The Excellence of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Salento Wines: A Tour of the Masserie

Salento is a land that captivates with its Mediterranean landscapes, wild coasts, and timeless villages. But there is another treasure that makes this part of Puglia an unmissable destination: the excellence of its food and wine products. Among these, extra virgin olive oil and Salento wines stand out as true expressions of the territory, the result of a millennia-old tradition. A journey through Salento’s masserie will allow you to discover authentic flavors, stories of passion, and ancient production techniques, immersing yourself in an unforgettable sensory experience.

The Green Gold of Salento: Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil is the symbol of Apulian agriculture. Here, among expanses of centuries-old olive trees, olive cultivation and oil production represent a true art passed down from generation to generation. The masserie of Salento house underground oil mills and modern olive presses where you can learn about every phase of the production process, from olive harvesting to cold pressing, which preserves all its organoleptic properties.

Among the most appreciated oils are those obtained from native cultivars such as Ogliarola Salentina and Cellina di Nardò, which offer a balanced and harmonious taste, perfect for enhancing Mediterranean cuisine. Visiting a masseria will give you the opportunity to taste different oils, learning to recognize their aromas, fruitiness, and the slight spiciness that characterizes a high-quality extra virgin olive oil.

Salento Wines: A Journey Through Vineyards and Wineries

Salento is also a land of great wines, thanks to a warm, sunny climate and mineral-rich soil that favors the cultivation of native grape varieties. Negroamaro and Primitivo are the two most renowned wine excellences of the region, authentic expressions of a winemaking tradition that dates back to Greco-Roman times.

Visiting wineries and vineyard masserie will allow you to discover how these extraordinary wines are made, from winemaking techniques to guided tastings in fascinating underground barrel cellars. Negroamaro is distinguished by its intense aroma and fruity notes, making it perfect for pairing with aged cheeses and meat dishes, while Primitivo, with its smooth and enveloping character, is ideal for enhancing the flavors of Salento’s culinary traditions.

An Experience to Live in the Masserie of Salento

The masserie of Salento are not just places of production but true oases of history, nature, and hospitality. Many of them organize tours and food and wine experiences that offer visitors the opportunity to stroll among olive groves and vineyards, participate in traditional cooking workshops, and taste local products in an authentic and relaxing atmosphere.

Some masserie also offer immersive experiences, such as olive harvesting or grape picking, allowing visitors to experience firsthand the deep connection between man and land.

A Journey Through the Flavors of Salento

A tour through Salento’s masserie to discover extra virgin olive oil and local wines is a journey that engages all the senses. Among centuries-old olive groves, historic wineries, and guided tastings, you will have the opportunity to get to know the gastronomic excellence of this extraordinary land up close. An experience that is not only a pleasure for the palate but also an authentic immersion into the culture and traditions of Salento, to be enjoyed with curiosity and at a leisurely pace.

By staying at EOS Hotel in Lecce, you can easily reach all the most important masserie in the region, making your food and wine experience even more convenient and enjoyable.