In the heart of the most authentic Salento, surrounded by neatly lined vineyards, ancient olive trees, and the intense light of southern Puglia, stands Leone de Castris, one of the oldest and most iconic wineries in the Italian wine scene.
The historic estate is located in Salice Salentino, a small rural village in the province of Lecce that has lived in harmony with wine culture for centuries. Here, life still seems to follow the rhythm of the harvest and the changing seasons, offering visitors an experience deeply connected to the land.
Visiting this winery means stepping into a story that spans more than 350 years, where family tradition, innovation, and love for the territory coexist in perfect balance.
A history spanning more than three centuries
The story of Leone de Castris began in 1665, when Oronzo Arcangelo Maria Francesco dei Conti di Lemos founded the winery in the territory of Salice Salentino. Since then, generations of the family have preserved and enhanced a unique agricultural and cultural heritage, playing a decisive role in the development of Apulian viticulture.
Over the centuries, the family invested in large estates between Salice, Guagnano, Veglie, and other towns across Salento, planting vineyards, olive groves, and agricultural crops that still define the local landscape today.
As early as the beginning of the 19th century, the winery’s wines were already being exported abroad, particularly to France, Germany, and the United States.
The modern turning point came in 1925, when Piero Leone Plantera and Lisetta de Castris began bottling the estate’s wines — a revolutionary decision at the time, especially in Puglia, where wine was mainly sold in bulk.
Five Roses: Italy’s first rosé wine
If there is one label that truly represents the soul of the winery, it is undoubtedly the famous Five Roses.
Created in 1943 during the World War II, it is considered the first bottled and commercially released rosé wine in Italy. Its story is closely connected to American General Charles Poletti, who was responsible for supplying Allied forces and requested a large quantity of Apulian rosé wine for U.S. soldiers stationed in Italy.
To give the wine a more international appeal, the name “Five Roses” was chosen, inspired by the “Cinque Rose” district owned by the de Castris family.
Even today, Five Roses remains one of the most recognizable symbols of Apulian wine worldwide: an elegant, fresh, and identity-driven rosé produced mainly from Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera grapes.
Salice Salentino DOC and the great wines of the territory
Talking about Salice Salentino inevitably means talking about Negroamaro, the native grape variety that plays the leading role in the winery’s production and finds one of its finest expressions in the Salice Salentino DOC appellation.
In 1954, the winery introduced the Salice Leone de Castris, a wine that played a major role in building the reputation of the denomination and later accompanied the official recognition of the Salice Salentino DOC during the 1970s.
Today, the winery produces a wide range of DOC and IGT wines from Salento and Puglia, including:
- structured reds made from Negroamaro and Primitivo grapes;
- iconic rosé wines;
- aromatic and mineral-driven white wines;
- sparkling wines;
- grappas and spirits;
- premium selections dedicated to native Apulian grape varieties.
Alongside historic grapes such as Negroamaro, Malvasia Nera, Verdeca, Aleatico, Susumaniello, and Primitivo, the winery has also introduced international varieties like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc over the years, while always maintaining a strong connection to its territorial identity.
Despite preserving centuries of tradition, Leone de Castris continues to evolve. Annual production now exceeds one and a half million bottles, and the winery exports to international markets ranging from the United States and Japan to Canada and Australia.
Its production philosophy remains deeply rooted in the promotion of Apulian territory: every wine is made exclusively from grapes grown in Puglia — a choice the winery considers a strength rather than a limitation.
Winery experiences: tastings, tours, and wine tourism
The true charm of Leone de Castris is best discovered by experiencing the winery firsthand.
In recent years, wine tourism has become a central part of the experience offered by the estate, welcoming both Italian and international visitors through immersive journeys into the history, wine, and culture of Salento.
Guided tours lead guests through the historic production areas, from the old aging rooms to the bottling facilities, accompanied by stories about the family and the evolution of Apulian wine. Every visit becomes a journey through time, where agricultural tradition and modern winemaking constantly interact.
The tastings are especially memorable, designed to highlight the character of the region’s great wines. Visitors can sample several of the winery’s iconic labels — from Five Roses to the prestigious reds of Salice Salentino — often paired with local specialties, extra virgin olive oil, and traditional dishes from Salento cuisine.
For those looking for a more complete experience, the winery also offers the Wine Hotel Villa Donna Lisa, an elegant property surrounded by the peaceful Salento countryside. Here, guests can stay among vineyards and olive groves, enjoy private tastings, and transform a simple winery visit into a true wine tourism experience.
Another highlight is the Wine Museum Piero e Salvatore Leone de Castris, a wine museum that preserves historical documents, traditional tools, and testimonies of Apulia’s winemaking heritage.
For wine tourism enthusiasts, for travelers seeking authentic local flavors, or simply for anyone wishing to experience the truest soul of Salento, Leone de Castris is an unmissable destination.
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