Olive Oil Tasting in Ancient Ostuni Masseria

In the peaceful countryside near Ostuni, where the red earth meets the silvery green of ancient olive trees, a timeless masseria invites you to experience the soul of Puglia through its most precious gift: extra virgin olive oil.

This 16th-century farmhouse, surrounded by monumental trees and located in the heart of the Coastal Dunes Regional Park, has been lovingly restored into a place where tradition and research meet. For centuries, it was a rural estate. Today, it’s a haven for travelers seeking depth, authenticity, and flavor.

Your 60-minute experience begins with a guided tour of the masseria, including the charming courtyard, the historic rooms, and the hypogeum olive press, carved deep into the rock and once used for pressing olives in the cool shadows of the earth. As you walk through the millenary olive grove, you’ll discover trees older than nations, each one a monument of nature, and hear the stories behind their preservation and care.

You’ll learn about the history of olive oil in Puglia, from ancient Roman techniques to modern organic cultivation. The estate uses sustainable, respectful harvesting methods: careful hand-picking (brucatura) on the younger trees, and gentle mechanical shakers for the older giants. Each technique is chosen to preserve the health of the tree and the purity of the fruit.

Then, led by olive oil sommelier Lucia Leone, you’ll take part in a technical tasting of four different extra virgin organic olive oils produced right here on the estate. This is not just a sip-and-smile session—this is an education for your palate. You’ll learn to distinguish bitterness from spiciness, detect aromas from the fruit, and understand what makes an olive oil not just good—but exceptional.

Lucia will guide you through the tasting process with clarity and passion, explaining how to best use each oil at the table and in the kitchen. You’ll come away knowing how to choose, store, and pair extra virgin olive oil, elevating your future meals with every drizzle.

Throughout your visit, you’ll feel the atmosphere of a place where time slows down—where people live by the rhythm of the land, and where history is not just preserved but lived, every day. You’ll be walking among living trees that have seen generations pass and tasting oils that carry centuries of tradition in every drop.

This experience is ideal for food lovers, curious travelers, and anyone who wants to understand the true essence of Puglia. Whether you're visiting in the cooler months during harvest or in the golden days of summer, you’ll leave with more than just knowledge—you’ll leave with memory, flavor, and connection.