Primitivo di Manduria and Lizzano DOC Wine Route – Puglia: generous vineyards, intense wines and ancient lands between stone and salt. The Primitivo di Manduria and Lizzano DOC Wine Route crosses a warm and bright corner of Salento, where vines have been growing for centuries on red, sunny soils full of history. Between the provinces of Taranto and Brindisi, this itinerary combines the powerful soul of Primitivo di Manduria and the versatility of the Lizzano DOC, offering an oenological journey made up of contrasts: sea and countryside, full-bodied reds and fragrant rosés. 🍇 A microclimate of sun and sea wind: Primitivo matures on ferrous, sandy and clayey soils, in an area where the sea is always close. The breezes of the Ionian dampen the heat, allowing the grapes to reach a high sugar concentration while maintaining balance and freshness. Alongside Primitivo, Negroamaro, Malvasia Nera and Verdeca are also grown, for wines with well-defined personality and identity. 👉 Tip: Enjoy a freshly oxygenated Primitivo di Manduria DOC in a large glass: notes of plum, sweet spices and velvety tannins. 🏞️ Low vineyards, farms and wine villages: The vineyards extend as far as the eye can see around Manduria, Lizzano, Maruggio and San Marzano, with low and wide plants, modeled according to ancient methods of bush cultivation. Here, the landscape is made up of cultivated expanses, silvery olive groves, fortified farms and country churches. The villages retain a simple, welcoming soul that is deeply linked to the land. 👉 Tip: Visit the historic center of Manduria in the late afternoon and stop at a winery for a guided tasting with small local tastings. 🚶 Wine trails between wineries and tradition: The road is traveled between historic wineries, small producers and local cooperatives. Some companies offer tours of the rows, visits to the barrel cellar and workshops dedicated to drying or traditional winemaking. Among the most engaging experiences, picnics in the vineyards and rural dinners at sunset, under the stars. 👉 Tip: Book a visit to a family-run winery: you will be able to get to know the vine cycle up close and taste Primitivo in all its variations. 🍷 Strong pairings and Mediterranean flavors: Primitivo di Manduria expresses itself at its best with intense and structured dishes: braised meats, meat sauce, baked meat and aged pecorino cheese. The rosé versions of Lizzano accompany summer dishes, grilled fish, vegetables and rustic focaccia. The natural sweet type of Primitivo is perfect with dry pastries, tarts and dark chocolate. 👉 Tip: Combine a Primitivo Dolce Naturale DOCG with dried figs and toasted almonds for a typical and surprising end of the meal. 🎉 Seasonal Events and Harvest Festivals: During the year, the territory celebrates wine with events dedicated to the grape harvest, peasant traditions and local cuisine. From June to September, the cellars open for evening events, guided tastings and live music, while in autumn new wine is celebrated with festivals, rituals and sensory journeys. 👉 Tip: Take part in one of the Primitivo evenings: tastings under the stars among the vineyards, with music, art and authentic flavors of Salento. The Primitivo di Manduria and Lizzano DOC Wine Route is a powerful and sunny itinerary: each glass preserves the warm soul of the earth, the slow rhythm of the sea and the deep voice of tradition.