Ostuni: Masseria Tour among Thousand-Year-Old Olive Trees with Oil Tasting
Hightlight
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English-Speaking
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Group-Friendly
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Reservations
History
Ostuni, known as the “White City” for its whitewashed buildings, lies in Puglia, a region renowned for olive oil production since antiquity. Olive cultivation in Puglia dates back to the Bronze Age (c. 2000 BC), with thousand-year-old olive trees—some over 2,000 years old—still standing as testaments to ancient agricultural practices introduced by Greeks and Romans. Masserias, fortified farmhouses like Masseria Rienzo, emerged in the Middle Ages (13th-16th centuries) as centers of rural life, often housing underground oil mills carved into limestone caves to protect olive presses from heat and invaders. These mills, used until the 19th century, reflect Puglia’s deep-rooted olive oil tradition, a cornerstone of its economy and cuisine.
Modern olive oil production, blending traditional methods with technology, has elevated Puglia’s extra-virgin olive oil to global acclaim, with the region producing over 40% of Italy’s supply. Tours like this one, popularized in the 2000s as agritourism grew, showcase this heritage, combining visits to ancient trees, historic cave mills, and modern facilities. The oil tasting highlights Puglia’s culinary excellence, recognized by UNESCO as part of the Mediterranean Diet Intangible Heritage (2010), offering a sensory connection to centuries of tradition.
Highlights
- Stroll among Puglia’s thousand-year-old olive trees, living historical monuments
- Tour a historic underground cave oil mill and a modern high-tech mill
- Taste three types of extra-virgin olive oil with friselline (Puglian bread)
- Learn about olive oil production from an expert guide (English or Italian)
- Experience Puglia’s rural heritage in a 1.5-hour immersive journey
Full Description
Embark on a 1.5-hour guided tour at Masseria Rienzo, a historic farmhouse near Ostuni, starting at the masseria’s entrance. Your expert guide (English or Italian) leads you through a timeless landscape, beginning with a walk among thousand-year-old olive trees, some dating back to Roman times. These gnarled, majestic trees, set against Puglia’s red soil, are living relics, and your guide shares their historical and ecological significance, tying them to the region’s ancient farming traditions.
Next, explore an underground cave oil mill, carved into limestone, where ancient presses once produced olive oil. Learn about traditional methods, from hand-crushed olives to stone presses, used for centuries in Puglia. Then, visit the masseria’s modern mill, where cutting-edge technology ensures high-quality extra-virgin olive oil. The guide explains the evolution of production, highlighting sustainability and precision that define Puglia’s world-class oils.
Conclude with a guided tasting of three distinct extra-virgin olive oils, paired with friselline (crisp Puglian bread) and water. The tasting awakens your senses, teaching you to discern aromas, flavors, and quality, from fruity to peppery notes. This sensory experience, set in the rustic charm of Masseria Rienzo, blends history, innovation, and Puglia’s culinary soul, ending back at the starting point with a deeper appreciation for olive oil’s legacy.
Why Choose This Experience?
This 1.5-hour tour, priced at $33, offers an authentic, immersive dive into Puglia’s olive oil heritage, perfect for foodies, history enthusiasts, or travelers seeking rural authenticity. The guided journey through thousand-year-old olive trees, a cave mill, and a modern facility showcases the blend of tradition and innovation that defines Puglia’s global olive oil reputation. The oil tasting, led by a passionate guide, elevates the experience, teaching you to appreciate extra-virgin olive oil like a local.
The compact duration fits busy itineraries, and the small-group format ensures intimacy, set in the stunning countryside near Ostuni. Free cancellation and reserve-now-pay-later add flexibility, while the eco-friendly masseria aligns with Puglia’s sustainable tourism ethos. Ideal for couples, families, or solo travelers, this tour delivers a sensory and cultural connection to Puglia’s heart, leaving you with knowledge and flavors to savor.
What’s Included
- 1.5-hour guided tour (English or Italian)
- Walk among thousand-year-old olive trees
- Tour of historic underground cave oil mill
- Tour of modern olive oil mill
- Tasting of three extra-virgin olive oils
- Friselline (Puglian bread) and water
- Expert local guide
Itinerary
- Meet at Masseria Rienzo 10-15 minutes early
- Walk among thousand-year-old olive trees (20-30 minutes)
- Visit underground cave oil mill (20 minutes)
- Tour modern olive oil mill (20 minutes)
- Guided tasting of three olive oils with friselline and water (20 minutes)
- End at Masseria Rienzo
Pricing
From $33 per person
Meeting Point
Masseria Rienzo, Contrada Lamia Nuova, 72017 Ostuni BR, Italy. Arrive 10-15 minutes early and look for the tour staff.
How to Get There
- By Car: Drive via SS16 or SP21 to Ostuni; Masseria Rienzo is ~10 minutes from the city center; parking available
- By Bus: Take regional bus to Ostuni (Piazza Italia stop); taxi or 15-minute drive to masseria
- By Taxi or Rideshare: Drop-off at Masseria Rienzo; €10-15 from Ostuni center
- By Tour Operator: Some bookings include shuttle from Ostuni; confirm when reserving
- On Foot: Not feasible; masseria is rural, ~5 km from Ostuni
Good to Know
What to Bring
- Comfortable shoes for walking on uneven terrain
- Sun hat and sunscreen for outdoor portions
- Light jacket for cooler seasons or cave mill
- Camera for olive groves and masseria
- Water bottle (though water is provided)
Know Before You Go
- Moderate walking (~1 km) on uneven ground; not wheelchair-accessible
- Tour operates in all weather; olive groves are outdoors, mills indoors
- Small-group format for intimacy; private tours may be available
- Cancel up to 24 hours for full refund; reserve-now-pay-later available
- Suitable for all ages; kids need supervision in groves
- No pets allowed; small bags only
- Tasting includes vegetarian-friendly friselline; confirm dietary needs when booking
Reviews
- Very impressive tour, informative, in a beautiful setting. Julia was wonderful—definitely recommend!
- Passionate family guide, loved learning about olive farming and history—great experience!
- Julia was fantastic, so passionate! The oil tasting was amazing; can’t wait to try it at home in Australia!
Maps
Contact
Video
FAQ's
What makes Puglia’s olive oil unique, and what’s the tasting like?
Puglia produces over 40% of Italy’s olive oil, known for its robust, fruity, and peppery flavors due to the region’s Coratina and Ogliarola olives, grown in ideal Mediterranean conditions. The guided tasting includes three extra-virgin oils, from mild to intense, paired with friselline (crisp bread). Your guide teaches you to identify aromas, tastes, and quality, like grassy or bitter notes, in a ~20-minute session. It’s educational and sensory, perfect for food lovers, with Puglia’s UNESCO-recognized diet as context.
Is the tour suitable for children or those with mobility issues?
Yes, the tour is family-friendly for kids able to walk ~1 km on uneven grove paths; supervision is needed. The 1.5-hour duration suits most ages, and the tasting engages young palates. For mobility issues, the outdoor groves and cave mill have uneven surfaces, making it challenging for wheelchairs or those with significant limitations. Contact the operator for specifics. Comfortable shoes are a must. The experience is accessible for most but requires moderate mobility.
What’s the difference between the cave mill and modern mill?
The underground cave mill, carved into limestone, represents traditional olive oil production from centuries past, using stone presses and manual methods to extract oil, preserved for its historical value. The modern mill uses high-tech machinery for efficiency and quality, producing extra-virgin olive oil with precise temperature control. The guide explains both processes, showing how tradition informs innovation. Visiting both offers a fascinating contrast, highlighting Puglia’s olive oil evolution over millennia.
Can I buy olive oil after the tour?
Yes, Masseria Rienzo typically offers its extra-virgin olive oils for purchase post-tour, often the same varieties tasted (confirm availability on-site). Prices range from €10-20 per bottle, reflecting premium quality. Bring cash, as card payments may not always be available. Buying supports the masseria’s sustainable practices and lets you bring Puglia’s flavors home. The guide can recommend uses, like drizzling on salads or pasta, enhancing your culinary experience.
What happens if the weather affects the tour?
The tour runs in most weather, as the cave and modern mills are indoors, and olive groves are viewable in light rain. In extreme conditions (e.g., heavy storms), the operator may cancel, notifying you via SMS (provide an active phone number). You’ll get a full refund or rescheduling option. Puglia’s climate is usually mild, so disruptions are rare. Dress for outdoor portions (hat, jacket) to ensure comfort. The flexibility keeps the experience reliable.
