Castro Wine Fest: Where Sea and Wine Meet in Salento
A Location Without Rivals
The setting—the Upper Borgo of Castro—has no rival in terms of charm and elegance. A village suspended in time, immersed in stone and perched above the blue of the sea. When evening falls and the narrow streets of the borgo light up, the magic of wine begins—a journey that welcomes and embraces its guests, warming their hearts and moving their senses. Crowds of people tasting, trying, and receiving expert recommendations during their tastings.
An endless offering of Salento labels, all of incredible quality and authenticity, each tied to the territory yet each expressing its own character and vision of wine.
The Event: What to See
Numerous Salento wine excellences are presented in stands along a tasting route of approximately 600 meters. Wine blends with art and culture, guiding visitors through:
- The belvedere of Piazza Perotti
- The courtyards of the Aragonese Castle of Castro and its sea-view terraces
- Piazza Vittoria, the former Cathedral, the Bishop's Palace
- The Archaeological Park area and the ruins of the Temple of Minerva
Thirty stands where tastings are guided by the highly prepared and passionate Sommeliers of AIS Lecce, who share stories, characteristics, and anecdotes about each label—allowing visitors to fully appreciate every wine.
The Thematic Food Corners
This year's event is enriched by the presence of "thematic food corners," in collaboration with local businesses: Marevivo, Le Stanzie, L'Aragosta, Da Amedeo, Lamanna's, Nuova Contadina, Calo&Monte, Il Vincotto di Antonio Venneri, Masseria Pallanzano.
Five musical stations, numerous points of interest and side events, local bakeries, and agri-food companies, a corner dedicated to artisan pastries in collaboration with Arome de Cacao, Giovanni Venneri, Le Dolci Fantasie. A gluten-free station and a dedicated area for raw seafood with wine tasting, oysters, shellfish, and other marine delicacies—this is the classic and proven formula that has made Castro Wine Fest a hugely successful event over its previous four editions.
What's New in the Fifth Edition
An enormous success that continues to fuel the passion and work of those who have contributed to its realization for so long. This passion drives continuous renewal and improvement each year.
This year, for the first time, the novelty is the live performances of three great local chefs.
Show Cooking: A Gourmet Experience
On the evening of June 29th, a show cooking dedicated to creative cuisine paired with some top wines from the wineries present at Castro Wine Fest. In a dedicated area in Piazza Vittoria, Chefs Alessandra Civilla (Alex restaurant, Lecce), Cosimo Russo (Le Dune, Porto Cesareo), and Alfredo De Luca (Origano restaurant, Minervino di Lecce) will prepare and offer visitors a gourmet dish, while AIS Sommeliers recommend the perfect wine pairing.
An event within the event that opens the doors to excellence in food, highlighting the inseparable blend of flavors and aromas that cuisine and wine amplify together.
Featured Wines in the Exclusive Area
Grande Primitivo di Manduria
Vintage 60 anni - San Marzano
Boemondo
Primitivo IGP Salento - Duca Carlo Guarini
Cento su Cento
Negroamaro - Castel di Salve
Bland Amativo
Cantele
Special Guests
In addition to celebrating cuisine and wine, the Castro Wine Fest will feature prominent figures from the Italian food and wine scene:
Giorgio Locatelli
Owner of Locanda Locatelli in London, first Italian Michelin-starred chef abroad, new Chef of MasterChef Italia
Sandro Sangiorgi
Journalist, writer, food and wine expert, editor of Porthos magazine
Francesco Saverio Russo
Among the top 20 wine influencers worldwide, curator of www.wineblogroll.it
Other participants include internationally renowned artist Arianna Greco (the "wine painter"), the Cantina Social team, the multi-platform wine information channel known for its unconventional and "social" approach, and Enzo Scivetti, world expert and ambassador of Toscano cigars.
Exhibiting Wineries - 2018 Edition
Practical Information 2018
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | June 29–30 & July 1, 2018 |
| Start Time | 7:30 PM |
| Location | Upper Borgo of Castro (LE), Puglia |
| Tickets | Online pre-sale available until June 28, 2018 |
| Website | www.castrowinefest.it |
| Contact | [email protected] |
Travel Tip: To experience the Top Wine Experience, it is necessary to book and purchase your special ticket in advance. Buying your ticket early allows you to avoid queues and start your experience immediately. Pre-sale available until June 28, 2018.
Extend Your Wine Journey with Us
After visiting the Castro Wine Fest, you can visit the exhibiting wineries with Salento Wine Tour. Choose one of our tours or contact us for a personalized itinerary.
BOOK YOUR WINE TOUR