The Valle d’Itria is the heartland of  Apulian whites. Bianco d’Alessano and Verdeca are used here to create famous and delightful wines. The landscapes is dotted with the cone-shaped roofs of the “trulli”, which can be viewed from the beautiful panoramic towns of Locorotondo, Martina Franca and Cisternino. The white city of Ostuni with its terraced gardens around its encircling walls lies a few kilometres from a dense area of fortified farms and historic country manors. The wine-producing tradition here is in full revival thanks to the re-evaluation of rare native varieties like Impigno and Ottavianello. Susumaniello also deserves a mention – a black grape originally from Dalmatia which is also used unblended.
Messapia is an area with a rich history and culture, and is the homeland of Primitivo, an ancient native variety whose grapes mature at the end of August (hence the name meaning “early”). It produces a full-bodied red wine, with a lot of character and robust alcohol content. The area of production includes Manduria, Sava and Lizzano, and is characterised by age-old olive groves, vast fields of figtrees and ample vineyards, caressed by the gentle breezes from the Ionian Sea. The Primitivo vines are like small trees - some even 80 years old - and give of their best here, thanks to the ideal micro-climate. The famous Primitivo di Manduria Doc takes its name from this grape.