A story that has its roots far back in time, because far back Don Riccardo Agresti has always been able to look: all it takes is a farm and many hands just asking to be used for something good. This is how the taralli of 'a Mano Libera' were born, thanks to the Diocese of Andria's 'Senza Sbarre' project.     We are in the Andria countryside, enjoying a beautiful panorama, with Castel del Monte standing out in the background, symbol of an ancient and true Apulia. Here we find the fortified masseria San Vittore.     San Vittore has become a place of rehabilitation and reintegration for dozens of inmates and ex-convicts with its ten hectares of land. The bright colours of the fruit, the fragrances of the vegetable garden, the sound of the wind passing through the branches of the olive trees are accessories to the scent coming from the kitchens.     Don Riccardo tells us that the "Senza sbarre" project and the "a Mano Libera" cooperative produce handmade taralli with quality natural raw materials and km 0. They are truly handmade, because there are no industrial machines to shape the taralli to the grains being processed: the busy and skilful hands of the operators move with precision on the counters and arrange those rounded shapes of pure love on the baking trays.     In addition to the classic fennel seed taralli, tasty varieties have been added, such as the one already mentioned with cereals, then the one with sun-dried tomatoes, which combines one of the most identifying flavours of the Apulian territory with a typical product, and the taralli with Nero di Troia: usually taralli are kneaded with white wine, while here one of the most acclaimed local varieties is chosen.     The scent coming from the oven spreads throughout the premises dedicated to production, which starts with dough made from quality local flours. The dough is shaped strictly by hand and then boiled, after which the taralli end up in the oven, the author of those fragrances that can be savoured well before entering the premises.     "a Mano Libera" was born as an alternative measure to prison, giving hope and new perspectives to its operators, but also quality traditional products for all the world's gluttons.     The proceeds from the sale of the taralli go back into circulation, reinvested to give other people who have seen prison in their path a chance at redemption.

Along the path that crosses the fascinating natural landscape of the Regional Natural Park 'Terra delle Gravine' one arrives at Mottola, a municipality in the province of Taranto called 'Spia dello Ionio' (Ionian Sea Beach) due to its panoramic geographical position that embraces the entire Gulf of Taranto and the splendid Ionian Sea with an area rich in natural ravines and rocky villages. In this enchanting landscape one encounters a genuine reality dedicated to the production of wine and grain.     We are talking about Masseria Liuzzi located in contrada Marinara, which now has a sales outlet in via Risorgimento in Mottola.     A combination of passion, commitment and spirit of sacrifice, whose protagonists are Marcello Latorrata and Barbara Lattarulo. The couple, who inherited the business from the Latorrata family, carry on, day after day, a tradition that has been handed down for four generations.     It all started more than a century ago with a different name, 'I Casidd d Liuzzi', with a cereal-livestock focus. The metamorphosis into Masseria Liuzzi took place with the transition to wine production on a predominantly calcareous land covering approximately 10 hectares. The quality of the products is also guaranteed by the altitude of about 270 metres above sea level, a good temperature range between day and night and adequate ventilation.     Masseria Liuzzi's wine is a product that fully reflects the Apulian territory: the vineyards are transformed into wine grapes by a natural process. The result is a primitivo with an unmistakable flavour, processed in purity. We are one of the few wineries in Apulia to treat in purity also the rosé, which at Masseria Liuzzi is a primitivo to all intents and purposes, as it preserves the same alcohol content as the red primitivo.     What makes the Mottola-based company's wines unique are also the names on the labels. Products that tell their own story. Starting with the primitives, we find the 'Marnera', which recalls the Marinara district in dialect, literally meaning 'land covered by the sea', the 'Tuppétt', which owes its name to a small hillock on the Masseria Liuzzi where the vines overlook the property.     The last on this list is 'Rosasso', whose name derives from the combination of the colour of rosé wine and the limestone soil on which the vines stand, in which marine fossils can be found whenever there is ploughing or soil movement.     Added to these are 'Scinò', a black malvasia whose name is a fusion of the malvasia vine and the word 'malvagia', a reference to that magic that in Apulia is immediately linked to the so-called 'affascino' and, to end on a high note, 'Bolloro', a fiano that pays homage to Frederick II of Swabia, a fiano lover who issued the Golden Bull in Rimini back in 1235.     Equally characteristic is the production of wheat, which takes place with full care in each of its phases. After periodic ploughing, sowing and harvesting, the wheat is taken to a pasta factory in Matera, where the traditional formats that can be found in the Masseria Liuzzi shop are created.     Cavatelli and orecchiette are at the top of the shelves, strictly bronze-drawn pasta using 'Senatore Cappelli' flour.      Depending on soil conditions, then, the farm's production also periodically turns to pulses, especially chickpeas.     In the characteristic Apulian landscape, made up of natural ravines and rocky villages, lies the soul of Masseria Liuzzi, which among oaks, olive trees and wheat, represents the soul of Apulia.  

"You have to love what you do to want to do it every day" With this love comes achievement!!!!!  In the picture you don't find the producer, the president, a leader. You find the cross-section of a community-our own!"   An almost 100-year-old winery and an area naturally suited for the production of rich and fine wines. These elements would be enough to describe L'ANTICA CANTINA DI SAN SEVERO (fg) one of the most dynamic and long-lived Apulian wineries in the region.    Telling us the story of Antica Cantina is Ciro Caliendo, the winery's president, whom we meet in the San Severo plant. Behind him, as has happened numerous times before for other historic businesses like this one, is a wall crowded with awards and recognitions, many of which are true historical relics.   The Antica Cantina di San Severo is actually a social winery founded in 1933 and, just as it was a vine, it has its roots in local culture and culture. It is no coincidence that San Severo saw the first Apulian DOC recognized in 1968, a tangible sign of a peasant and winemaking custom that to define millenary is reductive.   The strong point of the Antica Cantina's wine production is not only the synergic and joint work with its members who confer the quality grapes, but it is also represented by a thousand hectares cultivated according to a system of company certification and traceability that contributes to producing wines that represent the harmonious, joyful and elegant synthesis of the typicality of this land.   In the fertile Daunia, the dream of many farmers has come to life: to offer the consumer the sensations that express at the same time the pleasantness and passion that the land of San Severo offers.  It is the way to get to know our history and the culture of the land, toward which all the locals nurture a boundless passion, the same as there is in San Severo DOP.   {IMAGE_0}{IMAGE_1}   San Severo Bianco as early as 1932, was recognized as a typical local wine. Castrum San Severo Bianco is made from a blend of Bombino, Trebbiano and a touch of Malvasia. Rosso and Rosato round out the San Severo DOP offering. The Castrum Rosso is a wine with just the right structure. It releases aromas of plums and black cherry that blend with the floral of violets and cyclamen. Castrum Rosato" with its delicacy offers a fruity, intense bouquet with hints of peach to satisfy even the most sensitive palate.   With the Nobiles line we find the typical varietals. Noble and positively austere is the Nobiles IGP obtained from Nero di Troia grapes, one of the native vines of lands cultivated on the slopes near the Gargano. With its almost impenetrable color, Nobiles Nero di Troia has a full-bodied but refined structure and a taste of red fruits and spices that intrigue and intoxicate the palate.    

If we had to choose a shape for Puglia, it would be the classic and curvy roundness of the tarallo. Symbol of our oldest culinary traditions, with a history that spans centuries, the tarallo is the foundation of the Puglia Sapori company.     We are in CONVERSANO (BA), an architectural jewel with one of the most beautiful historic centres in the region. Founded in the nineties, the family-run company Puglia Sapori took its first steps in the local pastry sector, and then in 2000 began producing tasty savoury snacks.     Our guide is Roberto Renna, operations manager of the company, which stands alongside other companies halfway between the city and the open countryside, as if to convey a direct link with nature and its goodness. The skill with which Puglia Sapori combines the taste of its snacks with respect for tradition has become their trademark.     The ingredients to make tarallini are few, but of high quality, perfectly representing an entrepreneurial philosophy that has always wanted to keep the homemade version of baked goods alive. A company that has adapted its production to the original recipe and that, in addition to excellent raw materials, respects the preparation from start to finish.     It is no coincidence that Puglia Sapori is one of the few companies that still boils the tarallo, just as it was done in the homes and bakeries of yesteryear. As Roberto explains, this is a fundamental step that preserves the fragrance and consistency of the product, even though it makes the process take longer.   {IMAGE_0}{IMAGE_1}   The continuous search for the perfect sensory experience, combined with the typical crunchiness of the tarallo, has lead Puglia Sapori to produce a wide range of truly delicious specialities. The Classic Line offers, just to name a few, taralli with fennel seeds, simple with extra virgin olive oil, multigrain, with chilli pepper, pizza flavour, onion flavour, and a Multipack version, so you always have a fresh bag available.     One of the central themes of Puglia Sapori products is attention to health. This is why the brand has invested in continued research and development, and has accompanied the Classic line with Gluten free and Organic options as well. There is something for everyone in the Organic line. You can choose between multigrain tarallini (tasty but also light), spelt tarallini, and specialities with Senatore Cappelli durum wheat, all prepared with extra virgin olive oil and yeast-free.     “Just as good without” is the motto of the Gluten-free line, which has its own dedicated factory and a recipe developed in collaboration with the University of Bari. The goal was to find the right mix of gluten-free flours that would leave the taste of the classic tarallo unaltered.     We are pleased to say that Puglia Sapori has succeeded, offering their consumers options with buckwheat, quinoa flour, wholegrain, or legumes.     Tasty and enjoyable, for a delicious snack that tastes like Puglia from the very first bite.       

The destination of our journey is the OLEIFICIO COOPERATIVO CIMA DI BITONTO, a proud bastion of a thousand-year-old tradition in our Apulia region. We are in Bitonto (ba), a few kilometres from the Apulian capital, in the heart of Puglia's extra virgin olive oil production.     An expanse of olive trees as far as the eye can see appears before the eyes of those travelling through the Bari hinterland. Once there, we cannot help but breathe in the intense scent of vegetation, as if we were immersed in an expanse of centuries-old olive trees. After all, nature is not so far away from us here, with the lush greenery of the adjacent Lama Balice, a treasure trove of wild flora and fauna biodiversity.     Waiting for us is Pasquale Mastandrea, President of the Oleificio Cooperativo. From his very first words we sense his boundless love for this generous land and its fruits. The Cima di Bitonto Cooperative has a history of more than sixty years and with its 350 members manages to pursue the incredible commitment of obtaining the best 'olive juice' made in Puglia.     A commitment clearly manifested in the Oleificio's logo, in which the word 'Puro', referring to oil, stands out against the elements of nature. Sun, rain, earth and the fruit that is born: all very important aspects to give the consumer an oil that tastes of tradition. In its years of activity, the Cooperative has managed to safeguard the land and the farmers thanks to a synergic work established with its numerous members.   {IMAGE_0}{IMAGE_1} From them comes the promise to preserve the olive cultivars and to make the area in which they grow known. It is no coincidence that the cultivated varieties are 70% Ogliarola and 30% Coratina: both originate from the growing area and are processed within a few hours of their harvest.     The agronomic methods used by the Cooperative's members are inspired by ancient local traditions and those notions handed down over the centuries that allow the plant to grow healthy and robust. The pruning system adopted allows the best nourishment to the shoots and young branches, so as to obtain a truly exceptional juice.     Cima di Bitonto brand oils are all extra virgin. The decisive character of the Coratina is mitigated by the sweetness of the Cima di Bitonto and the result is an extra virgin oil that combines the peculiarities of both cultivars, resulting in an intense yellow oil with a balanced presence of fruit and herbaceous hints. In addition to the classic extra virgin olive oil, much appreciated for its medium fruitiness, in the Oleificio's product basket we discover the D.O.P Terra di Bari, a harmonious, slightly spicy extra virgin with herbaceous fragrances.     From organic farming comes the 'Biologico' extra virgin olive oil. In this oil, the olive, with its strong flavour, and the almond, which is more delicate, stand out very well and do not alter the taste of a dish but, on the contrary, enhance it as it deserves.    

In 1940 PIROTECNICA CHIARAPPA, an Apulian company known worldwide for the scenic beauty of its fireworks displays, was founded in San Severo (fg). Eighty years in business and four generations of entrepreneurs skilled in the art of light and fireworks displays make PIROTECNICA CHIARAPPA a benchmark in the fireworks display industry.   The company produces all kinds of pyrotechnics in full compliance with the safety standards dictated by the European Union and tests products following the guidelines of accredited institutes. The incredible craft of fireworks preparation is carefully and passionately handed down from father to son and has evolved to the point where it offers the public incredible and breathtaking fireworks shows.   Pirotecnica Chiarappa has lit up the skies all over Italy, bringing Apulian mastery to Europe as well, such as the numerous participations in Germany, Croatia, France, and Austria, winning numerous contests and receiving many awards and recognitions.   Separate mention deserves the participation of Pirotecnica Chiarappa in the opening party of Matera 2019 European Capital of Culture. The consequentiality of the images that suddenly appear high in the sky and that mix designs of luminous fountains, streamers that descend slowly, stars that burst dividing into many other little stars and so on, are all games that are not random but studied at the desk by real experts who know the secrets of pyrotechnics and who know well the effects of a certain path and how to achieve it.   {IMAGE_0}{IMAGE_1} The study is not superficial but very detailed and thorough. Like a director, Nicola Chiarappa, the last of the lineage, has to foresee times, causes and effects so that a performance can be executed planned in every detail. Not only tradition but also and above all innovation.   Chiarappa Pyrotechnics offers classic "ground" shows and radio-controlled displays, with remote programming and computerized start-up. Shades of color are obtained by calibrating and mixing various types of chemicals until the desired result is achieved.   It is a job that requires meticulous care of the products handled to ensure that each shade and nuance is exactly as requested by the client. As in all craft businesses, there is a meticulous method of preparation to achieve the desired colors and results: the "recipe" jealously guarded, has been handed down from father to son for decades.   Thanks to the family's creativity, experience and desire to take the spread of the art of pyrotechnics ever higher, Pirotecnica Chiarappa has opened a store dedicated to the marketing of products for all kinds of parties.   Between fireworks, streamers and gadgets, Pirotecnica Chiarappa makes incredible shows and performances that will make you daydream. Today Nicola Chiarappa holds the reins of the company to propel it into an increasingly promising future.    

In the heart of Brindisi, a thriving land rich in millennia-old archaeological wonders, the Cantine Pandora winery was born.       Officially, the history of the business begins in 2017, but that of its founder has somewhat more remote origins. The owner, Francesco Fumarulo, owes his fortune to the land and his work as a farmer. With pride and transportation, Francesco explains that his passion for winemaking began as a child, and then over the years became a real profession culminating in the creation of Cantine Pandora.       The establishment stands in the midst of nature, among majestic olive trees, grazing animals, long rows of grapes and vast expanses of fields. Cradled by the healthy, placid air of Brindisi, Cantine Pandora's grapes turned into excellent red, white and rosé wine are almost all from Salento.       Francesco's willingness to contribute to the growth of his area is attested to by a very specific choice: to use largely native vines of Primitivo, Negramaro, Malvasia Nera and Malvasia Bianca grown according to organic standards.       With incredible respect for tradition and the aid of modern winemaking technology, Cantine Pandora is now a successful winery. The bottles are a small masterpiece that encapsulate the hard work, the love of the land, the work in the vineyard and in the cellar and, not surprisingly, they can all bear the IGP label.   {IMAGE_0}{IMAGE_1}   As the legend about the ancient Pandora's Box tells us, uncorking a bottle from this winery is tantamount to discovering all the good and beautiful of the land of origin.  Wine, otherwise also known as "nectar of the gods," for Cantine Pandora has an actual connection with divinity, to the point of deserving names that recall mythology.       To one of the "kings" of Salento, Primitivo, is dedicated Zeus, appellation of the highest Olympian deity. Zeus is a purplish-colored red produced from hand-picked grapes in the area's ancient vines, soft and enveloping with hints of red fruit.       Negramaro and Malvasia are the vines from which the grapes of Prometeo come, another red wine made from historic vines bred to trees that give the wine a delicate, broad, intense and pleasantly dry and full-bodied flavor. Then we find Ermes, Negramaro del Salento vinified in purity with the traditional method, tannic and structured to the right point. To Athena and Aphrodite are dedicated two of the rosés, both obtained from Negroamaro grapes and with intense fruity and very balanced scents. Among the whites we find Gea, a Malvasia Bianca del Salento wine with a refined, structured and persistent character or the charming Era, created from Chardonnay grapes that stands out for its golden hues and fine, dry but harmonious flavor.       Cantine Pandora's flagship product is the red '71 IGT, aged 6 months in French oak barrels. Strong, generous and intense are its aromas, so reminiscent of dried figs, which in this wine produced from Primitivo vines give it an original and strong-willed character.       Wines that fascinate the consumer for their overpowering and vigorous content, just like the territory from which they come.    

The journey to Noci (ba), a small town in the pleasant Murgia hills where Cantine Barsento is located, is studded with natural landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see, breathtakingly beautiful. In this unspoilt territory, a winery was born more than fifty years ago that, as the current Sole Director Rocco Colucci tells us, 'translates the essence of Puglia into wine'.     Cantine Barsento is a lively winery founded in 1969 with a visionary mission for the time: to promote quality wines from the Nocese countryside alone. What makes this winery so special and unique is something that, once you cross the threshold of the establishment, you do not expect to find: about one thousand square metres of underground cellar dug into the limestone rock and 15 metres deep.     A true oenological jewel that amazes for its unexpected beauty, with its tunnels and perfectly organised cells that enclose true and precious treasures of our winemaking tradition. The function of the underground cellar is to obtain a wine aged in the rock cellar, ensuring that there is precise control of temperature and humidity.     The indigenous grape varieties are Primitivo, Malvasia and Negramaro: grapes chosen for their expression of territoriality, authenticity and specificity and whose quality is further sublimated through an exclusively manual harvesting process.   {IMAGE_0}{IMAGE_1}   Cantine Barsento's labels (they are divided between IGP and DOC) are not simply wine products, but are much more: they represent the passion for quality grapes and their bond with nature, the sole creator of the rare characteristics of each raw material.     Intense and generous is the Paturno, a ruby with a complex and at the same time sweetish bouquet typical of the Primitivo from which it comes, or the Ladislao, a pure Negramaro that is impenetrable, almost gloomy. It has mature, decidedly virile aromas, is aged in oak barrels and is a wine for those who love to surprise and be surprised.     If we wanted to give it a personification, Casaboli would certainly be a woman with an elegant appearance and refined intelligence. Made from Primitivo, this DOC is a wine of depth that blends its pleasantness with tannicity. Playful, fresh, sweet. This is Primitivo Malicchia Mapicchia, a meditation nectar of great vinosity on the palate, aged for a year and pleasant for any culinary combination.     Cantine Barsento's winemaking tradition also runs on the catering track through the Bamì restaurant. The mission? To fuse two incredible arts: the art of cooking and the art of winemaking and bring them together in one form, Bamì. The restaurant is located inside Cantine Barsento and espouses the concept of enhancing raw materials and dishes that respect the organoleptic properties of the ingredients. A concept that, if we dare say so, is clothed in sacredness.     The same that has always accompanied those who, in various forms, work the products of the earth with respect and devotion.