The Estate

Masseria Altemura is situated in the countryside of the area between Torre Santa Susanna and Oria, where one also finds the spectacular Norman castle of Frederick II, the great Swabian emperor known as Stupor Mundi. Lying halfway between the two Seas that border the coasts of Puglia, the Ionian and the Adriatic, the Estate is situated in the heart of the Salento Peninsula and covers some 300 hectares (740 acres), of which 98 are planted to vines (becoming 150 by the end of 2008. The benefits deriving from this geographical position are absolutely unique because the maritime climate and the great intensity of the sunlight represent further favorable conditions for growing vines and other Mediterranean crops.

The present layout of Masseria Altemura is the result of the unification of the Palombara and Monteverde estates, which once belonged to the noble family of the Counts Martini Carissimo. The new nucleus of the farm has been completely restored, with maximum respect for Puglian architectural and environmental traditions and values. Also, the tall, massive tower built during the rule of the Aragonese for transmitting messages by means of pigeons (palombi: hence the name Palombara) has been refurbished. Nowadays five families of employees live within the estate’s grounds.