Puglia (Apulia) is Italy’s sun-soaked heel, and while it’s famous for olive oil, beaches, and trulli houses, it’s also one of the country’s largest wine-producing regions. With ancient vineyards, native grape varieties, and a wine culture that goes back to the Greeks, wine in Puglia is something every traveller should experience.
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👉 If you’re in a rush, scroll straight to the Quick Cheat Sheet just below – a snapshot of what to expect from each grape and style of wine in Puglia.
I’ve travelled solo through Puglia several times, and every trip involved a fair share of wine tastings. This guide will help you navigate the region’s grapes, wines, and best wineries to visit – plus a few tips on tours, festivals, and where to taste.
Quick Cheat Sheet for Tasting ?
Here’s a handy guide you can screenshot before heading on a wine tour:
🍷 Primitivo – Bold, jammy, spicy – perfect with steak or roast meats.
🍷 Negroamaro – Earthy, dry, with liquorice and cherry – pairs with pasta and veggies.
🍷 Nero di Troia – Structured, tannic, peppery – great with aged cheese.
🍷 Susumaniello – Dark fruit, chocolatey notes – delicious with lamb.
🥂 Verdeca – Crisp, citrusy – ideal with seafood.
🥂 Fiano – Round, pear and honey – nice with chicken or creamy pasta.
🌸 Rosato (Primitivo/Negroamaro) – Fresh, fruity, sip with antipasti or pizza.
Now that you’ve seen the quick overview, let’s dive deeper into the different wine styles you’ll find across the region – from bold reds to crisp whites and refreshing rosés.
Red Wine in Puglia 🍷
When it comes to red wine in Puglia, bold and full-bodied is the theme.
Here are the stars:
Primitivo – DNA twin of California’s Zinfandel. Think dark fruit, spice, and high alcohol. Best with hearty meat dishes.
Negroamaro – Grown mainly in Salento. Deep ruby, slightly bitter, with cherry, liquorice, and tobacco notes. Makes both reds and excellent rosés.
Nero di Troia – The north’s noble grape. Expect blackcurrant, pepper, and leather.
Susumaniello – Once rare, now trendy. Peppery, plummy, with hints of dark chocolate.
Malvasia Nera – Often blended with Negroamaro for balance.
Bombino Nero – A Castel del Monte grape, light and fruity, often used for rosés.
Others – Sangiovese, Montepulciano, and Aglianico also appear in blends.
White Wine in Puglia 🤍
Though reds dominate, white wine in Puglia is gaining recognition:
Verdeca – Crisp, citrusy, and herbal. The star of Locorotondo DOC.
Fiano – Pear, honey, and a fuller body.
Bombino Bianco – Minerality, apricot, and tropical hints.
Bianco d’Alessano – Creamy, delicate pear/apple flavours.
Minutolo – Fresh melon, herbs, and fennel.
Others – Chardonnay, Trebbiano, and Malvasia also feature.
Rosé Wine in Puglia 🌸
Don’t skip rosé wine in Puglia! On a hot summer evening, it’s perfect:
Falanghina Rosato – Peachy, fresh, easy drinking.
Primitivo di Manduria Rosato – Fruity with cherry and raspberry.
Negroamaro Rosato – Strawberry, raspberry, a little more body.
DOC & DOCG Zones 🏅
Wine in Puglia is officially recognised with 28 DOC zones and 4 DOCG wines. But what does that mean?
DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) – Wines made in a specific area under strict rules for grape varieties and production methods.
DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) – The highest quality classification, with even stricter controls and guaranteed standards.
Examples include Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale DOCG and Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG.
Best Wineries in Puglia 🏡🍇
Here’s a taste of where to sip the best wine in Puglia:
1. Salento Region
Cantele (Guagnano) – Try the Negroamaro and Rohesia.
Tormaresca (San Pietro Vernotico) – Aglianico and Fiano standouts.
Masseria Li Veli (Cellino San Marco) – Great Primitivo and Fiano.
Tenute Rubino (Brindisi) – Susumaniello specialists.
Castello Monaci (San Pancrazio Salentino) – Known for Primitivo.
2. Valle d’Itria
I Pastini (Locorotondo) – Verdeca blends and Susumaniello.
Cardone (Locorotondo) – Great Primitivo and crisp whites.
Terre di San Vito (Polignano a Mare) – Try their Bombino Nero.
3. Taranto & Manduria
Feudi di San Marzano (San Marzano) – Famous for Sessantanni Primitivo.
Consorzio Produttori Vini (Manduria) – Heritage producers.
Varvaglione (Leporano) – Top-quality Primitivo di Manduria.
Cantine Gianfranco Fino (Manduria) – Cult favourite “Es” Primitivo.
4. Bari Area
Cantine Torrevento (Corato) – Nero di Troia and Moscato di Trani.
Cantine Polvanera (Gioia del Colle) – Primitivo specialists.
Tenute Chiaromonte (Acquaviva delle Fonti) – Primitivo & Moscato.
Wine Tours in Puglia 🎟️
Want to experience wine in Puglia without driving? Join a guided tour. Here are some top-rated ones:
🎟️ Primitivo & Negroamaro tour with lunch (from Lecce).
🎟️ Itria Valley trulli + masseria wine tasting (from Ostuni).
🎟️Wine tasting near Trani (from Bari).
🎟️ Salento cellar-hopping tour (from Lecce).
🎟️ Wine museum & tasting in Altamura.
✨ I usually book via Viator or GetYourGuide.
Winery Map of Puglia 🗺️
To make planning easier, here’s a map of recommended wineries in Puglia. You can click on each pin for details, or save the map to your Google account for later use.
FAQs about Wine in Puglia 💡
Primitivo, Negroamaro, and Nero di Troia are the stars, but you’ll also find hidden gems like Susumaniello and Minutolo.
It’s possible, but public transport is limited in rural areas. The easiest option is to rent a car or book a guided wine tour with hotel pickup.
The hot Mediterranean climate creates bold reds, while cool sea breezes balance the acidity. This results in rich, fruity wines that are both powerful and food-friendly.
Yes! Look out for the Primitivo Wine Festival in Manduria, the Negroamaro Festival in Salento, and the Salice Salentino celebrations. They’re fantastic for tastings, live music, and local food pairings.
Many Puglian wineries export worldwide. Look for Primitivo di Manduria, Salice Salentino, or even lesser-known Susumaniello in specialist wine shops.
Yes – several producers list their wines on Amazon, making it easy to sample authentic bottles at home. Popular options include Primitivo, Negroamaro, Malvasia, and Verdeca.
Final Thoughts on Wine in Puglia ✨
From bold Primitivo reds to crisp Verdeca whites and refreshing rosatos, wine in Puglia is as diverse as its landscapes.
Whether you’re sipping in a rustic masseria or exploring historic cellars, you’ll discover that wine here is more than a drink – it’s part of the region’s soul.
Related Reading 📚
If you enjoyed this guide to wine in Puglia, you might also like:
🍝 Food in Puglia: 15 Delicious Dishes.
🥟 A Street Food Tour in Bari.
🍷 15 Best Alberobello restaurants.
🗓️ The Perfect 14 Day Puglia Itinerary.
📌 Pinterest: Save This Guide to Wine in Puglia
👉 Looking for practical travel tools? Check out my Travel Resources page.
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