Castro Wine Fest 2026: Puglia's Best Wines in a Medieval Borgo

The Castro Wine Fest returns for its 10th edition, transforming the ancient medieval "borgo" of Castro into an open-air temple for Puglia and Salento's finest wines.

Cantine

Pasticcerie

800m

Percorso

10°

Edizione

The 2026 Experience

Scheduled for July 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 2026, this event is a sensory journey that snakes through the narrow white alleys of the historic center, culminating in breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea.

Giunto alla decima edizione, è diventato un appuntamento imperdibile per gli amanti del vino e del buon cibo. Vetrina promozionale per le aziende vinicole di Puglia. Con oltre 40 cantine e decine di artigiani del cibo locale, Castro Wine Fest ha consolidato il suo status come uno dei festival enologici più prestigiosi del Sud Italia, attirando esperti internazionali e migliaia di appassionati.

Photo Castro Wine Fest the best experience in Salento

A high-angle landscape photograph capturing the breathtaking panoramic view of the wide, turquoise Castro Bay (Baia di Castro) on the Salento coast of Puglia, Italy, seen from the ancient, stone-paved upper castle terrace. In the foreground, a young woman with a green dress sits on the extreme precipice of a weathered limestone cliff, her back to the camera, gazing out over the water. The bay is framed by extensive limestone formations, Roman and medieval archaeological ruins (implying the Grotta della Poesia site), sea caves, arches, and a dense Mediterranean maquis landscape. Traditional white buildings line the distant shore. The sun is high, casting crisp shadows under a wide, partly cloudy blue sky, highlighting the crystal-clear water and ancient stone. The composition leads the eye from the foreground figure to the vast coastal panorama. — A masterpiece of natural beauty: the breathtaking panoramic view of Castro Bay from the historic Upper Castle, home of the Castro Wine Fest. Discover the true ‘Land and Sea’ of Salento with SalentoWineTour.com.

A friendly chef in a colorful patterned toque and black apron smiles while holding a large tray of gourmet appetizers at the Castro Wine Fest in Salento, Puglia. The tray features individual glasses filled with a vibrant magenta-colored beet and vegetable ceviche or salad, each with a small white fork. In the foreground, a wine tasting pouch and fresh celery are visible on a white table against a rustic limestone wall. — A prelude to excellence: a vibrant gourmet aperitivo served by a local chef at the Castro Wine Fest. The perfect start before diving into Salento’s land and sea delicacies. Photo by SalentoWineTour.com.

A creative close-up of a hand holding a glass of bright pink Salento Rosé wine. Through the crystal glass, the reflection shows the historic stone walls of Castro's ancient castle and the coastal landscape. In the background, a wine masterclass is in progress with participants seated at white tables on a lawn, under a twilight sky during the Castro Wine Fest. — Learning from the best: exclusive wine masterclasses held in the shadow of Castro’s ancient castle walls. A breathtaking experience for every wine lover at Castro Wine Fest.

A high-angle landscape photograph capturing another sweeping, high-angle panoramic view of the wide, turquoise Castro Bay (Baia di Castro) on the Salento coast of Puglia, Italy, taken from the ancient upper castle terrace. In the foreground, numerous intricately prepared round tables with white linens, complex table settings, and a glass receiving a pour are arranged for a VIP event, framed by ancient limestone walls and Roman-era columns. A young woman with a green dress sits on the extreme edge of the weathered cliff on the left, her back to the camera, gazing out over the water. The bay is framed by extensive limestone formations, Roman and medieval archaeological ruins (Grotta della Poesia site), and dense Mediterranean maquis. Traditional white buildings line the distant shore. The sun is high, casting crisp shadows under a wide, partly cloudy blue sky, highlighting the crystal-clear water and ancient stone. The composition leads the eye from the foreground figure to the vast coastal panorama and the exclusive event setting. — A masterpiece of scenery and exclusivity: the breathtaking view of Castro Bay from the upper castle terrace, complete with intricately prepared VIP tables for the Castro Wine Fest. Experience the perfect blend of luxury, history, and natural beauty with SalentoWineTour.com.

Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli (with curly grey hair, glasses, and white shirt) in a private, authentic setting during the Castro Wine Fest in Salento, Puglia, Italy, meticulously preparing a complex appetizer with a tweezer. He stands behind a professional stainless steel and marble preparation counter in a well-lit outdoor evening kitchen, surrounded by fresh ingredients (leafy greens, specific Salento red prawns, scampi, mussels, clams), diverse plating elements, and specialized tools. Behind him, the festive lights, architectural details of the ancient castle walls, other attendees, and a distant sea view are softly blurred, creating a focused, high-energy atmosphere that emphasizes Locatelli's precision and the high standard of the event. — Legendary flavor in Salento: Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli joins us for a private Masterclass at the Castro Wine Fest. Witness culinary artistry meets ancient Puglian heritage, only with SalentoWineTour.com.

Swipe to explore our wine tour experiences in San Donaci

Un percorso di 800 metri che attraverserà il Castello Aragonese, con le sue terrazze panoramiche vista mare. L'evento, realizzato dall'associazione Oltrevento in collaborazione con AIS Lecce ed il Comune di Castro, si sviluppa in 3 principali aree .

The Tasting Routes

The festival is organized into specialized thematic areas, ensuring a high-quality experience for every visitor:

Via del Pesce (Seafood Way)

Located along the "Belvedere delle Mura", this area is dedicated to oysters, fried octopus meatballs, fried battered mussels, and fried calamari. It will be characterized by the presence of sparkling wines (Bollicine) perfectly paired with seafood .

Percorso Classico (The Classic Route)

Starting from the Belvedere di piazza Perotti and arriving at the "Tempio di Minerva," this route hosts 49 tasting stations assigned to Puglia's wineries. It crosses the two main squares of the historic center, the panoramic terrace of the Aragonese Castle, and the streets of Castro's historic center .

Via del Dolce (Sweet Way)

Located in the archaeological excavations area, this route features 4 local pastry shops, each presenting a signature product to be tasted paired with passito wines, sweet wines, and artisanal liqueurs from local producers .

Tickets & Kits 2026

Tickets are available online (highly recommended) at the official website www.castrowinefest.it or at the entrance.

Ticket Type	Price	Includes
Classic Route	€20.00	8 Wine tastings, 2 Food coupons, 1 Chocolate tasting, Glass & Pouch.
Via del Dolce (Add-on)	€5.00	1 Sweet wine + 1 artisanal dessert.
Top Wine Experience	€80.00	Exclusive seated dinner (60 seats only) with premium pairings.

Special Guests & Experts

The 2026 edition welcomes back journalists from RAI's Decanter, world-renowned sommeliers, and famous wine bloggers. This team of experts hosts guided masterclasses on the Castle's terrace, offering deep dives into the nuances of Negroamaro and Primitivo.

Traveling to Castro for the Fest? Don't worry about the narrow roads or parking. We offer private transfers from Lecce and Otranto directly to the festival gates.

Ready to experience the best of Puglia's wines?

Book your transfer and join us in the magical medieval borgo of Castro for three days of wine, food, and stunning sea views.

PLAN YOUR TRANSFER HERE

Official Ticket Office: www.castrowinefest.it

Tagged events, puglia, Salento