.: DUCA CARLO GUARINI :. Farming Enterprise

The perfect couples weekend getaway is available in Salento, Apulia. Situated in the heel of Italy, you can spend a delightful weekend at Duchi Guarini of Scorrano, only 30 km from Lecce. From Friday to Sunday, you can stay in the distinguished Doge's Palace and taste the delicious products of the Azienda Agraria Duca Carlo Guarini in the intimate surroundings of the 19th Century cellar. Whisper sweet nothings in the glow of the fireplace and taste the exceptional wines which are produced in the Azienda's 70 hectare vineyard - from the primitivo Vigne Vecchie to the negroamaro Piutri , from the black malvasia Malìa to the full flavoured passito Rarum. Among the bounty of delicacies you can find friselline (typical toasted bread) seasoned with delicious olive oil perfumed with citrus fruit, tasty aubergine pate, olives, peppers, sun dried tomatoes, onions and wild apples, as well as pecorino cheese and fresh ricotta, all produced in the masserie “ Francavilla “ and “ Calò". You can also try the fantastic new offerings, like the pickled de-stoned olives and semi sun dried tomatoes, by Le Masserie del Duca ; a high quality range created by the Azienda. Palazzo Guarini is a charming, meditative place; its 4 rooms steeped in centuries of character, with established plants and beautiful liberty furniture. Nearby you have the historic cellar, with wines that warm your heart, kept in the old 16th Century frantoio ipogeo, (the underground place where people used to produce olive oil), now transformed into a wine cellar. All around you is the countryside and olive tree estates of Tenuta Lucagiovanni, Raostino, Colmuni, Gaurini, Boschetto; all of them the property of the Guarini family. The rooms are sober but elegant, built with the traditional ceiling “ a botte “ or “ a stella", iron bedsteads and old household furniture, and the bathrooms are decorated with hand painted ceramics. A fascinating setting, in a quiet village in the heart of Salento. Enjoy the elegant atmosphere and unfailing hospitality of Giovanni Guarini and his wife Lucia. The history of the family has been traced back over a thousand years, descending from Ruggero Guarini, a Norman knight. The passing centuries have seen many members of the family upholding prestigious roles in the community, as well as entertaining many important people, including San Francis of Assisi and Gioacchino Murat. Nowadays Giovanni, together with his brother Fabrizio and his sisters Anna and Januaria, run one of the leading farm and wineries in Salento. They still remember their history on their product labels, which they have dedicated to their ancestors and famous historical figures. Their Boemondo primitivo is dedicated to the Prince of Taranto and the Murà sauvignon blanc wine honours Gioacchino Murat, the king of Naples, who was once guest of the palace Guarini and even engraved his name on one of their golden framed mirrors.

Holiday package until the 28th of March: 3 days/ 2 nights, breakfast included, visit to the wine cellar, food and wine tasting and basket with local products of the farm Le Masserie del Duca is 220 per person, double room.
Info and booking: Palazzo Guarini, Largo Frisari 3 , Scorrano (Lecce), Italy, tel. +39.329.6223916,