Excursionist The eco-chic

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Excursionist The eco-chic
TRAVEL &
 LIFESTYLE
 magazine
 SS 2019
 Issue 1

 www.via-magazine.com

The eco-chic
Excursionist
trek, cycle, snorkel, meditate
& dine under the stars

Beyond Baroque
in the heart of lecce’s
architectural marvels

The renaissance
of Apulian rosé
the golden age of
puglia’s pink harvest

Travel Guide
the best of puglia
in your pocket
Excursionist The eco-chic
P er f or m a n c e o n
                                                   a gr a n d sc a l e
                                                              The Sunseeker 86 Yacht

SUNSEEKER ITALY S.R.L.
Porto Turistico 52, 16033 Lavagna (GE), Italy
Tel: +39 0185 30 53 17
Mob: +39 366 144 0325
Email: info@sunseeker-italy.com
www.sunseeker-italy.com                                                                Italy

                                                                                SEEK MOR E
Excursionist The eco-chic
EDITOR’S                                                                     CONTRIBUTORS
        LETTER

    D
                  ear Reader,                                                           Sir Robert Arnold Pugin                   and has traveled to remote corners
                  Welcome to Puglia!                                                    Drystone architecture is the human        of the globe and writes for Suitcase,
                  Perhaps it’s your first time in the southern tip of                   skill path that connects designer         Vogue, Artforum, Conde Nast Trave-
                  Italy and you’re not sure what to expect; perhaps                     and writer Robert Pugin to his great      ler and National Geographic Travel-
    you’re a returning visitor or occasional resident of the region.                    grandfather’s iconic tower the ‘Big       lers, among others.
    Either way, in the land of Puglia you will discover that the excellence             Ben’. Ancient dry stone structures
    and métiers for which Italy is celebrated originates                                are found throughout Europe from          Inbal Sinai
    here, in between the ancient olive groves, the delicacies baking in                 Puglia to Scotland yet for Robert,        Writer, curator, and producer of art
    a family kitchen, the artisan studios of sleepy towns, and the rolling              they are a symbol that stone crafts       and design projects, Inbal lived in
    green hills where vineyards are woven to the earth.                                 are lasting; as for technology, he re-    Milan for eight years and worked in
    It is an authentic land down to the last grain, it is beautiful and rustic          mains unconvinced. He is a poet at        the advertising sector until her return
    with an almost accidental elegance that fills you with wonder. Not                  heart and a master in the use of the      to Tel Aviv in 2017. After graduating
    surprisingly, many visitors have remained so enchanted their second                 English language.                         from Bocconi University in Milan with
    visit concluded with the purchase of a home of their own.                                                                     a master’s degree in Management
    The magazine in your hand is the result of a year’s worth of first-                 Christian Koch                            and Economics for Arts, Culture,
    hand trips, encounters and experiences across Puglia. Most times                    Christian Koch is a journalist and edi-   Media and Entertainment, she now
    the journeys entailed hopping on trains with just a small trolley, while            tor who has written for the Evening       specializes in cultural marketing and
    other times required smart planning and pre-shipped luggage (thanks                 Standard, Sunday Times, Guardian,         consulting for communication stra-
    to Luggage Forward), a service that I can highly recommend as the                   Telegraph, The Independent, The           tegies that combine art and culture.
    real hands-free way to travel in modern times.                                      Face, Cosmopolitan, and a phalanx         One can say that her first gallery
    Have a drink (may I suggest a caffé Leccese?), prop yourself in a                   of inflight magazines covering reports    opening is her apartment in Tel Aviv,
    comfortable corner and browse this issue at your leisure. Our feature               on living on an Italian commune, ga-      featured in Time Out Tel Aviv.
    stories showcase a host of champions in the arts, design, agriculture               tecrashing the Cannes film festival,
    and hospitality sectors, and the travel guide offers a handpicked se-               and circumnavigating 360° around          Antonio Chiaese
    lection of things to do, places to dine, drink and dream, followed by               the world in 360 hours. He has in-        Antonio Chiaese is an Italian writer
    a calendar of seasonal events. It is a delight and privilege to be able             terviewed everybody from Mariah           and public historian currently based
    to share them with you, and I hope that you will find this issue helpful            Carey to Michael Douglas, and Ri-         in Vilnius, Lithuania, where he co-
    and inspiring during your stay in the land of Puglia.                               chard Branson to the Red Hot Chili        operates with several groups and
                                                                                        Peppers.                                  associations active in the social and
    I’d love to hear about your experience.                                                                                       cultural fields. He loves learning new
    E-mail me at: editorial@via-magazine.com                                            Himali Singh Soin                         languages, visiting new cities, tasting
                                                                                        Himali Singh Soin is a writer and arti-   new food and drinks - experiences
    Yours,                                                                              st based between London and Delhi.        that nourish his writings, together
    Eleonora                                                                            Her work is inspired by fantastical       with the colors and flavors of his be-
                                                                                        literature, the deep sea, outer space     loved Southern Italy.
                                                                                        and botanical gardens. She has per-
                                                                                        formed her poetry across the world in
                                                                                        immersive, audio visual environments

4                                                                                                                                                                           5
Excursionist The eco-chic
Contents
8                                                                 22
Travel                                                            Arts & Culture
Lost in the Woodlands of Puglia                                   Beyond Baroque
VIA explores the hidden paths in the fairytale woodlands of       A tour of Lecce reveals a palpable sense of spirituality
Puglia, dotted with historic towns and countryside hospitality    beneath its architectural marvels

              12                                                  26
               Experiences                                        Sports
                    Days of Aquamarine                            The Eco-Chic Excursionist
                    In Puglia, breathtaking blues coalesce with   Unique experiences where you can trek,
                    vintage whites, where you can retreat         cycle, snorkel, meditate, fly and then dine
                   between land and sea                           under the stars

                                                                                                   30
                           14                                                                    Design
                      Jewelry                                                                  Present Imperfect
                                                                   Artist Delphine Bekaert talks to VIA about her journey
                 Pearl of the South                                  from Belgium’s contemporary art scene to haute ceramic
A jewelry collection of simplistic luxury;                                                                       design in Puglia
sourced fresh out of the water, woven
   from the earth and handmade in Bari                            34
                                                                  Architecture
                  16                                              Solid as a Rock
                                                                  Ostuni-based stone expert TWS has developed new
          Health &                                                techniques to restore historic masserie and create new use
                                                                  for stone
         Wellness
    A League of His Own                                           36
    How one local entrepreneur
  is distilling wholesome nutrients                               Lifestyle
      from ancient olive trees into a                             People of Puglia
        revolutionary bite-sized packet                           The stories, ideas and innovations by the people
                                                                  of Puglia, from small town to the big city

                     19
                      Wine                                        41
                          The Renaissance                         Travel Guide
                                                                  From Trani to Lecce and across the heel to
                          of Apulian Rosé
                           It’s the “golden age” for Puglia’s     Ugento and Gallipoli, VIA highlights its best
                          pink harvest, thanks to top-ranking     addresses
                          vineyards and increasing global
                         recognition
                                                                                  70
                                                                     Culture Calendar
                                                                    A guide to arts and culture events across Puglia,
                                                                                              from May to October
         6
Excursionist The eco-chic
TRAVEL                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      TRAVEL

Lost in the
                                                                                                                                                                                                               Hiking the Daunian Mountains in Puglia.

 Woodlands
    of Puglia
S P E C I A L E D I TO R I A L

VIA explores the hidden
paths in the fairytale
woodlands of Puglia, dotted
with historic towns and
countryside hospitality

A
        rcheotrekking is a new kind       and over. You can start from the
        of experience in Italy that fo-   north at Lucera or from Roccetta
        cuses on combining cultural       Sant’Antonio in the south.
development and environmental
tourism as a way to explore cultural      In the north end of Puglia,
treasures and engage with regional        from Gargano to the Daunian
crafts and traditions in a territory.     Mountains, trekkers will enjoy a
The outdoor cultural sports activity      cross-town archeotrek that passes
is based on walking itineraries with      through woodland and villages
organized paths, ranging levels of        that were home to pre-historic
curiosity and overnight stays.            civilizations. The people who
                                          inhabit the mountain range have           with whom locals share stories,        with the aid of public transport.    at the heart is the Terra Vecchia       Woodland and a botanical garden.
The suggested itineraries are suita-      a natural disposition to hospitality      travel suggestions and ‘slow                                                quarter that merits a visit. Puglia’s   From the early morning, local de-
ble for solo travelers, families and      and service. Travelers here are not       cooking’ recipes.                      The route covers the towns of        highest peak is at Cornacchia           licacies brew in the air, enveloping
small groups with children ages 12        mere passersby; they are guests                                                  Bovino (home to a beautiful          Mountain, rising 1,152 meters           you at every corner, making this
                                                                                    The Monti Dauni (Daunian               Basilica and site engravings from    above sea level. The Frassati Trail     town an ideal stop for pleasantries
                                                                                    Mountains) is a series of three        3 B.C.), Ascoli Satriano (with       located here is perfect for Nordic      and culinary engagement.
                                                                                    breathtaking mountains where           mosaics from the first century       walking with a three-day trek and
                                                                                    oak forests and maple-covered          and relics of the Daunians’ lavish   overnight stays. Find a spot at         On the way are particular points
                                                                                    rolling hills dominate the landsca-    life) and the medieval town of       Cerasa Woods to inhale the fresh        of interest, including visits to the
                                                                                    pe. Named after the goddess            Pietramontecorvino, one of the       air and enjoy a rest.                   authentic mozzarella farms, fruit
                                                                                    Diana, the woods exude a certain       most beautiful in Italy. The town                                            picking from the orchards, and
                                                                                    wisdom, having survived millennia      is surrounded by wild forests        After crossing the mountains,           a cooking class where amid the
                                                                                    of historic events and conquests,      with paths suspended among           from the charming town of Faeto,        scent of freshly picked wild herbs
                                                                                    while each twist of the river greets   the trees (Pila di Sant’Onofrio)     you can enjoy a scenic view             you can enjoy a lunch made with
                                                                                    travelers with legends and stories.    and Tibetan bridges at Parco         over the entire landscape. Faeto        your very own hands and infused
                                                                                    Experienced hikers can journey         Avventura. Built on the foot of      town is composed of entangled,          with flavor that suits your palate.
                                                                                    by foot with overnight stops, whi-     Monti Dauni, the town overlooks      cobblestone alleyways with be-          The banquet style cooking you
                                                                                    le other travelers can combine the     a magical landscape seen only        autiful overhead arches while just      will often come across comprises
                                                   View from Sant’Agata di Puglia
                                                      and the Daunian Mountains.    journey on horseback, bicycle or       in children’s fairytale books and    outside is the enchanting Difesa        a rich array of ‘slow food’ recipes

           8                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             9
Excursionist The eco-chic
TRAVEL                                                                                                                                                                               Fresh mozzarella di Bufala
                                                                                                                                                                                     with homemade pesto sauce.

                                                                                                                                             abundant in flora and fauna.

                                                                                                                                             Whether you start from the nor-
                                                                                                                                             thern or southern points, the lan-
                                                                                                                                             dscape is spellbinding with many
                                                                                                                                             spots for splendid vistas, peaceful
                                                                                                                                             observations, light lunches, an af-
                                                                                                                                             ternoon rest, and dinner under the
                                                                                                                                             stars. In this authentic, preserved
                                                                                                                                             and uncontaminated environment,
                                                                                                                                             a sense of revival takes over, even
                                                                                                                                             for lovers of the big city. The sense
                                                                                                                                             of tranquility and the natural silen-
                                                                                                                                             ce reset your own inner rhythm,
                                                                                                                                             the way nature intended.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  SPECIAL STOPS

                                                                                              Sunset on the peak of Mount Cornacchia.                                                                             La Taverna Del Duca
                                                                                         Photo by © Daniele Frigida (Orizzonti Simbruini).
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Corso Umberto I 5, 71023 Bovino
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Tel: +39 0881 966326
using local produce, linked to              with countless archaeological finds   Rocchetta Sant’Antonio is the
historic rural traditions.                  including the Roman Bridge on         pearl of the Daunian Mountains, a
                                            Calaggio River. Once at Accadia,                                                                                                                                      Peppe Zullo
                                                                                  picturesque village that overlooks
Moving from the classical period            you can pass the Rione Fossi,         the region of Puglia, Campania                                                                                                  Via Piano Paradiso
to the Middle Ages, is the town of          the original historic center of the   and Basilicata. At the Mother                                                                                                   72017 Orsara di Puglia
Troia home to the Norman Tower              village where a series of caves and   Church is a treasure trove of price-                                                                                            Tel: +39 0881 964763
and Byzantine sarcophaguses.                pre-historic dwellings mark the lo-   less art with works by Scognami-                                                                                                peppezullo.it/ristorante
The beautiful towns of Sant’Agata           cations where Greek hermits once      glio, Giaquinto and Brudaglio.
                                                                                                                                               An olive grove in the
di Puglia and Rocchetta Sant’An-            lived. The scene is rather surreal    A network of trails emerges from                             Gargarno Promontory                                                Oasis-Sapori Antichi
tonio are two additional stops that         since the city was abandoned after    the historic center to the countrysi-                        in Puglia.                                                         Via Provinciale Vallesaccarda
are highly recommended. Perched             a 1930 earthquake devastated          de, passing archaeological sites
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  83050 Vallesaccarda
at the top of the mountains at              the town, and yet, this ghost town    and the Incoronata Forest (Bosco
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Tel: +39 082 797 021
800 meters above sea level and              comes to life every year during the   dell’Incoronata) where ancient
bordering the neighboring region            Accadia Blues Jazz Festival, held
                                                                                                                                               Where the Daunian                                                  oasis-saporiantichi.it
                                                                                  churches remain hidden in under-                             Mountains meet the
of Campania, Sant’Agata di Puglia           during the third week in July.        growth, as well as the Ofanto River                          region of Gargano.
resembles a city of nativity with its
Imperial Castle built on the highest
point of the town, the protector of
its people. Known for its farming
activity, the town preserves much
of its traditions from the 16th
century with a historic oil mill still in
operation.

As you complete the passage
through Sant’Agata di Puglia, you
can trek the 12-kilometer path
to Accadia passing through the
Paduli Green Woodlands, and the
Frugno stream of Monte Serbaroli,

                                                                                          Biking through the town of Bovino.
         10
Excursionist The eco-chic
EXPERIENCES

Days of
 Aquamarine
STORY BY H i m ali S i n g h S oi n

In Puglia, breathtaking blues
coalesce with vintage whites,
where you can retreat
between land and sea                                                                                                                                                                   The splendid waters of the Adriatic
                                                                                                                                                                                           around Gargano Natural Park.

I
   n Southern Italy, the land of Puglia   crowds, biking among the olive trees,        Back on the coast, private dinners          Holidays with no expiry date can
   remains among the country’s hid-       kayaking through picturesque valleys         can be arranged on the beach or at a        easily be extended with specialized
   den gems, with orchards of silver      or enjoying wine and oil tastings on         private castle. The team can also plan      yoga retreats and holistic paths deep
olive trees, harvests of award winning    land ...that’s real luxury.” says Teo        dynamic itineraries for small groups        in the woodlands of Puglia – the only
rosé, farmland that breeds sweet red      Titi, CEO at Yachtin’Puglia.                 including farm-to-table experiences,        challenge will be finding a way out of
carrots, and hidden grottoes consu-                                                    trekking around Matera, vintage car         this paradise.
med by aquamarine water. Whether          If you’re keen to explore the under-         rides in the Itria Valley, cycling in the
exploring on land or just across, Pu-     world, the Adriatic coast is replete         countryside, and wine tasting lunches       A full day of sailing and historic town
glia’s many-hued pleasures offer 800      with turquoise reefs and sea caves           in a private vineyard. “Of the experien-    visits, including prosecco and lunch
kilometers worth of coastal delights.     including Torre dell’Orso and Grotte         ces we offer, a highlight is the chance     starts from €4,000 (for up to 10 guests).
                                          Cipolliane. Sail to the Tremiti Islands to   to taste the food of Michelin-starred
                                                                                                                                   Overnight boat rentals with staff can
Enter Yachtin’Puglia, an onshore          dive in the protected marine reserve,        chefs, Antonella Ricci and Vinod
                                                                                                                                   be arranged only in advance and
concierge that combines its network       followed by a stop at Baia Delle Zagare      Sookar, who own Al Fornello da Ricci
                                                                                                                                   on-request. VIP services inclusive.
and know-how to offer specialized         for a swim and visit the Paleolithic sea     in Ceglie Messapica, a place often re-
experiences in Puglia, from the Adria-    caves of Polignano a Mare. On the            ferred to as the capital of gastronomy
tic to the Ionian coast. The team is      Ionian coast, the pace is even slower,       in Puglia,” says Titi.                                                                  Day trips on board a private boat in Puglia.
also well prepared to provide logistic    with never-ending lunches set against                                                      DON’T MISS THESE                                    Photo courtesy of Yachtin’Puglia.
services for yachts with an impres-       the backdrop of the crystal water and
                                                                                         A culinary experience with Chef
                                                                                                                                     HIDDEN GEMS:
sive track record, and leverages its      sandy shores of Porto Cesareo.
                                                                                         Antonella Ricci and Vinod Sookar.
deep knowledge of the market to                                                          Ph courtesy of Yachtin'Puglia
                                                                                                                                     · Grotta delle Rondinelle
offer tailor-made services across the     The day experience culminates with a
                                                                                                                                     · Episcopina Cave
region, bookmarking Puglia as the         sunset aperitif and Apulian tapas from
                                                                                                                                     · Ardito Cave (Cave of the nuns)
new luxury travel destination.            farm to deck, in this case, or direct
                                          from the depths of the sea. Guests can
You can rent a boat for the day and       stay on board for pre-planned dinner,                                                      Yachtin’Puglia
snorkel in silent blue grottoes, or       at the special service of the region’s                                                     Vico de Lubelli, 8
simply take the slow route, with a        top chefs, who sail in and hop on                                                          72100 Brindisi
summer novel and Spritz. “Visiting        board for the evening with traditional                                                     info@yachtinpuglia.com
popular destinations with the space       ‘pizzica’ musicians infusing a happy                                                       www.yachtinpuglia.com
to relax on board and away from the       and festive air.
                                                                                                                                     Kosher food available on request.

         12                                                                                                                                                                                                          13
                                                                                                                                                                                      Lakeside view in the Umbra Forest.
Excursionist The eco-chic
JEWELRY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             JEWELRY

Pearl of
                                                                                                                                                                                                      Pearls from the South Pacific are sown onto organic thread.

 the South
STORY BY E leo n ora B etesh

A jewelry collection of
simplistic luxury; sourced
fresh out of the water,
woven from the earth and
                                                                                        A long necklace made of organic
handmade in Bari                                                                        material and a cluster of baroque
                                                                                        pearls from the South Pacific.

H
         er designs have captured           style and character – no two pieces        husband has always possessed, in          Yet, they need not venture far to
         the attention of discerning        are alike. In the team’s humble            both creativity and dexterity. In fact,   find it - their motherland offers
         eyes, from the fashion world       studio in Bari, the daily experimen-       the creations of Mela Jewelry are a       inspiration in spades. “We are
to the silver screen, including the         tation of materials is a continuous        reflection of their harmonious and        children of this land”, she affirms.
likes of Mrs. Paola Fendi for whom          process and “a playful game of             magical union, which Mela descri-         “Puglia is a hidden treasure that
she designed one-off creations.             combinations and contrasts in              bes as “a natural evolution”.             with a bit of curiosity and patience,
Each piece evokes a simplistic              continuous evolution”.                                                               reveals itself generously. This is
luxury, as if the owner has always                                                     The natural and organic materials         evident in the abundant beauty, its
owned it. Specialty boutiques have          Each piece is the result of a four-        are of the highest quality, found         mild climate, its open-minded and
commissioned men’s capsule                  hand assembly line, and in a world         during their long journeys around         friendly people, in the cuisine and
collections and she has produced            that increasingly pushes towards           the world. They source the raw yarn       its crystal shoes - but above all”,
collections for respected American          mass production their craft is an          in Italy while the baroque pearls are     she emphasizes, “Puglia is still able
bridal companies, designing haute           artisanal treasure they intend to          fruits of the South Sea, the Pacific      to show itself with simplicity without
jewelry tailored to wedding gowns           preserve. The combination of rope,         Ocean and the Indian Ocean, va-           useless refinement.”
and event locations.                        pearls and gemstones that dance            rying in color and bathed in shades
                                            in the light is supernatural to the        of pink, gold, bronze and gray.           All photos courtesy of Mela Jewelry.
Just this year, the Museum of               point of fusion, as if it were retrieved
Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA) se-          from the seabed in one piece. Mela         From visits to exotic islands to
lected Mela’s new collection as part        explains that this intertwining was        artisan towns, Mela has discove-
of an artistic exhibition, displaying her   born spontaneously, from the very          red that the spark of creation is          LOCATIONS
work among those of living artists          beginning – it was never planned           everywhere, essentially guiding their
worldwide, in order to explain the          research yet it perfectly represents       creative process at every step. She        · Cheval Blanc, St. Barth’s
historical, social, and cultural context    their vision.                              describes the birth of inspiration as
                                                                                                                                  · Artisans - Toko, Nagoya and Osaka
of contemporary art. This recognition                                                  almost magical, arising from colors
                                                                                                                                  · Maison K, Santa Barbara, CA
marks an extraordinary achievement          The careful selection of linen, cana-      of the sunset, a physical sensa-
for the husband-wife team behind            pe, silk, cashmere, baroque pearls                                                    · Bocnyc - New York, NY
                                                                                       tion or random disorder on her                                                     The husband-wife team behind
Mela Jewelry.                               and semi-precious stones allows            worktable. “It is magically born as        · Elaine Hammond - East Hampton, NY     Mela Jewelry pause for a smile
Bespoke creations are the standard          the seasoned artisanal eye to be-          if it were always there waiting to be                                                       during a photoshoot.
at her studio, with compositions            stow depth and character to each           triggered,” she affirms.                   By appointment in Bari and New York
made to match a client’s specific           piece, a gift that she claims her                                                     Tel: +39 333 942 2154                       Necklace made of organic
                                                                                                                                                                             material with precious gem-
                                                                                                                                  Vicmelafra@gmail.com                     stones and a cluster of pearls
                                                                                                                                                                                    woven into the rope.
         14                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   15
Excursionist The eco-chic
HEALTH & WELLNESS

A League
of His Own
STORY BY C hristia n Koch

How one local entrepreneur
is distilling wholesome
nutrients from ancient olive
trees into a revolutionary,
bite-sized packet

T
       he oldest woman in Europe        velletri (Fasano), an area abundant      within two hours to keep nutrients
       lives in Puglia. Maria Giusep-   in UNESCO-protected olive groves.        intact.
       pa Robucci turned 116 years      Olivhealth is the brainchild of 35-ye-
old in March, and the secret to her     ar-old Cosimo Damiano Guarini, a         The result of joint studies with          An olive grove of centenary olive trees in
                                                                                                                           Puglia with deep, intertwining roots.
longevity is a frugal diet consisting   passionate Apulian entrepreneur          the University of Pharmacy and
of bread, tomatoes and… olive oil.      who undertook intense research in        Agriculture of Bari, Guarini states
                                        the design of this product. Olivhealth   that Olivhealth is the first olive oil    What’s most interesting about this           surrounded by Puglia’s ancient olive        follow for those who really want to
Not by chance, in her hometown of
                                        consists of oil that is processed        in Puglia to be naturally rich in         product is its high versatility and          trees, has also written several books       visit ‘Le Puglie’,” says Guarini. The
Apricena, she is surrounded by olive
                                                                                 polyphenols (antioxidants) that may       ease of use – you simply tear the            on his beloved culture and landsca-         entrepreneur published BikOliveOil, a
groves. The ingredient is a staple of
                                                                                 help prevent cardiovascular disea-        opening and drink straight from the          pe, always linked back to the olive         book that features olive mills, recipes
the region’s ‘cucina povera’ where
                                                                                 ses, with vitamin E to protect cells      packet, accompanying any meal                tree. “Puglia, always referred to in        and cycling journeys that pass
rustic bread and oil meet on every
                                                                                 from oxidative stress, unsaturated        during the day.                              Italy by the plural, ‘Le Puglie’ preser-    through rural churches, old railways,
table.
                                                                                    fat (promotes healthy cholesterol)     Olivhealth has been capturing the            ves a diversity of territory, traditions,   aqueducts, and magical olive groves
                                                                                      and omega-3.                         attention on a national level; Guarini       dialects, dishes and landscapes,            that will have you appreciating
One might argue that only
                                                                                                                           is working with professional sports          whose constant is the olive tree.           the age-old wisdom, beauty and
an Apulian could develop
                                                                                          Where most people drizzle        players in Italy to integrate the            In fact, the olive tree is the trail to     vulnerability of one of Puglia’s most
such a product. After all,
                                                                                           olive oil on their food, just   product as part of a fitness regime.                                                     important agricultural treasures.
Puglia is home to some
                                                                                            one dose per meal can          In addition, high levels of Vitamin E
60 million olive trees
                                                                                            guarantee the beneficial       makes it an ideal nutritional supple-
and produces nearly
                                                                                             effect of its health pro-     ment during pregnancy while the
40% of Italy’s olive oil.
                                                                                             perties. Olivhealth comes     Omega-3 count is ideal for childho-
‘La Bella della Daunia’,                                                                                                                                                                                              how to purchase
                                                                                            in small packets; a single     od development.
an olive native to Pu-                                                                                                                                                                                                Olivhealth is available online and
glia, is even protected                                                                     ‘monodose’ contains 236
                                                                                                                           While the olive groves are located in                                                      in strategic locations across Puglia
under European law.                                                                        drops of oil, tantamount
                                                                                                                           the countryside of Fasano, Guarini is                                                      www.olivhealth.it
                                                                                          to one classic tablespoon.
                                                                                        Guarini has intentionally          often on the road for presentations
Now, one local agronomist
and entrepreneur has deve-                                                            developed the product this           with thought leaders or conducting                                                         Explore Puglia
                                                                                     way so that while it retains the      research with medical experts.                                                             For cycling itineraries visit:
loped an organic, extra virgin
                                                                                 throat-burning response that true         Yet his knowledge of the land is                                                           www.via-magazine.com
olive oil sourced from ancient
                                                                                 olive oil must have, it is not bitter.    uncanny. Guarini, who grew up
olive trees in the countryside of Sa-

         16                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   17
Excursionist The eco-chic
wine

The Renaissance
 of Apulian
				 Rosé
STORY BY C hristia n Koch

It’s the “golden age” for
Puglia’s pink harvest,
thanks to top-ranking
vineyards and increasing
global recognition

W
             hich Italian region produ-
             ces the most wine? Tu-
             scany with its ‘trattoria’-
imbibing Chiantis? Piedmont and            Nino Piccolo Architetto
                                                                     www.ninopiccolo.com
its big-hitting Barolos? Perhaps
Franciacorta, accomplishing a
turnover of never-ending bottles of
Prosecco?

It’s actually Puglia. The volumes of
vino produced by Italy’s sunbaked
heel are staggering: nine million hec-
toliters in 2017 alone. That nearly
equals Chile’s entire output and is
more wine produced than the whole
of Germany.

Yet, until recently, many Italians
sniffed at the idea of supping wine
from the land of ‘terroni’ (peasants).
Indeed, most Apulian grapes ended
up fortifying table wine or being
blended into vermouth.

Today, it’s a different story. Puglia
still shifts huge quantities of wine,
but oenophiles across the globe are
now finally raving about its quality.
This is thanks, partly, to Apulian
winemakers better promoting their

         18
wine

Lunch and wine tasting setup
at the Tormaresca Wine Resort.
Photo courtesy of Tormaresca.

harvest online but, it is also due to                                                          with skin”, something Apulian
growing appreciation for its rosé.                                                             ‘rosato’ makers like to talk about
                                                                                               when discussing their winemaking
In recent years, the likes of the Sa-                                                          methods. This might conjure images
lento-based Leone de Castris, pro-                                                             of rubbing grapes into your epider-
ducer of Five Roses (the first rosé to                                                         mis like a boozy moisturizer, but it
be bottled in Italy) and Tormaresca                                                            actually refers to the grapes being
winery have been garlanded with                                                                in left in contact with the skins. ‘Five   selecting a wine to accompany food       his soldiers. There was one caveat:
awards, while also capitalizing upon                                                           Roses’ is made using Negroamaro                                                                                              ROSÉ IN PUGLIA
                                                                                                                                          is as important as your choice of        Leone had no wine bottles. Instead,
a global rosé trend (remember                                                                  grapes. According to Sicuro, “Five-        dining partner, Apulian rosés are a      he poured his elixir into beer bottles   Leone de Castris
2016’s vogue for frosé aka frozen                                                              six hours of ‘contact’ produces            perfect pairing for regional cuisine.    U.S. officers had left behind.           www.leonedecastris.com
rosé?). Could we now be looking at                                                             more freshness and acidity, and our        “Apulian rosé is good with risotto,                                               Winery with cellar tours & tastings,
France’s autre chic rosé competitor?                                                           light-pink color.”                         seafood, sushi and pizza,” says          Since that auspicious start, Apulian     wine bar and luxury stays
Adriano Sicuro, export manager at                                                                                                         Sicuro. “Many people view rosé as        rosé has come a long way. Today,
Leone de Castris, certainly thinks                                                             Indeed, Apulian rosés have a range         a summer drink, but if you can eat       glasses of these quaffable blushes       Masseria Amastuola Wine Resort
so. “Right now, rosé in Puglia is at                                                           of photogenic hues, whether it’s           seafood and pizza all seasons, why       can be enjoyed at the estates where      www.amastuola.it
the golden age,” he says.                                                                      the cherry-red varieties made from         not rosé?”                               they were made, such as Leone de         Winery with a restaurant, cellar
                                                                                               the red soils of the trulli-studded                                                 Castris. Elsewhere, former-estates       tours & tastings and luxury stays
Puglia’s pink harvest is certainly                                                             Valle d’Itria, the delicate peony of       Although Puglia has been producing       and ‘masserie’ have been converted
unique. The hot climate, sun-                                                                  Tormaresca’s Negroamaro-based              wine since it was colonized by the       into farm-stays and hotels where         Tormaresca
parched soil and occasional Adriatic                                                           Calafuria, or the intense coral            ancient Greeks, rosé wasn’t officially   wine tastings and pairings can be        www.tormaresca.it
sea-breeze has bequeathed the                                                                  shades of the 100% Negroama-               bottled here until 1944 when Ame-        arranged, such as Crispiano’s plush      Winery visits at
region with a distinct ‘terroir’, not to                                                       ro Versante Rosato, made with              rican general, Charles Poletti statio-   Masseria Amastuola Wine Resort.          Tenuta Bocca di Lupo
mention some outstanding grapes.                                                               40-year-old vines by the two sisters       ned in Brindisi during World War II,                                              (Closed 8-19 August)
The negroamaro takes star billing                                                              running Agricole Vallone winery near       sampled some of the pinkish wine         If rosé is the quintessential summer
here. Its literal translation (“black bit-                                                     Lecce.                                     of lawyer Don Piero Leone and his        wine, then it’s hard to imagine more     Cantine Calò
ter”) bears little relation to the fresh,                                                                                                 wife, Donna, were making for friends     apt environments in which to sip it.     www.michelecalo.it
perfumed taste of the rosés made                                                               The flavor of these rosés is no less       and family in the small village of       Yes, the sun shines brighter in Pu-      Go for the Rosa del Golfo
using this versatile vine. Negroama-                                                           exceptional, ranging from fruity           Salice. The man was so enamored          glia, but as its burgeoning reputation
ro is also great for “making contact         Harvest at Cantine Calò. Photo by Michele Calò.   to floral accents. In Italy, where         he immediately ordered some for          shows, so does its rosé.                 San Marzano
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            www.sanmarzanowines.com
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Sample the award-winning Tramari
         20                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        21
ARTS & CULTURE
                                                                                  Inside a private villa in Lecce.
                                                                                  Photo by Marialba Pandolfini.

Beyond
 Baroque
Story by E leo n ora B etesh

A tour of Lecce
reveals a palpable
sense of spirituality
beneath its architectural
marvels

T
        he Baroque architecture that   forty years of silence - no one mana-     tions and raised the flooring; guests
        graces the facades of Lecce    ged to enter the property prior to the    are encouraged to walk barefoot
        represents just one chapter    arrival of Beatrice Baldisser and her     and place their feet firmly on the
among many in this historical          daughter Martina Pisacane.                earth - even during breakfast.
city. There is a palpable sense of     A year-long, careful restoration
energy every place you go, and         process was required to understand        Beatrice’s aesthetic sensitivity is
local storytelling will transform an   the structure’s history, its logistic     uncanny. She has applied 25 years
ordinary walk into an enlightening     features and hidden architecture.         of experience in holistic therapy to
experience.                            The result is a warm and generous         design every single element in this
                                       space that retains the structure’s ori-   sanctuary of hospitality, with rooms
Hospitality in Spades                  ginal purpose as a womb dedicated         and suites each designed according
Located in the former quarters of      to quality time, rest and wellbeing.      to its distinctive energy and referring
the Sant’Anna Conservatory, the        In order to neutralize the energies       to the Hartmann Nodes to ensure
historic building was converted into   of the ground, Beatrice placed            the guest’s wellbeing. A ‘fil rouge’ of
a charming luxury residence after      micro-crystals above the founda-          services complete the experience
                                                                                 with homemade in-room snacks
 The entrance to a suite at                                                      and natural juices, an in-house
 Palazzo Sant’Anna in Lecce.                                                     restaurant with experiential dinners,
 Photo courtesy of
                                                                                 and an exceptional breakfast ban-
 Palazzo Sant’Anna.
                                                                                 quet made fresh every day, following
                                                                                 the purest biological processes.
                                                                                 What Beatrice has lovingly given to
                                                                                 reviving the structure has returned to
                                                                                 her in spades.

                                                                                 Noble is the Night
                                                                                 While the doors of private palaces
                                                                                 open to public in May (see page 62
                                                                                 of the travel guide), there is a more
                                                                                 interesting way to explore what’s

                                                                                                                           23
ARTS & CULTURE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        ARTS & CULTURE

                                                                                                                                   The Jewish museum in Lecce.
                                                                                                                                   Photo courtesy of Palazzo Taurino.

                                                                                                                                 Jewish Lecce
                                                                                                                                 During the Middle Ages, Lecce was
  Dinner party at a villa in Trepuzzi.
  Photo by Marialba Pandolfini.                                                                                                  home to a thriving Jewish community
                                                                                                                                 with active leaders such as Abraham
                                                                                                                                 de Balmes, a man of high intellect              The location of the mezuzah groove in                      Facade of the Jewish museum.
                                                                                                                                 who was also the sovereign’s perso-             Lecce. Photo courtesy of Palazzo Taurino.               Photo courtesy of Palazzo Taurino.
                                                                                                                                 nal physician. However, outbreaks
                                                                                                                                 of intolerance were frequent until the         discovered during renovations for
                                                                                                                                 ultimate expulsion of the community            the opening of a restaurant. The             BOOK A TOUR
                                                                                                                                 in the late 16th century, essentially          museum includes the story of the             Tours with the museum director (Prof
                                                                                                                                 ending Jewish life in Puglia. It was           community that once thrived here,            Fabrizio Lelli) can be arranged on
  Private lunch set-up
                                                                                                                                 only in 2006 that the 13th century             and ends in a dimly-lit screening            request info@infotab.it
  in a private home.                                  The hidden gardens of Lecce.                                               orthodox Scolanova Synagogue in                room with the personal stories of
  Photo by Maria Pandolfini.                          Photo by Marialba Pandolfini.                                              Trani was re-dedicated and opened              families who lived in Salento.               Historic Jewish towns of interest:
                                                                                                                                 for worship after being seized by the
behind closed doors – away from           combined with their skills, genuine         The tour offers an authentic close-up                                                                                                  · Soleto
                                                                                                                                 Roman Catholic Church in 1380.                 After the visit, it is easier to imagine
the crowds and at your leisure. With      life stories and love for Puglia, are       of people’s lives with local traditions,                                                                                               · Acaya
                                                                                                                                                                                the life of the Jewish community with
the help of local travel designers, the   able to share the experiences with          cultural heritage and healthy food all                                                    the toponymy of the Giudecca                 · Otranto
                                                                                                                                 Because Lecce is a city built layer
experience takes a more personal          guests. “Don’t ask yourself what            part of the experience. One of the         upon layer spanning thousands of               marked with bilingual Italian and            · Galatina
course with afternoon lunches, pro-       you want to do but who you want to          palace owners, the descendent of a         years the oldest part is buried below          Hebrew street plates in the neigh-           · Santa Cesarea Terme
perty tours and talks with the owners     meet,” says Pandolfini.                     noble family, offers architecture tours    ground, making remnants hard to                bourhood just outside.                       · Tricase Porto
of these intriguing homes.                                                            around the city with stories of Lecce’s    find. Located on the lower level of                                                         · Specchia
                                          Nothing on the outside prepa-               famous facades. The first lady of          the medieval Palazzo Taurino is the            While there are more pieces lacking          · Alessano
A custom itinerary curated by             res you for what is inside these            another family is a ceramic artist with    Jewish Museum. What remains                    than present, the energy that                · San Pietro in Lama
the Lecce-based travel designer           magnificent residences. Halls that          a personal collection of handmade          are the grounds of a 15th century              remains is intriguing, with enough           · Copertino
Marialba Pandolfini, CEO and              open into one another, and photos           ceramic dishware and décor who also        synagogue, the carved groove where             history to fill a library. Books are
owner at Tourango, can open               cover every centimeter of the walls         tends to the artwork on the walls of       the sacred parchment (mezuzah) was             available in English and Italian at the
those doors, revealing intriguing         of centuries before. The kitchens           the palace. Lunch, dinner and aperi-                                                                                                   Medieval Jewish Lecce
                                                                                                                                 placed, and ritual baths (mikvaot)             museum gift shop, as well as Ju-
personalities, moving family stories      are always a point of interest with         tivo with a menu can be planned with       originally built in the center of the Giu-     daica gifts and kosher Primitivo and         palazzotaurino.com
and untouched historic residences         guests curious to see what a typical        Marialba and prepared by the owners        decca (Jewish district) and adjacent           Chardonnay wines from Puglia.
still inhabited by family descendants     Leccese household really eats - it’s        or requested chefs. Together with the      to the Basilica of Santa Croce - all                                                        Palazzo Sant’Anna
who gracefully preserve their tradi-      actually quite humble. The gardens,         homeowners, architects and chefs,                                                                                                      Suites & Apartments
tions. Marialba is passionate about       surrounded by historic monuments            you’re able to piece together a story                                                                                                  palazzosantannalecce.com
her work, and is involved in creating     and archaeological sites, are a place       that becomes your own – an eye-
a community of local people who           where discourse, dance and music            opening experience that centers on a
                                                                                                                                                                                                                             TouranGo Destination Managment
specialize in what they do and            are often arranged for guests.              grand love for people and hospitality.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                             tourango.it

          24                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  25
                                                                                                                                  Inscriptions discovered during renovations.
                                                                                                                                  Photo courtesy of Palazzo Taurino.
SPORTS

The eco-chic
 Excursionist
S P E C I A L E D I TO R I A L

Unique experiences
where you can trek, cycle,
snorkel, meditate, fly
like a bird and then dine                                                                                                                     The ‘volo dell’angelo’ departs from
                                                                                                                                              Castelmezzano and overlooks the
under the stars                                                                                              Coastal trekking in Puglia.      Lucanian Dolomites and beautiful towns.

W
           hile luxury means diffe-     a combination of adventure sports,     Palude del Capitano marshlands.                             southernmost tip of Santa Maria
           rent things to most peo-     trekking, wellbeing and haute cuisi-   An abundance of fossils are left                            di Leuca, passing through quaint
           ple, the rush that luxury    ne converge to reunite, reconnect      from historic tsunamis, with cliffs                         villages, lush fields with abandoned
fuels involves feeling the rarest       and rejuvenate.                        and abysses that are home to                                trulli and prehistoric caves such as
sensations, accessing the unknown                                              flora and fauna. Going from sandy                           Grotte Cipolliane.
and forging a path that is uniquely     Coastal Trekking                       coast to expansive dunes and karst
yours. Beyond seaside and nightlife     Guided excursions along the Ionian     landscapes it is amazing to see just                        Hiking along the river bend
scenes, Puglia is an experiential       coast provide endless scenic shots     how varied the landscape is in this                         Just south of Matera is the historic
playground that beckons curious         of the aquamarine sea and a chan-      singular route.                                             town of Ginosa; on the ancient paths
and adventurous spirits.                ce to learn about the geological                                                                   along the banks of the river, travelers
                                        evolution of the natural landsca-      You can walk along the Adriatic                             can hike independently or hire a pri-
The following routes and activities     pe between Gallipoli and Porto         coast, starting from Gargano in the                         vate guide with excursions through
are suitable for solo travelers, cou-   Cesareo. The route passes through      north with its dramatic seascapes                           a lavish, green valley. Thousands of
ples and small groups of family and     the Isola di Sant’Andrea Regional      and lush forests, to the open plains                        years of human and natural history
friends, and even men’s retreats        Park, the Punta Pizzo coast, Porto     behind Torre Guaceto that meet                              remain here.
(an on-the-rise travel trend) where     Selvaggio Regional Park and the        the sea, and from Otranto to the
                                                                                                                                           Charming rustic kitchens dot the
                                                                                                                                           countryside, an ideal stop to rest and
                                                                                                                                           recharge. Master bakers recreate
                                                                                                                                           recipes by hand, and the delight-
                                                                                                                                           ful aromas of freshly baked bread
                                                                                                                                           merge with fresh-from-the-backyard
                                                                                                                                           olive oil and wine from the region
                                                                                                                                           of Gravina in Puglia. In the cool
                                                                                                                                           mountain air of Gravina in Puglia,
                                                                                                                                           hikers can explore the large ravine at
                                                                                                                                           the bottom which flows the homo-
                                                                                                                                           nymous river. Passing the labyrinth
                                                                                                                                           streets of Piaggio and Fondovico
                                                                                                                                           towns you can visit the underground

          26
                                                                                                   View of Torre Sant’Andrea in Salento.                                                Views onto Gravina in Puglia.
Trekkers and rock climbers        Snorkeling at Punta Secca (Isola
                                                                                               will love the challenge of the     di Capraia) in the Tremiti Islands.                                                Seaside dinner setup
                                                                                                        Lucanian Dolomites.       Photo by Paradisi Paralleli.                                                       with a private chef.

                                        Gravina with ancient cisterns dating    the lush forest in its majestic silence         and net. The beauty of this experien-     Yoga & Meditation                           lin-starred dinner at the location of
                                        back to the last century found only     and feel the rush of an experience              ce lies in its rustic simplicity; enjoy   If you’re seeking your place of inner       your choice or at the comfort of your
                                        here.                                   afforded only by winged creatures.              an early morning swim and the first       quiet or wanting to master the tech-        private villa. Alternatively, you can
                                                                                                                                coffee of the day with the sun’s rays     nique, the backdrop of centenary-old        also go on market tours and tastings
                                        Rock Climbing                           Biking                                          dancing across the horizon, fish your     olive trees is something to consider.       with the chef prior to the experience
                                        In the heart of Basilicata, the glo-    Biking in the mountain range of the             own food and head back to your            The landscape between Fasano and            to discover the rich biodiversity of
                                        rious spires of the 15 million year-    Terra delle Gravine natural reserve             piece of paradise with a sense of self    Savelletri, extending on the road to        the region.
                                        old Lucanian Dolomites rise to the      park you’re surrounded by sheer                 achievement.                              Ostuni and along the coast to Carovi-
                                                                                                                                                                          gno offers wonderful walking paths          Barefoot Dinners
                                        sky, with dramatic views and sha-       wilderness, while a tour around the
                                                                                                                                                                          surrounded by tens of thousands of          What’s better than breakfast in
                                        pes reminiscent of Trentino. At the     historic villages of the Itria Valley           Snorkeling
                                                                                                                                                                          ancient olive groves where you can          bed? Probably a barefoot dinner
                                        Via Ferrata you can rock climb and      lend a more picturesque experience              When the ocean lures you from
                                                                                                                                                                          seek the wisdom of ancient olive            on a stretch of beach lit by torches
                                        cross Nepalese bridges held by a        passing through landscapes dotted               earth’s surface, snorkeling in a
                                                                                                                                                                          trees, silent and graceful, and roll out    and the moonlight, with a local chef
                                        wire. Once the adrenaline settles,      with trulli, haystacks and vineyards.           natural marine reserve is a wonderful
                                                                                                                                                                          a blanket or yoga mat to connect to         cooking your favorite cuisine. Indeed,
                                        sample local produce cultivated in      Yet a night bike ride is perhaps                alternative. Down under, the tempe-
                                                                                                                                                                          your own inner wisdom.                      eco-chic barefoot dinners on the
                                        the surrounding farmland.               more suggestive here in Puglia, ei-             ratures are cooler, there is enough
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      ‘calette’ (inlets) along the Adriatic and
                                                                                ther preceded by a special aperitivo            space for everyone and you can
                                                                                                                                                                          The Stars Above and Below                   Ionian coast can be arranged with
                                        The Angel’s Flight                      or well-earned after covering some              explore the marine life. The Torre
                                                                                                                                                                          After a long hike in Matera or evening      the help of local travel designers. Lo-
                                        In Italian, hand gliding is known       ground under a starlit sky.                     Guaceto Marine Reserve organizes
                                                                                                                                                                          excursion by the sea, stargazing in         cations include Torre Colimena and
                                        as ‘flight of the angel’ and for just   Overnight options are available too,            guided snorkeling excursions, while
                                                                                                                                                                          a remote countryside location is the        Castel Fiorentino. Traditional Apulian
                                        reason. Wearing only a harness          with an early morning breakfast in              experienced snorkelers can access
                                                                                                                                                                          perfect ending to a day in Puglia.          music bands can accompany the
                                        fastened with security clasps           an exclusive location to prolong the            the reserve by boat and explore
                                                                                                                                                                          The only requisite is a clear sky or        experience, infusing rhythm and spirit
                                        tied to a steel cable, you’re sent      experience.                                     independently. In addition, private
                                                                                                                                                                          the light of the moon. Book a private       to an unforgettable evening.
                                        off into the open air, crossing                                                         travel experts can arrange day trips
                                        from the mountaintop village of         Early Morning Fishing                           where you can snorkel and dive in         astronomer or head to the Astro-
                                        Castelmezzano to Pietrapertosa          Early birds will appreciate a journey           unique grottoes. Special locations        nomic Park (Parco Astronomico) in
                                        in the Lucanian Dolomites. Finally,     to the open sea; take advantage                 include Grotte di Porto Cesareo,          Salento, close to the town of Salve.        MAKE A PLAN
                                        at 1000 meters in altitude you can      of the fresh still air and venture to           Grotte del Soffio in Santa Maria di       Back on earth, by day or under the          To book the angel’s flight:
                                        take in the environmental heritage      the depths with a local fisherman               Leuca, Punta Secca at the Tremiti         moonlight that guides you to the            volodellangelo.com
Biking in the Apulian countryside.      around you with the town’s houses       where you decide the catch of the               Islands, and Il Curvone at Santa          Milky Way, a private chef can light up      For private dinners and yoga retreats:
Photo courtesy of Puglia Cycle Tours.
                                        miraculously perched on the rocks,      day and experiment with the bait                Caterina di Nardò.                        the evening with a gourmet or Miche-        tourango.com
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      For cycling, snorkeling and romantic dining:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      tipicatour.com
           28                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 29
design

Present                                               Experience a fusion of nature, emotions and perfumes

  Imperfect
STORY BY E leo n ora B etesh

Artist Delphine Bekaert talks
to VIA about her journey
from Belgium’s contemporary
art scene to haute ceramic
design in Puglia

P
         erfection has long lost its
         meaning in a contemporary
         sense. Former art gallerist
Delphine Bekaert could certainly at-
test that, having changed her entire
lifestyle from the fast track in search
for something else - something that
gives life a daily voyage of discovery.

As the name suggests, Delphine
was not born in Puglia nor was she
raised here. Like many internatio-
nalists that relocated to Puglia, Del-
phine owned a successful business.
She was a successful gallerist in
Belgium, at the crossroads of cul-
ture, attending international art fairs
where familiar faces and business
exchanges were the order of the day
over the course of a decade.

Her connection to contemporary art
morphed into something completely
different, though. Love took her
on a journey, she gave birth to her
daughter Lucy and while on holiday
in Puglia, she found an old property
in a rustic plot of land that was to be
                                                                                        Available at the finest hotels in Puglia.
her home. So she settled down
                                          100% natural and locally-derived ingredients sourced from ancient olive trees and native grapes of Alto Salento and the Itria Valley.
and thought, “Now what?”
                                                                    Not tested on animals. Dermatologically tested. Hypoallergenic. Made in Puglia.

         30                                                                                      essentiapuglia.com
Delphine was fascinated - borderline      Descending the narrow staircase is
     obsessed - with glass and tableware,      like traversing into another time and
     buying one-off pieces at markets until    space. Fresh designs are set to dry
     she amassed a collection so vast that     on tray carts as they take on their
     it suddenly made more sense to crea-      intended form and color. Her style is at
     te them herself. And so, last year, she   once primitive and almost infantile yet
     bought an oven and stocks of clay         it is endearingly playful, aesthetic and
     and began experimenting - no formal       practical.
     training, no wheels. She scrapped         To say that each piece is made with
     the first 50 pieces she made until she    passion is an understatement: it is
     nailed the shape of her craft.            formed by inspiration most of us are
                                               obliged to find in a meditation app
     Delphine has a very playful and light-    during lunch break. The rural setting
     hearted spirit, and coming from the       generously offers magical landscapes
     art world it is quite a change. Anyone    with wallpaper-like scenery, the light
     who is someone in the industry knows      that emanates from the Apulian sky,
     that today’s scene is more about          and the sound of Nina Simone’s
     business and less about the actual        voice in the background.
     art. It’s one of the reasons that she
     is reluctant to build her brand on a      A team of women from the nearby
     global scale despite encouragement        town helps her to prepare exclusive,
     from prominent names in the design        custom orders that require three
     world. Looking down the stairs from       months to complete - a maximum of
     the ground floor to the cave, the         three orders at a time. Where white
     studio seems suspended in mid-air.        ceramic serves as a blank canvas
                                               on which to emphasize culinary
                                               compositions, special pigments that
                                               Delphine mixes herself, infuse joy:
                                               grey, light pink, yellow, mint green,
                                               and blue. Each piece - plates, bowls,
                                               cutlery, cups and coasters - is unique     All photos courtesy of Delphine Bekaert.

                                               and built to last. Delphine calls it,
                                               ‘honest tableware handmade with an
                                               edgy elegance and a unique twist.’            By appointment

                                                                                             delfinceramics@gmail.com
                                                                                             www.delfinceramics.com
32                                                                                                                                   33
The ‘Kubica’ wall covering from the Trame di
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Pietra® collection by TWS.
Architecture

Solid as
  a Rock
STORY BY I n bal S i n ai

Ostuni-based stone expert
TWS has developed new
techniques to restore historic
masserie and create new use
                                                                                                                               Le Pietre Mediterranee®
for stone                                                                                                           stone floor by TWS at the entrance         The ‘Tapis’ wall covering from the Trame
                                                                                                                                                               di Pietra® collection by TWS.
                                                                                                                                 to Villa Cenci in Puglia.

A
        n expert in the processing         transforms the stones in Puglia with           stone and marble to create new and                                 mainly for indoor flooring and wall          of oakwood tables covered with
        of creating natural stone,         projects in the U.S., France, Italy            unique surfaces.”                                                  coverings in bathrooms and spas,             TWS surfaces.
        Ostuni-based company Tipi-         and Russia. VIA contributor, Inbal                                                                                with delicate textures and light             “Raffaella and I followed each other
cal World Stone (TWS) has created          Sinai met with TWS’ Commercial                 Did you design this specifically for                               neutral colors. The micro engraving          on Instagram and last September
a flexible innovative technique to         Manager, Alessandra Calo, to talk              the restoration of masserie?                                       creates an anti-slip surface, where          when I was in Palermo, we met for a
create unique effects and finishing        about their latest innovations.                “TWS started with flooring for the                                 functionality meets aesthetics and           coffee. We discovered that we share
on a variety of stone, combining                                                          restoration of masserias in Puglia.                                beauty. We have recently introduced          a love for natural materials, passion
contemporary design with traditional       How was the Trame di Pietra®                   Memories and the atmosphere of                                     a new application made for furniture         for architecture and many personal
materials. The result is a collection of   product created?                               antique houses inspired our first                                  design which uses lightweight stone          experiences abroad. Our first project
stunning high-end surfaces applica-        “After years of experience working             collection, Le Pietre Mediterranee®,                               or marble slabs to create surfaces           was presented during Milan Design
ble for floor and wall coverings, with     on standard finishes of natural sto-           which aims to generate an authentic                                for dining tables, doors, and window         Week… with Trame di Pietra® slabs
innovations in furniture, too.             nes, we searched for an innovative             effect of the passage of time and                                  shutters.”                                   as tabletops in ‘Noir’ and ‘Greige’
                                           way to transform such elegant mate-            is therefore ideal for restoration                                                                              natural stone. We now have several
While extracted from different quarri-     rials while preserving beauty and              projects. Trame di Pietra® is desig-                               What inspires you most about                 projects in progress - two houses
es in Italy, Morocco, Albania, France,     identity. We developed a micro-en-             ned for the restoration of masserias                               Puglia?                                      in Florence and Milan, tabletops for
Spain and Croatia, the company             graving technology used on natural             as a new contemporary surface                                      “I was born and raised in Puglia,            restaurants in Palermo and Puglia -
                                                                                                                                                             surrounded by nature and 1,000-ye-           and more coming soon!”
                                                                                                                                                             ar-old olive trees. Masserias and
                                                                                                                                                                                                          TWS’s Le Pietre Mediteranee® has
                                                                                                                                                             trulli being old houses of the poor
                                                                                                                                                                                                          laid the groundwork for some of the
                                                                                                                                                             were made mainly with local stones
                                                                                                                                                                                                          region’s most successful masserie
                                                                                                                                                             (‘chianche’). However, they were full
                                                                                                                                                                                                          projects and leading hotels, as well as
                                                                                                                                                             of history, embedded with stories of
                                                                                                                                                                                                          restaurants and many beautiful cellars
                                                                                                                                                             culture, religion, and people, and are
                                                                                                                                                                                                          in the region. Ostuni-based villa Pa-
                                                                                                                                                             thus remarkably inspiring… that, as
                                                                                                                                                                                                          lombara Piccola is one of their latest
                                                                                                                                                             well as our continuous dialogue with
                                                                                                                                                                                                          projects and June 2019 will see the
                                                                                                                                                             architects and designers.”
                                                                                                                                                                                                          opening of two new boutique hotels
                                                                                                                                                                                                          in Monopoli and Manduria.
                                                                                                                                                             You recently collaborated with
                                                                                                                                                             Raffaella Guidobuono of ‘Lefto-              All photos courtesy of TWS.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    The tabletop design by TWS
                                                                                                                                                             ver’ design to present a new line                                                      and Raffaella Guidobuono of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        ‘Leftover’ design studio.
                                                                                                                                                                                                            EXPLORE THE PORTFOLIO
         34                                                                                                                                                                                                 twstone.it                                                                           35
                                                                                  Completed flooring project by TWS at Masseria Salinola in Puglia.
LIFESTYLE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                LIFESTYLE

People of
                                                                                                                         Mea Argentieri                            Then, like a runway platform rising
                                                                                                                         Award-Winning Writer, Activist,           from the Adriatic is the infinity pool,
                                                                                                                         Sommelier & Estate Owner                  dug from the rock. What is a private
                                                                                                                                                                   Apulian villa without its own olive oil
                                                                                                                         Italian-American writer Mea Argen-

  Puglia
                                                                                                                                                                   and wine?
                                                                                                                         tieri spent years looking for a home
                                                                                                                                                                   The estate produces its own bottled
                                                                                                                         in the south of Italy. One property
                                                                                                                                                                   extra virgin oil while harvests mature
                                                                                                                         had what another lacked, but
                                                                                                                                                                   in the wine cellar, an achievement
                                                                                                                         neither were ‘it’. At one point during
                                                                                                                                                                   that she is proud of.
                                                                                                                         the tireless and persistent search, a
                                                                                                                                                                   Having much to do never challen-
                                                                                                                         friend suggested that she consider
                                                                                                                                                                   ged Mea; it only inspires her further.
                                                                                                                         another direction. “There is a magi-
                                                                                                                                                                   She was a sought-after broadca-
                                                                                                                         cal place you must go to,” she said.
                                                                                                                                                                   sting executive in the 80s, and won
                                                                                                                         Eager to set her eyes on the plot
The stories, ideas and                                                                                                   destined for her, Mea followed the
                                                                                                                                                                   several Cannes Lion Awards for her
                                                                                                                                                                   brilliant writing skills. She continues
innovations by the people of                                                                                             lead to the land of Puglia.
                                                                                                                                                                   to write professionally, campaigning
                                                                                                                         Amid sixty million olive trees, lush
                                                                                                                                                                   for social causes and publishing
Puglia, from small town to                                                                                               greenery from coast to hilltop, terra-
                                                                                                                                                                   several books, including ‘Cowgirls
                                                                                                                         cotta velvet earth, and wild flowers
                                                                                                                                                                   in English Saddles’ with photogra-
the big city                                                                                                             blooming among crumbling walls
                                                                                                                                                                   phy by Veronique Vial (available on
                                                                                                                         made couture decades
                                                                                                                                                                   Amazon). The book tells the story
                                                                                                                         ago, the magic presen-
                                                                                                                                                                     of a grassroots movement that
                                                                                                                         ted itself. A set of historic
                                                                                                                                                                             saved eight acres of land
                                                                                                                         trulli built in 1640, left
Conny Paglianiti                         discerning clients - both local and       Viale Pola 70, Ostuni                                                                          to become a horse
                                                                                                                         untouched and vulnera-
Owner Amore Boutique, Ostuni             international.                            09:00-13:00; 17:00 to 20:30                                                                     facility, and explores the
                                                                                                                         bly beautiful, stand close
                                         Off duty, she is also a horticulturali-   Via Pietro Vincenti 2, Ostuni                                                                    relationship between
The owner and creative director of                                                                                       to one another. Huddled
                                         st, with her own fruit and vegetable      10:00-13:30; 15:30-01:00                                                                         women and their
one of Ostuni’s finest boutiques, the                                                                                    like a tribe of farmers
                                         garden that includes broccoli,            Open every day except Sunday.                                                                    horses – a symbol of
acute eye will instantly understand                                                                                      who inhabited it, suppor-
                                                                                                                                                                                    energy, partnership         for bookings
                                         aromatic herbs and a citrus                                                     ting each other’s walls
that Conny Paglianiti wears her                                                                                                                                                      and strength. In 2014,     meargentieri@mac.com
                                         grove. In fact, she is well known for                                           but retaining aesthetic
heart on her sleeve so to speak,                                                                                                                                                     Mea’s name was                @masseria_cacatosto
                                         her cooking and owned a restau-                                                 independence with its
with an intriguing sense of style that                                                                                                                                               among the Top 100
                                         rant named Acquasale, which                                                     unique coned ceiling. It’s
is evident in her choice of clothing                                                                                                                                                  Female Influencers
                                         was a culinary hotspot for years.
and accessories. While she seems                                                   CONNY RECOMENDS:                      easy to see why Mea fell
                                                                                                                                                                                      in Los Angeles. Her
                                         From the field to the fitting room,                                             in love with Puglia and
reserved on the outside, there is                                                                                                                                                      autobiography “My
                                         her appreciation for ‘materia prima’      For Lunch                             how Los Angeles was
a river of imagination and poetic                                                                                                                                                     Whole Life Came
                                         also leads her way of curating the        Osteria del Tempo Perso               easy to leave behind.
style flowing from her in spades.                                                                                                                                                 True” will be publi-
                                         boutique collection. Clients who          Via G. Tanzarella Vitale 47, Ostuni   The bond with the land
Her boutique on Via Pola in Ostuni                                                                                                                                             shed in 2020.
                                         walk through the door eye the                                                   took time, diplomacy
is home to a carefully curated selec-                                              Beaches                                                                         Her inquisitive eyes and
                                         collections with intense curiosity,                                             and patience to form. The ground
tion of womenswear, accessories                                                    White Beach, Ostuni                                                             volcanic spirit indicate
                                         browsing unique pieces and testing                                              on which the trulli sit proved stub-
and fragrances and you can see:                                                    Coccaro Beach Club, Savelletri                                                  that she is ready for
                                         captivating fragrances of the                                                   born, solid rock land with strong
she just gets it.                                                                                                                                                  more magic.
                                         highest quality. The boutique also        For Gelato                            energy that challenged even the
When she first opened the first bou-
                                         showcases accessories by Apulian          Pasticceria Del Ciccio                most creative plan. In fact, to Mea
tique 18 years ago in the historic
                                                designers worth browsing-          Via Armando Diaz 66, Ostuni           the restoration was exhausting yet
heart of Ostuni, there were no such
                                                somehow, each piece seems                                                cathartic.
shops around for kilometers, nor                                                   Favorite Winery
                                                to match every outfit in your                                            A chipping course and Boules court
was there an awareness of haute                                                    Visit Cantine Due Palme and try the
                                                wardrobe. Some of the bran-                                              are at the front, while a free-hanging
aesthetics. Literally built inside                                                 ‘Melarosa’ wine
                                                ds at Amore boutique include                                             tent around the back is perfect for
the grotto walls, the boutique                                                     Via S.Marco 130, Cellino S. Marco
                                              Compagnia Italiana, as well                                                bookworms and afternoon medi-
was open exclusively during                                                        cantineduepalme.it
                                             as fragrances and candles by                                                tations. At the footsteps of the trulli
the summer months,
                                             Clive Christian, Fornasetti, and      For Bookworms                         are the lounge and dining area with
and has remained an
                                             Amouage.                              Visit Ferdinando Salustio’s           indoor and outdoor settings to ac-
enchanting address for
                                                                                   ‘Libreria Bottega del Libro’          commodate changing seasons.
                                                                                   Corso G. Mazzini 10, Ostuni

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