The scenic region of "Valle d´Itria" in central Puglia is famous for it fertile lands since the times of "Magna Grecia", the colonies founded by Greek cities all along the Mediterranean sea 2700 years ago.
Dotted with majestic centuries-old olive trees, juicy cherries and typical "trulli" stone huts, the valley is renowned for premium wines like Primitivo di Gioia del Colle, Verdeca, Fiano and many autochtonous grapes like the fruity Bianco di Alessano, Susumaniello, Minutolo which modern family-run wineries like "I Pastini" bring to levels of absolute excellence. Beside the classic DOP wines like "Locorotondo", they successfully create new variations as in the case of a blissful, fruity, refreshing rose´"Le Rotaie" , literally "train tracks", served in their elegant modern wine bar, a time-travel away from the magnificent 16th century stone farm which they utilise as visitor center for special guests.
Dotted with majestic centuries-old olive trees, juicy cherries and typical "trulli" stone huts, the valley is renowned for premium wines like Primitivo di Gioia del Colle, Verdeca, Fiano and many autochtonous grapes like the fruity Bianco di Alessano, Susumaniello, Minutolo which modern family-run wineries like "I Pastini" bring to levels of absolute excellence. Beside the classic DOP wines like "Locorotondo", they successfully create new variations as in the case of a blissful, fruity, refreshing rose´"Le Rotaie" , literally "train tracks", served in their elegant modern wine bar, a time-travel away from the magnificent 16th century stone farm which they utilise as visitor center for special guests.
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The new generation of wine makers leaned from their fathers the ancient techniques and applied state-of-the-art technologies in full respect of traditional methods, even bringing back to life (and to the bottles) variety of grapes which were almost extinct due to economic factors. It is not uncommon that a small-size family winery (we speak of a production of about 100.000 bottles per year) is able to produce a dozen of different wines, one for each hectare.
And as always happens with family-run farms, every tasting turns into a half-day feast with typical delicacies prepared by "mamma and "nonna" like "orecchiette" (fresh ear-shaped pasta typical of Puglia region) with meat rolls, home-made multi-layered focaccia, almond and cream pastries perfectly paired with red, white and sparkling wines.
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The visit to the vineyards of our friends of "Cardone vini classici" let us enjoy a magnificent location overlooking Locorotondo village, perched atop a hill with commanding views of Valle d´Itria and dozens, actually hundreds of ancient "trulli", often gathered in clusters around a central court with oven, staple and sometimes a simple chapel. The cooking class and wine tasting in the trulli will soon become a classic in our "Puglia Seafood Paradise" by Cook & Meet!
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