As we prepare to head back to LA, we think about olive oil, that quintessentially Italian product — we had never seen so many olive trees as in Puglia, it was astounding — and our visit to the masseria (farm) of the hospitable Signore Brancati, whose family has made olive oil for more than 200 years at their masseria (MasseriaBrancati.com) outside Ostuni, and whose property includes olive trees that were already bearing fruit in the time of Christ!

Continue reading Masseria Brancati: the Real Thing at Our Italian Table.

This elegant agriturismo — resort, really — is a magical oasis in an ideal location for touring the historic and fascinating Valle d’Itria in central Puglia. Each day we found ourselves torn between venturing out to the valley’s historic hill towns, each with its own distinct character and history — Ostuni, Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Cisternino — versus staying put to relish the sophisticated attractions of this exquisitely restored Masseria. Its convenient location made venturing out easy, but the pull of the property itself was strong too.

Continue reading Masseria Masterpiece at Our Italian Table.