In the heart of Salento, in the countryside of Leverano in the province of Lecce, stands Conti Zecca Winery, one of the most representative wine-producing estates in Puglia. For five centuries, the Zecca family has preserved a deep connection with this land, transforming tradition, passion, and innovation into wines capable of expressing the authentic soul of the Salento territory. Surrounded by sun-kissed vineyards and a winemaking culture passed down from generation to generation, the winery is now a benchmark for quality and excellence in Apulian wine.
Five Centuries of History Between Nobility and Innovation
The history of the Conti Zecca family dates back to 1580, when the family, originally from Naples, moved to Puglia and began extensive agricultural activities. Over the centuries, the connection with the land grew so strong that in 1884 Pope Leo XIII granted the family a noble title in recognition of their achievements.
The modern turning point came in 1935, when Count Alcibiade Zecca decided to vinify the family’s own grapes, establishing the winery in Leverano. Since then, generation after generation, the family has guided the company while maintaining a balance between tradition and innovation, leading up to the current heirs who continue to develop the wine project with a sustainable and contemporary vision.
Today, Conti Zecca is one of the most important wineries in Salento, with a history spanning more than five centuries and a production philosophy that looks toward the future without forgetting its roots.
Vineyards, labels and production philosophy
The winery extends across approximately 250–320 hectares of vineyards distributed between Leverano, Veglie, and Salice Salentino. The four main estates — Donna Marzia, Cantalupi, Saraceno, and Santo Stefano — represent the productive heart of the company, each characterized by unique soil and climate conditions.
Production exceeds 2.5 million bottles per year and includes red, rosé, and white wines, highlighting native grape varieties such as Negroamaro, Primitivo, and Malvasia, alongside international varieties like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Among the most representative labels are:
- Cantalupi, a symbol of Salento Negroamaro
- Luna, an elegant, fresh, and modern white wine
- Venus, an iconic and territorial rosé
- Nero, a structured and contemporary blend
The production approach increasingly focuses on sustainability, with integrated farming practices and growing attention to organic agriculture, in respect of what the producers define as the genius loci — the deep identity of the territory.
Winery experiences
Visiting Conti Zecca Winery is not simply about tasting wine, but about enjoying an immersive experience in the world of Salento winemaking. Tours, available by reservation from Monday to Saturday, guide guests through the production areas, from the underground barrel cellar to the bottling line.
The heart of the experience, however, lies in the tastings, designed for different levels of interest and curiosity:
- Classic: guided tour and tasting of 3 wines, ideal for a first introduction
- Selection: tasting paired with traditional local products
- Premium: a more complete experience featuring 5 wines and regional specialties
- Negroamaro Experience: a thematic journey dedicated to Salento’s signature grape variety
- Short Afternoon Tastings: shorter but still engaging tasting formats
Particularly fascinating is the opportunity to participate in tastings held in spaces dedicated to historical vintages or mini vertical tastings, allowing guests to understand how wine evolves over time.
Everything is enriched by local gastronomic pairings that enhance the wines, transforming the tasting into a true sensory story of the territory. The attentive hospitality and direct wine sales complete an authentic and accessible wine tourism experience.
Conti Zecca Winery represents a perfect synthesis of Salento: history, landscape, tradition, and innovation coexist harmoniously.
Whether you are a wine enthusiast or simply a curious traveler, a visit here offers far more than a tasting — it is a journey into Apulian agricultural culture, among vineyards, family stories, and glasses filled with the flavors of sunshine and red earth.
A place where time seems to slow down, leaving room for the authentic pleasure of fine wine and warm hospitality.
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