In this ultimate guide to wine in Puglia, I will describe the different grapes used to make red wines, white wines and rosé wines in Puglia. I’ll introduce you to all the best wines from Puglia and also list all of the best wineries in Puglia by region.
Puglia, also known as Apulia, is a region located in southern Italy, and is well-known for its wines. I have travelled solo through this region of Italy several times; my most recent visit being in April 2023.
The region has a long history of winemaking, dating back to the ancient Greeks, who first introduced vines to the area. Today, Puglia is one of the largest wine-producing regions in Italy, with a wide range of grape varieties and styles of wine.
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Wine in Puglia – Introduction.
One of the most important grape varieties grown in Puglia is Primitivo, which is known for producing rich and full-bodied red wines. Primitivo is believed to be related to Zinfandel, which is grown extensively in California. Puglia also produces red wines from Negroamaro, a grape that produces deeply coloured and tannic wines with flavours of dark fruit and spice.
White wines are also produced in Puglia, with the most important grape variety being Verdeca. Verdeca is a high-acid grape that produces fresh and crisp white wines with flavours of citrus and green apple. Other white grape varieties grown in Puglia include Fiano and Falanghina.
Puglia also produces rosé wines, which are sometimes (but not always) made from a blend of red and white grape varieties. These wines are light and refreshing, with flavours of red fruit and a hint of acidity.
Some of the most famous wine regions in Puglia include Salento, which is known for its full-bodied red wines made from Primitivo and Negroamaro, and Castel del Monte, which is known for its elegant red wines made from Aglianico.
Wine in Puglia – a guide.
I have split this guide into six sections about wine in Puglia. You can use the table of contents above, or the quick links below to navigate straight to a particular section.
- Red wine in Puglia
- White wine in Puglia
- Rosé wine in Puglia
- Best wineries in Puglia
- DOC Zones in Puglia
- Wine tours in Puglia
I have also included a map of wineries in Puglia and common FAQs about wine in Puglia at the end of the article.
Further reading: Ultimate Puglia Travel Guide.
1. Red wine in Puglia – grape varieties.
Puglia’s warm, dry climate and fertile soil provide the ideal conditions for growing high-quality grapes, making it one of Italy’s top wine-producing regions. From full-bodied and rich Primitivo to lighter and fruitier Negroamaro, red wine in Puglia is diverse and flavourful, reflecting the region’s unique terroir and winemaking traditions.
Primitivo
Primitivo is a full-bodied red wine with aromas of dark fruit and spices. It pairs well with food like roast pork and red meat. Early-ripening Primitivo is cultivated in the centre-north of Puglia and produces full-bodied, high-alcohol wines. The bouquet is composed of fruity hits of cherry, a spicy sourness, distinct violet tones, and well-balanced tannins. Primitivo shares its DNA with California’s Zinfandel varietal.
Nero di Troia
Nero di Troia (previously known as Uva di Troia) is known as the king of red grapes in the north of Puglia. Wines are made in purezza (meaning ‘purity’) or with the addition of other grapes, including Montepulciano, Negroamaro, and Primitivo. Expect blackcurrant and black pepper, a spicy finish, and hints of tobacco and leather.
Negroamaro
Negroamaro is a deep ruby-red wine that’s grown mostly in the south of Puglia. It has aromas of black cherry and raspberry, and pairs well with pasta dishes or roasted vegetables. Unique to Puglia, Negroamaro produces some of Salento’s most distinctive wines. With a hint of bitterness, Negroamaro is blended with up to 20% of Malvasia Nera di Lecce, and produces aromas of dark berries and cherries, liquorice, tobacco, and pepper. It also makes excellent rosé.
Further reading: Food from Puglia: 78 Delicious Pugliese Dishes To Try
Malvasia Nero
Puglia’s Malvasia Nero family, including di Brindisi and di Lecce, is mostly added to Negroamaro to provide balance and extra character. Purezza wines produce rich, intense wines imbued with the summer heat of Salento.
Bombino Nero
Associated with the Castel del Monte area (the castle itself being surrounded by vineyards), Bombino Nero produces light, soft, fruity reds, and excellent rosés.
Susumaniello
One of the rarest grape varieties globally, Susumaniello, is increasingly popular in Puglia. Historically it has been blended with Negroamaro, but more recently it has been produced as a single variety. The best single varietal Susumaniello wines are peppery and plummy, with a hint of dark chocolate.
Non-Puglian Red Varieties
Sangiovese, Montepulciano, and Aglianico are the three non-native grapes grown in Puglia. The first two add balance to the region’s indigenous varietals, while Aglianico, increasingly popular in the north of Puglia, is used to make well-balanced, delicate, and dry wines in purezza.
2. White wine in Puglia – grape varieties.
The Puglia region is known for producing bold red wines, but it is also home to a growing number of white wine producers. From crisp, refreshing whites to complex, barrel-aged blends, white wines in Puglia are gaining recognition among wine enthusiasts around the world.
Verdeca
Verdeca is a light-bodied white wine that’s grown in the region of Puglia. It has aromas of citrus and herbs, and pairs well with food like fish or salads. Verdeca is my personal favourite white wine of the region.
Verdeca provides the baseline for many of Puglia’s best white wines, including the much-loved Locorotondo DOC (blended with several other white grapes). At its best, single varietal Verdeca wines are rich, golden, and herbal but with a counterbalance of acidity.
Further reading: Your Ultimate Guide to visiting Alberobello.
Bianco di Troia
Bianco di Troia is a crisp, white wine that’s grown in the region of Puglia. It has notes of citrus and herbs, and pairs well with fish or poultry dishes.
Greco di Tufo
Greco di Tufo is a light-bodied white wine that’s grown in the region of Puglia. It has aromas of pear and apricot, and pairs well with seafood or cheese plates.
Fiano di Avellino.
Fiano di Avellino is a full-bodied white wine that’s grown in the region of Puglia. It has notes of pear and honey, and pairs well with seafood or poultry dishes. It’s also delicious on its own.
Bombino Bianco
Increasingly receiving more attention from winemakers, Bombino Bianco’s best single varietal vintages express intense minerality balanced by apricot roundness and hints of zesty tropical fruit.
Bianco d’Alessano
As a blending grape, Bianco d’Alessano offers creaminess and soft hints of pear and apple. On its own, it produces fragrant, clean, and refined wines suited to delicately flavoured dishes. This is another grape which is growing in popularity throughout the Puglia region.
Malvasia
Malvasia is a sweet, white wine that’s grown in Puglia. It has notes of honey and apricot, and pairs well with desserts like ricotta cake or ice cream.
Minutolo
Long believed to be related to Fiano, Minutolo had previously been disregarded in popular Pugliese culture until recent years, when it experienced a bit of a resurrection. The grape offers soft melony freshness, good acidity, herbal aromatics, and a delicate hint of fennel.
Non-Puglian White Varieties
International grape varieties, such as Chardonnay, are grown in Puglia, but most non-indigenous white varietals hail from elsewhere in Italy. These include various versions of Trebbiano, Fiano, Malvasia, and Grillo from Sicily.
Further reading: 14 Beautiful Towns in Puglia, Italy.
3. Rosé wine in Puglia.
People often forget rosé wines when talking about wine in Puglia. In fact Puglia’s rosé wines are a delightful hidden gem. They are characterised by their crispness, fruitiness, and lightness, making them a refreshing choice for warm summer days.
Primitivo di Manduria
Primitivo di Manduria is a light-bodied, fruity rosé wine that’s grown in the region of Puglia. It has notes of cherry and raspberry, and pairs well with lighter dishes like seafood or salads. This one is also excellent with cheese and bread, as you can see below!
Negroamaro rosato
Negroamaro rosato is a medium-bodied, fruity rosé wine that’s grown in the region of Puglia. It has notes of strawberry and raspberry, and pairs well with grilled meats or vegetable dishes.
Falanghina Del Salento
Falanghina del Salento is a light-bodied, fruity rosé wine that’s grown in the region of Puglia. It has aromas of melon and peach, and pairs well with fish or cheese plates.
Aglianico del Vulture
Not quite technically wine in Puglia, Aglianico del Vulture is a full-bodied red wine grown in the region of Basilicata (the region next to Puglia). It has aromas of dark fruit and spices, and pairs well with game meats like wild boar or rabbit.
4. Wineries in Puglia.
Puglia is home to numerous wineries and vineyards, each with its unique history, style, and production methods. In this section, I will recommend some of the best wineries and vineyards in Puglia, highlighting the best wines to drink at each one.
For each region, I will list the name of the winery with a link to their website, followed by the location in brackets. Then I will suggest recommended wines to try at each winery, along with grape varietal percentage.
Wineries in the Salento region.
Cantele (Guagnano). Wines to try: Negroamaro (Negroamaro 100%); Rohesia (Negroamaro 100%).
Tormaresca (San Pietro Vernotico). Wines to try: Bocca di lupo (Aglianico 100%); Roycello (Fiano di Puglia 100%).
Duca Guarini (Scorrano). Wines to try: Piccole Bolle (Negroamaro 100%); 900 Negroamaro (Negroamaro 100%).
Cantine Menhir (Bagnolo). Wines to try: N. Zero (Susumaniello and Negroamaro blend); Physis (Grillo 100%); CalaMuri (Primitivo 100%).
Masseria Li Veli (Cellino San Marco). Wines to try: Passamante Salice Salentino (Negroamaro 100%); Torremossa Salento (Fiano 100%); Askos (Primitivo 100%).
Tenute Rubino (Brindisi). Wines to try: TorreTesta (Susumaniello 100%); Sumarè (Susumaniello 100%).
Castello Monaci (San Pancrazio Salentino). Wines to try: Piluna (Primitivo 100%); Maru (Negroamaro 100%).
Azienda Agricola Vallone (Lecce). Wines to try: Graticciaia (Negroamaro 100%); Versante Rosato (Negroamaro 100%).
Cantine Cosimo Taurino (Guagnano). Wines to try: Patriglione (Negroamaro 100%); Sunrise (Moscatello Selvatico 100%)
Azienda Vinicola Leone de Castris (Salice Salentino). Wines to try: Per Lui (Primitivo 100%); Donna Lisa (Malvasia Bianca 100%).
Schola Sarmenti (Nardò). Wines to try: Diciotto (Primitivo 100%); Antieri Rosè (Susumaniello 100%)
Severino Garofano, Tenuta Li Monaci (Copertino). Wines to try: Le Braci (Negroamaro 100%); Girofle (Negroamaro 100%).
Wineries in Valle d’Itria.
Masseria Croce Piccola (Martina Franca). Wines to try: Somarello (Susumaniello 100%); Morello (Susumaniello 100%)
Terre di San Vito (Polignano). Wines to try: Il Vescovo (Malbec 70%, Cabernet Sauvignon 30%); Mosì (Bombino Nero 100%)
I Pastini (Locorotondo). Wines to try: Antico Locorotondo DOP (Verdeca 60%, Bianco d’Alessano 35%, Minutolo 5%); Le Rotaie (Susumaniello 100%).
Azienda Vinicola Cardone (Locorotondo). Wines to try: Archita (Primitivo 100%); Verdeca (Verdeca 100%).
Wineries in the Taranto area.
Azienda Vinicola Vetrere (Montemesola). Wines to try: Kemelios (Negroamaro and Malvasia blend); Minù (Minutolo 100%).
Biological Farm Masseria Amastuola (Crispiano). Wines to try: Ondarosa (Aglianico 100%); Bialento (Malvasia 75%, Fiano 25%).
Azienda Varvaglion (Leporano). Wines to try: Primitivo di Manduria 2016 (Primitivo 100%); Cosimo Varvaglione Collezione Privata (Negroamaro 100%); Chicca Dolce Naturale (Primitivo 100%).
Antica Masseria Jorche (Torricella). Wines to try: Lo Apu (Primitivo 100%)l Naghiro (Fiano del Salento 100%).
Feudi di San Marzano (San Marzano). Wines to try: Tramari Rosè (Primitivo 100%); Sessantanni (Primitivo 100%)
Consorzio Produttori Vini (Manduria). Wines to try: Madrigale (Primitivo 100%); Sonetto (Primitivo 100%).
Cantine Gianfranco Fino (Manduria). Wines to try: Es (Primitivo 100%); Jo (Negroamaro 100%).
Agricola Felline (Manduria). Wines to try: Giravolta (Primitivo 100%); Malvasia Nera (Malvasia Nera 100%).
Tenute Emera (Lizzano). Wines to try: Anima (Chardonnay 100%); Amure (Fiano di Puglia 100%).
Feudi Salentini (Leporano). Wines to try: Philza Dolce Naturale (Primitivo 100%); CA’LA (Verdeca 100%).
Wineries in the Bari area.
Cantine Polvanera (Gioia del Colle). Wines to try: Bianco d’Alessano (Bianco d’Alessano 100%); Rosato (Aleatico 40%, Primitivo 30%, Aglianico 30%).
Azienda Agricola Santa Lucia (Castel del Monte). Wines to try: Vigna del Melograno (Nero di Troia 100%).
Tenute Chiaromonte (Acquaviva delle Fonti). Wines to try: Primitivo Gioia del Colle ‘Muro Sant’Angelo Contrada Barbatto’ 2017 (Primitivo 100%); Kimìa Moscato (Moscato 100%).
Terre dei Vaaz (Sammichele di Bari). Wines to try: Onirico 2017 (Primitivo 100%); Rem Rosé (Primitivo 100%).
Cantine Torrevento (Corato). Wines to try: Ottagono (Nero di Troia 100%); Dulcis in Fundo Moscato di Trani (Moscato Reale di Trani 100%).
Giancarlo Ceci (Andria). Wines to try: Felice Ceci 2015 (Nero di Troia 100%); Dolce Rosalia (Moscato Bianco).
5. DOC Zones in Puglia
Puglia has 28 DOC zones and 4 DOCG zones.
There are 28 zones that are classified as DOC (Denominazioni di Origine Controllata): Aleatico di Puglia, Alezio, Barletta, Brindisi, Cacc’e mmitte di Lucera, Castel del Monte, Colline Joniche Tarantine, Copertino, Galatina, Gioia del Colle, Gravina, Leverano, Lizzano, Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Matino, Moscato di Trani, Nardò, Negroamaro di Terra d’Otranto, Orta Nova, Ostuni, Primitivo di Manduria, Rosso di Cerignola, Salice Salentino, San Severo, Squinzano, Tavoliere delle Puglie or Tavoliere, and Terra d’Otranto.
There are 4 DOCG (Denominazioni di Origine Controllata e Garantita) classifications: Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale, Castel del Monte Bombino Nero, Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva, and Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva.
5. Wine tours in Puglia
From small, family-owned farms to large, modern wineries, Puglia has a tour to offer for every wine lover. Here are my recommendations for top-rated wine tours in Puglia on Viator:
Primitivo and Negroamaro wine tour with lunch. Top rated wine in Puglia tour from Lecce with hotel pickup and lunch.
Private wine tour with lunch. See the trulli of the Itria Valley and visit a masseria plus a contemporary cellar for wine tastings. Pickup from Ostuni and the local area.
Wine tasting in the Apulian countryside. Visit a cellar near Trani and see the beautiful countryside. Wine tasting (4 wines), olive oil and nibbles included. Pickup from Bari.
Guided tour and tasting at La Cantina Frrud – Wine Museum. A visit to the wine museum in Altamura with tastings and nibbles included. A great way to learn about wine in Puglia.
Tour of the best cellars in Salento. A visit to three cellars with tastings and bites. Meeting point in Lecce.
I always use Viator for my tours, but you might prefer Get Your Guide instead.
Map of wineries in Puglia.
This map shows all of the wineries in Puglia as listed above. Click on individual pins for more information. You can also click the star icon to add to your own google maps.
FAQs about wine in Puglia.
Q. What is the history of wine production in Puglia?
A. Wine has been produced in Puglia since ancient times, with evidence of grape cultivation and winemaking dating back to the Greek and Roman periods. Puglia has a long tradition of winemaking and is known for producing a wide variety of high-quality wines.
Q. What are the most famous grape varieties grown in Puglia?
A. Puglia is known for its unique and diverse grape varieties. Some of the most famous ones include Negroamaro, Primitivo, Nero di Troia, Malvasia Nera, and Bombino Bianco.
Q. What are the best wine regions in Puglia?
A. Some of the best wine regions in Puglia include the Salento peninsula, the Valle d’Itria, and the Manduria area. Each Puglia wine region produces different white grape and red grape varieties.
Q. What types of wines are produced in Puglia?
A. Puglia is known for producing a wide variety of wines, including red, white, and rosé wines. Some of the main grapes producing the best wine in Puglia include Primitivo di Manduria, Negroamaro, and Salice Salentino.
Q. What makes Puglian wines unique?
A. Puglia’s climate and soil conditions make its wines unique. The region has a Mediterranean climate, with warm, sunny days and cool, breezy nights, which helps to produce wines with a perfect balance of fruitiness and acidity. Additionally, Puglia’s red wines are known for their high alcohol content and intense flavour.
Q. What are some of the best wineries to visit in Puglia?
A. See section 4 above. Puglia is home to many excellent wineries and vineyards. Some of the best ones to visit include Cantine Polvanera, Feudi di San Marzano, and Azienda Vinicola Vetrere.
Q. Are there any wine festivals in Puglia?
A. Yes, Puglia is home to many wine festivals throughout the year, such as the Primitivo Wine Festival, the Negroamaro Wine Festival, and the Salice Salentino Wine Festival. These festivals offer visitors a chance to taste and learn about Puglia’s unique wines and winemaking traditions.
Q. Can I buy Puglian wines outside of Italy?
A. Yes, many Puglian wines are exported and can be found in wine shops and restaurants around the world. You can also buy genuine wines from Puglia on Amazon! Here are some Amazon links for wine in Puglia: Primitivo wine on Amazon, Negroamara wine on Amazon, Malvasia wine on Amazon and Verdeca wine on Amazon. Or have a look at all Puglian wine on Amazon.
Where to stay in Puglia.
To help you decide where to stay in Puglia, I recommend you read my guide to the best towns in Puglia first.
Once you have decided where you want to base yourself, you can use these quick links below to check availability and pricing. These links will get you the best rate on Booking.com today.
Book hotels in Alberobello | Book hotels in Bari | Book hotels in Brindisi | Book hotels in Cisternino | Book hotels in Gallipoli | Book hotels in Lecce | Book hotels in Locorotondo | Book hotels in Martina Franca | Book hotels in Matera | Book hotels in Monopoli | Book hotels in Ostuni | Book hotels in Otranto | Book hotels in Polignano a Mare | Book hotels in Trani | See all hotels in Puglia.
You can also use the map below to see hotels by region:
Booking.comWine in Puglia: conclusion.
In conclusion, Puglia is a wine lover’s paradise, with an abundance of wineries and vineyards producing some of the best wines in Italy.
From the rich red fruits of the full-bodied Primitivo to the refreshing and fruity Rosé, Puglia has a wine for every palate. Whether you are a seasoned wine connoisseur or a casual wine lover, a visit to the wineries and vineyards in Puglia is an experience not to be missed.
With its picturesque landscapes, charming towns, and warm hospitality, Puglia offers a unique and unforgettable wine-tasting experience that is sure to leave you with a newfound appreciation for Italian wine.
Thank you for reading my guide to wine in Puglia. I hope it has helped you plan your trip to the region.
Related reading about food and wine in Puglia:
- 78 Delicious Pugliese Dishes to Try in South Italy
- A Street Food Tour in Bari
- 15 Best Alberobello restaurants, cafes, pizzerias, bakeries and wine bars.
- Guide to wine from Puglia + best wineries.
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Related reading: wine in Puglia
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Tags: Europe, Italy, Puglia, Vineyards, Wine, Wineries
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