Luxurious Italian villas perfect for wine and olive oil tasting

For food and wine lovers, a holiday in one of our exquisite Italian destinations promises an experience like no other. Imagine waking up in a luxurious villa surrounded by rolling vineyards and ancient olive groves, the air infused with the fragrant scents of the countryside. Several of our villas were once thriving wineries and olive presses and today they seamlessly blend historic charm with modern luxury. Staying at these unique villas allows you to immerse yourself in the local culture and traditions, making your holiday truly special.

We also have villas located near vineyards and olive oil producers, making them perfectly convenient for wine tasting and olive oil tours. Picture yourself strolling through lush vineyards, sampling world-class wines, or visiting centuries-old olive mills where the art of olive oil production has been perfected over generations. Our carefully curated villas offer not only comfort and elegance but also a deeper connection to the historical and culinary heritage of Sicily and Puglia.

Whether you're a connoisseur of fine wines, a lover of authentic olive oil, or simply someone who enjoys the best things in life, keep reading to discover our top picks for an unforgettable experience on your next Italian holiday.

Discover historical wine villas and olive oil tasting in Sicily

Villa San Tommaso

Situated a few kilometres outside the historic town of Syracuse, Villa San Tommaso features an old olive press wheel in the centre of its living area. The home once produced olive oil and wine and also functioned as a watch tower for an extensive 18th-century aristocratic estate. The impressive triple-height ceilings of the open-concept living and dining area, as well as the monumental olive press wheel, give the property an authentic charm.

Balù

Balù is an 18th century frantoio – a former olive press - surrounded by centuries-old olive groves and an organic farm that produces extra virgin olive oil. The villa's living area was once the old olive press room, whose high ceilings and generous proportions seamlessly blend historical architecture with modern comforts.

Domus Olivae

As its name might suggest, Domus Olivae sits at the centre of an extensive organic olive estate, and it’s also close to several excellent wineries in the southeast of Sicily. The villa features characterful interiors, a fabulous courtyard and garden, and scenic views out to the surrounding olive groves, where guests can go olive picking in the right season. The estate began life as a farm and still produces an award-winning extra virgin olive oil that is exported throughout Europe.

Il Palmento dei Castagni

A former winery, which has been restored to offer guests an authentic experience of Sicily’s winemaking heritage, Il Palmento dei Castagni is located just outside a village on the eastern flanks of Mount Etna. It is home to an original wine press, lofty wood-beamed ceilings, and a well-stocked wine cellar accessed by a secret door in the floor of the living area. Outside, guests can enjoy shady terraces and an outdoor kitchen with wood-fired pizza oven - perfect for a relaxed evening.

Masseria Gargallo

Masseria Gargallo features an original wine press in its spacious living room and a monolithic millstone for pressing olives in the garden. The charming original features of the villa have been retained wherever possible and have been combined with bright colours and contemporary features.

Don Venerando

Offering stunning views of Mount Etna and the Ionian sea, Don Venerando is surrounded by large swathes of greenery. The owners of the villa run one of the largest Mediterranean plant nurseries in Europe, as well as a fantastic winery on Mount Etna called Pietradolce, which is known for its exquisite wines. Foodies can enjoy fresh herbs from the garden used by the villa’s in-house cook, local food markets, and the surrounding Etna wine country.

Linera

Once a noble Etnean winery, Linera offers a luxurious stay with a touch of history. The refurbished Sicilian country house boasts an eclectic style, with high, white-washed beamed ceilings, original tiled floors and a number of comfortably furnished sitting areas. Offering Its two-acre gardens are an oasis of tranquillity and include numerous terraces and outdoor seating areas, and a shaded dining area served by an outdoor kitchen and a barbecue. Just say the word and we'll have some excellent wine delivered to your door so that you can dine in true Sicilian style. Alternatively, ask your Local Specialists about our chauffeured vineyard tours on Etna, and buy directly from the producer.

Italian vineyard villas in Puglia

Palazzo Ducale Guarini

Palazzo Ducale Guarini is a historic and beautifully restored property in the centre of the town of Scorrano. The villa’s owners are wine producers and have an 18^th-century wine cellar and wine shop in the town, offering guests a direct connection to the Salento region's winemaking traditions. Here visitors can taste local wines, sample the family’s extra virgin olive oil, and indulge in delicious food at the restaurant - a perfect cultural and culinary experience. The wider Salento region is also home to several underground olive oil presses that are open to visitors.

Casino Doxi Stracca

Set on five acres of olive groves and vineyards, the impressive Casino Doxi Stracca is based close to the Michele Calò vineyard – ideal for wine enthusiasts. Once an agricultural estate, the luxurious villa features gorgeous mature gardens, shady dining areas and a refurbished chapel with baroque exterior. The Michele Calò brand is available internationally, but you can visit the vineyards and sample a glass or more of their renowned Salentine wines.

Palazzo Bernardini De Pace

Welcome to Palazzo Bernardini de Pace, an aristocratic palazzo set in the charming village of Bagnolo del Salento. This historic villa produces a small amount of wine, with a vineyard located a few kilometres away in the Puglian countryside. Enjoy a morning dip in the pool and refreshments within the walled gardens, before heading out to explore the region’s authentic wines.

Palombara Piccola and Masseria Mangiamuso

Our two villas, Palombara Piccola and Masseria Mangiamuso, are located in Puglia’s verdant Valle d’Itria region, known for its abundance of olive groves. Both of these characterful properties are close to Masseria Brancati, an ancient farmhouse surrounded by Apulian olive trees. Masseria Brancati houses a museum dedicated to olive oil producing culture, and here the owners of the masseria have been producing extra virgin olive oil for six generations.

OttoConi

Set in an open landscape of wheat fields and olive groves, OttoConi is a trullo villa offering an authentic taste of Puglian living. Located about 8km from various wineries in the pretty town of Locorotondo, this villa is the perfect location from which to explore the many gentle pleasures of the Valle d'Itria.

Masseria Belvedere

Masseria Belvedere is a wonderfully finished historic masseria with views out to the Adriatic coast. As well as being near to the white city of Ostuni and Blue Flag beaches, the restored villa is near the wineries in Carovigno. Masseria Belvedere offers exceptional views of the surrounding countryside from its roof terrace and allows guests to enjoy a serene retreat amidst Salento’s vineyards.

Staying in one of our luxurious Italian villas, nestled in the heart of wine country and olive groves, offers food and wine lovers a truly unparalleled experience. Speak to our villa specialists about booking one of our unique villas and find out more about our wine and olive oil tours to book with your stay.