Masseria Li Veli – Cellino San Marco

In the heart of Salento, in Cellino San Marco, in the province of Brindisi, Masseria Li Veli is one of Puglia’s most fascinating wine estates.

Set in a region whose history has always been closely linked to vine cultivation, the estate combines a long agricultural heritage with a modern approach to winemaking, with particular emphasis on native grape varieties and the preservation of the area’s distinctive identity. Today, the winery is an ideal destination not only for wine enthusiasts, but also for anyone wishing to discover the landscape, culture, and traditions of Salento at closer quarters.

The philosophy of Masseria Li Veli is rooted in the meeting of land, family, research, and expertise. The vineyards and winery thus become the starting point for telling the story of an authentic Puglia—one that looks to the future without abandoning its roots.

The history of Masseria Li Veli

The history of Masseria Li Veli is deeply rooted in a land with a thousand-year-old tradition, as evidenced by the ancient caves, engravings, and the historic road known as the “Limite dei Greci” (“Boundary of the Greeks”), which still runs through the vineyards today.

At the end of the nineteenth century, Marquis Antonio de Viti de Marco transformed the masseria into an innovative agricultural and winemaking estate, turning it into an important center for experimentation and wine production. For several years, Li Veli became a benchmark for Puglian viticulture, thanks to a vision based on innovation, research, and the enhancement of local resources.

Following its acquisition in 1999 by a group led by Avignonesi, the estate passed to brothers Edoardo and Alfredo Falvo in 2008, marking the beginning of a new chapter of growth and development. Today, the historic winery, built in carparo—the traditional local limestone—retains the charm of the past while incorporating modern technologies and a strong focus on energy efficiency. This includes a photovoltaic system, reflecting the estate’s commitment to efficiency and the use of renewable energy.

Production and famous labels

Masseria Li Veli’s production focuses on the native grape varieties of Puglia and the region’s rich winemaking heritage.

One of its most significant projects is Askos, dedicated to the research, selection, and preservation of native Puglian grape varieties at risk of extinction. The name refers to the ancient askos, a vessel used in the Greek world, and the project currently includes four interpretations: Askos Malvasia Nera, Askos Susumaniello, Askos Verdeca,and Askos Susumaniello Rosato.

Among the winery’s most notable labels are also MLV Salento IGT Primitivo, Pezzo Morgana Salice Salentino DOC Riserva, and Le Cerrate Primitivo di Manduria DOC. These wines showcase some of Salento’s most representative grape varieties and offer an opportunity to appreciate the different expressions of Li Veli’s winemaking.

The winery’s work with Susumaniello, a traditional grape variety of the area, is particularly noteworthy. Li Veli interprets it both as a red wine and as a rosé. Askos Susumaniello, for example, is made from vineyards more than twenty years old and is fermented and aged in wood, while the rosé version focuses on freshness, minerality, and a distinctly maritime character.

Wine Tastings and Tours

Visiting Masseria Li Veli means entering the world of winemaking by starting directly from the place where everything begins. The winery’s tours take guests through the history of the masseria, the surrounding vineyards, and the production facilities, offering an insight into the various stages through which grapes make their journey from harvest to bottle.

During the tour, guests are introduced to the processes of grape harvesting, vinification, ageing, and bottling, with an explanation that connects winemaking techniques to the characteristics of the grape varieties and the local terroir. The experience concludes with a tasting of the current vintages, featuring a representative selection of the estate’s wines.

For those wishing to make the tasting an even more authentic expression of Salento’s culinary traditions, the winery also offers an experience accompanied by a selection of typical local delicacies, including fresh and aged cheeses, capocollo cured meat, friselline topped with seasonal vegetables, stuffed focaccia, olives, and taralli. The wines are thus paired with some of the most characteristic flavors of Puglian cuisine.

Masseria Li Veli is much more than a winery: it is a place where history, landscape, and wine culture come together.

Its focus on native grape varieties, the Askos project, its commitment to sustainability, and its wine-tasting experiences make Li Veli an interesting destination for anyone wishing to discover Salento through one of its most distinctive products: wine. A visit to the masseria offers the opportunity not only to discover its wines, but above all to understand the land and history behind every bottle.