What will Chef Mario Carlino teach in the cooking class?

You learn to prepare traditional Puglian dishes from the beginning, using fresh local ingredients that you can make at home. The class lasts two hours and includes the meal you cooked with wine and dessert.

What comes with the wine tasting experience?

You taste two local wines while learning about the region's climate and soil that make these wines special. Food pairings include regional cold cuts and aged cheeses, along with information about vineyard techniques.

How does the private chef barbecue work?

A chef grills locally sourced meats, fresh seafood, and seasonal vegetables in front of you on an olive wood fire under the open sky. Drinks are not part of this meal, so you can order separately from the bar.

What other activities are available besides the included ones?

The estate offers bike and e-bike rides through the countryside, walks through the grounds, use of the pool and sauna, and massage appointments. The nearby town of Gallipoli, with its harbor and beaches, is just 10 minutes away by car.

Nature, Food, and Wellness in Southern Italy

3 Nights 4 Days Italy Holistic WellnessTenuta Negroamaro

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Key Highlights

Walks, Bikes, and Wide Open Paths

There is a lot of open space to enjoy at Tenuta Negroamaro, starting from the estate itself and stretching out into the Sannicola countryside. Nature trails run through the property, and bikes and e-bikes are available for longer rides along the rural roads nearby. The beaches and old harbor of Gallipoli are just ten minutes away by car for anyone who wants to explore further.

From the Garden to the Plate

Good food is at the heart of everything at Tenuta Negroamaro, and farm-to-table dining Puglia style means the ingredients are fresh, local, and full of real flavor. The morning starts with a complimentary continental breakfast of fresh pastries and produce grown right on the estate. The restaurant serves seasonal dishes at lunch and dinner, all made from ingredients coming from the kitchen garden and the surrounding countryside. The Cactus Bar is available throughout the day with botanical spritzes, cocktails, and local red wines whenever you want them.

The Estate: Olive Groves, Vineyards, and Open Land

The grounds at Tenuta Negroamaro are one of the first things you notice when you arrive, and they stay with you for the rest of the stay. Ancient olive trees, working vineyards, and pine woods cover the property, with wild red-soil gardens and open spaces running in between. A charming interactive animal farm is also part of the estate and adds a touch that makes the place feel genuinely warm. Spending time outdoors here comes naturally, and most guests find that the days pass more happily than expected.

Wellness Without the Fuss

The wellness facilities at Tenuta Negroamaro are available all day and can be used as much or as little as you like. On the property, you have access to an outdoor yoga platform, a cedarwood sauna, a cold plunge pool, an outdoor gym, and massage services. Hanging sofa beds are set up in quiet spots around the grounds for anyone who simply wants to sit still and enjoy the fresh air for a while.

Wine Tasting in Salento

Salento has been producing wine for centuries, and the warm climate and limestone soil give local varieties like Negroamaro and Primitivo a flavor that is very specific to this part of Italy. Wine tasting Puglia sessions can be set up on the estate or at nearby local producers, and they pair beautifully with regional cold cuts and aged cheeses. Tasting these wines where they are grown is a simple and very enjoyable part of the Salento experience.

Learn to Cook Like a Puglian

Chef Mario Carlino leads a hands-on cooking class from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, open to individuals or couples at 110 euros per person. You will learn to prepare traditional Puglian dishes from scratch using fresh local ingredients, and the skills are easy to bring home and use in your own kitchen. A bottle of wine and dessert are included, and the class can be booked upon request.

More about this escape

Tenuta Negroamaro is a property where every detail has been looked after, from the feel of the rooms to the food that comes out of the kitchen every day. London-based studio Olga Ashby Interiors designed the spaces using organic materials that feel naturally at home in the landscape around the estate. A large Mediterranean pool, an outdoor yoga platform, a cedarwood sauna, and a cold plunge pool are all there for you to enjoy at any point during your stay. The restaurant is built around farm-to-table dining Puglia style, with fresh produce pulled from the kitchen garden on the estate, and the Cactus Bar is a great spot for a drink whenever you feel like one. A concierge team is always around to help with bookings, activities, and any local recommendations you need.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive and Settle In

After checking in, take a slow walk around the estate to get a feel for the grounds, passing the olive groves, the animal farm, and the open gardens. As the afternoon moves toward sunset, head to the vineyards for the aperitivo hour with a botanical spritz or a glass of local rose and some traditional Apulian snacks. Dinner at the on-site restaurant brings the first evening to a warm close, with a fresh seasonal meal made from ingredients grown right on the property.

Meals: Farm-to-table dinner

Activities: Estate exploration, sunset aperitivo among the vineyards

Day 2: Cook, Ride, and Relax

A continental breakfast starts the morning before heading into the kitchen with Chef Mario Carlino for a hands-on Puglian cooking class. Once lunch is done, the afternoon is free for a countryside cycle, or e-bike ride through the rural roads of Sannicola, with the option to ride toward the Ionian coastline for those who want to go a little further. Back at the estate, the pool and the Cactus Bar are both great ways to wind down the evening.

Meals: Continental breakfast, cooking class lunch with wine

Activities: Puglian cooking class, countryside cycling or e-bike ride, pool and Cactus Bar

Day 3: A Day in the Vineyard

A guided walk through the estate vineyards opens the morning, with the tour covering how the Apulian climate and the alberello training method shape grapes like Negroamaro and Primitivo. A wine tasting Puglia session follows, with both wines paired with local cold cuts and aged cheeses. The private chef barbecue dinner brings the day to a close, with everything cooked live on the olive wood grill under the open sky.

Meals: Wine tasting with pairings, private chef BBQ dinner

Activities: Guided vineyard and winery tour, Negroamaro wine tasting, private chef dining experience

Day 4: A Slow Send-Off

An early yoga session on the outdoor platform or a visit to the cedarwood sauna and cold plunge pool is a good way to ease into the final morning. A last coffee while looking out over the countryside is a calm way to close out a stay that felt good from start to finish. Most people leave Tenuta Negroamaro wishing they had booked more time, and the Salento countryside estate has a way of making you want to come back.

Meals: Morning coffee

Activities: Open-air yoga, cedarwood sauna, and cold plunge pool

Want to customize this itinerary?

This is a sample escape by Tenuta Negroamaro. Tailor it to your travel dates, group size, and preferences.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What's Included

Culinary & Wine Experiences

Guided vineyard tour with explanation of grape training methods

Wine tasting session with Negroamaro and Primitivo paired with local cold cuts and aged cheeses

Hands-on Puglian cooking class with Chef Mario Carlino from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Cooking class lunch with wine and dessert included

Private chef barbecue dinner cooked live on an olive wood grill

Wellness & Outdoor Activities

Outdoor yoga platform access

Cedarwood sauna and cold plunge pool

Countryside cycling or e-bike ride through Sannicola rural roads

Guided estate walk through olive groves and gardens

Outdoor gym access

Massage services available

Hanging sofa beds in quiet spots around the grounds

Accommodation & Extras

Continental breakfast with fresh pastries and estate-grown produce

Farm-to-table seasonal lunch and dinner at the on-site restaurant

Welcome aperitivo hour with botanical spritz or local rose wine and Apulian snacks

Access to the Mediterranean pool

Cactus Bar with botanical spritzes, cocktails, and local wines

Access to an interactive animal farm

Not Included

Additional Activities

Extra cooking classes beyond the included session

Wine tastings at nearby local producers outside the estate

Additional guided tours or activities

Bike or e-bike rentals for independent exploration

Massage treatments beyond complimentary sessions

Personal Expenses

Alcoholic beverages beyond those included in the aperitivo and wine tasting

Lunch or dinner not prepared by the chef or restaurant

Personal purchases, souvenirs, or local artisan goods

Tips and gratuities for staff and guides

Transportation & Insurance

Flights to and from Italy

Airport or station transfers to and from the estate

Travel insurance coverage

Car rental for exploring beyond the property

Professional photography permits

Good to Know

What to Wear and Pack

Bring comfortable shoes with a good grip for walking on estate paths. Pack light clothing that breathes well since you will be outside a lot. A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are important for sun protection during the day.

Advance Reservations

The private chef barbecue needs 48 hours' notice before you arrive so the chef can find the freshest ingredients. Tell the concierge team about this when you make your booking.

Italian Meal Times

In Italy, lunch is the biggest meal and happens between 1:00 and 3:00 PM. Dinner starts around 8:00 PM and can take a couple of hours. Let the restaurant know about any food allergies or dietary needs when you check in.

Money and Payments

Italy uses the Euro. Credit cards work in most places but some small shops want cash. Contact your bank before the trip so they know you will be using your card abroad.

Best Time to Visit

Optimal periods to experience Nature, Food, and Wellness in Southern Italy at its finest, based on weather conditions and overall visitor experience.

September to October

About your stay

Tenuta Negroamaro

Yuri, SP52 Contrada, Sannicola LE, Italy

Tenuta Negroamaro is a seven-hectare estate in the Salento countryside of southern Italy, and it is one of the most peaceful places you can visit in the region. The property is centered around good food, open land, and a relaxed way of life that makes it very easy to slow down.

Your Accommodation

Tenuta Negroamaro has three types of rooms, and all of them feel closely connected to the land and landscape of the estate. Pool suites open directly onto a private pool, garden suites sit within the surrounding outdoor landscape, and the trullo is a traditional circular room with ancient curved walls that bring a deep feeling of calm and stillness inside. Organic materials and natural scents are used throughout all the rooms, and the atmosphere is warm and personal. The whole property was created with one goal in mind, and that is to make every guest feel completely at home in the heart of the Puglian countryside.

Amenities & Services

Swimming Pool

Spa

Gym

Garden

Bicycle Rental

Cooking Classes

Yoga

Nature Walks

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