Masseria ai Pini

Coastal Country Villa in the Trees by the Sea

This vividly whitewashed outpost makes a bold statement in the coastal backcountry of Puglia. Like the traditional masseria it is, the 150+-year-old farmstead stands solidly on a hectare thick with olive groves and fragrant stands of pine, its crenellated profile echoing ancient architectural influences. More than 100 trees insulate the property—figs, citrus, almond, plum and pear, plus oleander, laurel, mulberry and caper and the aromatic pines that give the property its name and scent its sunny coastal air.

Historical origins can be seen in the dining room’s barrel-vaulted ceiling and the kitchen’s high, star-shaped vaults as well as in the spare white bedrooms’ soaring vaults, thick farmhouse walls, and classic stone floors. An upper-level office space can be converted into an additional bedroom.

Outside, a spacious courtyard extends the living space, bringing the property into the era of alfresco holidays and outdoor dining and lounging. A bright blue pool sits below the home, enclosed in stone and lined with loungers, umbrellas and an outdoor shower, while rooftop terraces extend up top, ideal for yoga or stretching out for cocktail hour, with views out to sea, only six kilometers away.

Around

Located down a country road that winds through classic olive groves, vineyards and fruit trees, this strong country masseria is only two kilometers from the village of San Vito dei Normanni, which is minutes from the Adriatic Sea. A great place to unplug and unwind, the villa offers privacy on a fertile hectare, with a spacious swimming pool and courtyard. In San Vito, arms’ width streets reveal classic Italian village churches, palazzi and even a castle along with a smattering of mom-and-pop cafes, bars, and restaurants. Ancient archeological finds have put the small city on the map, dating it back to 1800 BC, though the existing buildings are mostly medieval to Baroque. A Norman tower was the first part of the city’s dominating castle to be erected (hence the Normanni part of St. Vito’s name), and the Castello’s square tower is distinctive. An olive oil museum details the region’s agricultural legacy, and with the sea only minutes away, beach time can be anytime.

Exploration of the Torre Guaceto Protected Marine Park is easy from San Vito. And this being Puglia, inland exploration is a must. Head to Alberobello, Locorotondo, or Ostuni for thousands of preserved trulli and whitewashed hilltop villages in landscapes rich with wine, olive oil and farm production. The nearby village of Carovigno offers a huge castle and dozens of towers dating from its days as a thriving Roman port and the adjacent, coastal Torre Santa Sabina tower stands inside another coastal nature preserve. Further afield, hit the duo of Polignano a Mare and Monopoli for a day trip of excellent sightseeing and fantastic waterfront food options.

Location

Nearest airports: Brindisi (30 minutes); Bari (90 minutes)

Best time to visit:

April to October