railway network connects Bari, Brindisi and Lecce with other Italian cities including Rome, Bologna and Milan. During your stay in Puglia the easiest way to get around is by car, as public transport is limited once you are out of the main urban areas. There are numerous car hire companies in the region and Winerist has a selection of self-drive packages which include car hire. Exploring by car also offers the opportunity to travel at your own pace and discover hidden coves and tiny villages that can only be found when journeying by car.

Puglia wine tasting tours and winery visits

Best wine tours in Puglia

Why Visit Puglia?

Plan Your Visit

Best Known Grapes

Best time to visit

How long to stay

How to get there

Puglia
wine tasting tours and winery visits