Castello Monaci Vineyards replanted since 1999 – winery locate in the heart of Salento.

An easy drive out of Lecce on the road to Taranto lays the sprawling Castello Monaci estate, approximately 375 acres of vineyards and ancient olive trees. It’s a real castle, and a big one. It started life as a monastery – hence “Castle of the Monks” – became a serious castle, and is now reincarnating itself as a glamorous agriturismo and event space.

Its line of basic wines, however, is anything but upscale in price, even though all offer a very respectable level of quality. If you’re looking for value wines, wines that are as easy on your wallet as they are on your palate, Castello Monaci gives you a whole spectrum of choices.

Castello Monaci is the vineyard, which is well-regarded with awards from Gambero Rosso and DueMilaVini for many of their wines.