Villa Presta – A 17th-century Salento farmhouse transformed into a modern retreat
Hidden among the sun-kissed vineyards and silvery olive groves of southern Puglia, Villa Presta is a living testament to the rural nobility of Salento.
The estate was first mentioned in 1747 in the Catasto Onciario (land registry) of Terra d'Otranto, when it was known as “Lopez,” in homage to the Spanish family who cultivated these lands. Over the course of three centuries, the name softened to become the melodious “Presta,” but the agricultural soul of the property remained unchanged: tobacco and durum wheat once thrived here, along with flocks of sheep and prized black pigs. Today, thanks to brothers Antonio and Giorgio, Milanese by profession but Salentini at heart, the farm has been reborn as an organic farm and refined retreat with six suites. Their idea was simple: to find a refuge from the frenetic pace of the city, bring back to life its authentic roots, and share this regenerating magic with like-minded travelers.
A mosaic of terroir covering 20 hectares
The private driveway climbs gently through twenty hectares of fertile red earth before revealing Villa Presta at the top of its low hill. Negroamaro and Primitivo vines march in neat rows towards the horizon, interrupted only by peach and pomegranate orchards, whose scents float in the sirocco wind. Century-old olive trees, some over four hundred years old, cast dappled shadows on the sun-baked stone walls, while the rotating cereal fields shine golden at the end of June. The map of the estate looks like a register of Mediterranean abundance: eleven hectares of vineyards, two point three of olive groves, almost seven of arboretum, five and a half of arable crops, as well as deciduous woods, mixed woods, and a freshwater lake reflecting the indigo sky. Everything grown here—wine, extra virgin olive oil, seasonal fruit, even chestnut and walnut oils—ends up in the villa's kitchen, celebrating a “farm-to-table” philosophy that predates the expression itself.
Architecture: tradition respected, comfort assured
The 17th-century farmhouse is the heart of the village and houses three of the six suites. Underfoot, time-worn slabs of limestone, known as chianche, with surfaces smoothed by centuries of footsteps. Above, barrel ceilings support exposed chestnut beams that give off a faint scent of resin every afternoon. Each suite combines period character with discreet contemporary touches: king-size beds covered in hand-woven linen, underfloor heating for mild winters, silent air conditioning for midsummer nights, and high-speed Wi-Fi if you need to reconnect with the outside world.
The Ulivo Suite opens onto a shaded terrace, your private observatory for yoga at sunrise or a glass of Apulian rosé at sunset.
The Malva Suite has the same layout, but its terrace faces west to capture the fiery sunsets of Salento.
The Melograno Suite occupies the former main hall, retaining an original stone fireplace around which a cozy sitting area invites you to tell stories late into the night; a double sofa bed adds flexibility for families.
Across the cobbled courtyard, the converted stables house three more rooms:
Mirto, Limone, and Mandorlo retain their barrel vaults and hand-cut tuff arches, with thresholds opening directly onto the herb garden, where the scent of wild rosemary perfumes the air. These rooms forego TVs to enjoy the sounds of nature: cicadas, distant church bells, and the rhythmic whisper of the wind through the reeds.
Among the former stables is a convivial rustic kitchen with a twelve-seat refectory table made from reclaimed maritime pine wood. An adjacent hall, once a feed store, now serves as a living room, whose cool stone walls offer a welcome refuge from the midday heat.
Life at Villa Presta
The morning begins with the slow ritual of breakfast. Hand-squeezed citrus fruits, warm pasticciotti from the nearby bakery, soft-boiled eggs from free-range hens that scratch around in the orchards, and ricotta cheese topped with Villa Presta's cherry blossom honey. Those who prefer to greet the dawn with a little exercise roll out their mats on the panoramic terrace for yoga, a polished cedar wood platform set among the rows of vines. Facing east, practitioners greet the sun rising over the Adriatic, a twenty-minute flight from the heron.
The day unfolds at your own pace. Some stroll along the botanical trail that winds through the estate's arboretum, identifying caper shoots, myrtle berries, and the resinous mastic tree that locals use to smoke scamorza cheese.
Others borrow vintage Dutch bicycles for a ride to the fishing port of Torre San Gennaro, returning in time for a light lunch of barley salad, grilled zucchini, and a carafe of cold Bianco Verdeca. Those seeking tranquility are drawn to the twin swimming pools, both expertly nestled among the native grasses.
The “quiet pool” has an infinity edge that slopes down toward the vineyards; its twin, closer to the bar, welcomes convivial dips and languid Negroni Sbagliati served on a lacquered tray. Between the two, a clay tennis court invites a friendly game before the heat of the day reaches its peak.
A retreat for leaders
Villa Presta has become one of the most sought-after locations in southern Italy for transformative meetings. The estate can accommodate up to twenty-four participants in single or double rooms, with support staff housed in restored shepherds' huts beyond the orchard. Two spaces dedicated to practice are at your disposal:
The Granaio Studio - a 120 m² indoor room with oak flooring, underfloor heating, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing rows of olive trees like living frescoes. Built-in Sonos speakers, yoga equipment for twenty people, and blackout curtains make it adaptable for sound baths, movie nights, or deep rest workshops.
The Belvedere Platform: 180 m² of teak planks nestled among Aleppo pines, with a 360-degree view from the Ionian coast to the Murgia plateau.
Vinyasa at sunrise, Yin at sunset by candlelight, journaling circles under the full moon: every practice seems amplified by the theater of nature. Between sessions, facilitators can schedule treatments in the Garden Pavilion, where local therapists offer pindasweda herbal massages, crystal bowl therapy, and Ayurvedic consultations.
From a nutritional standpoint, the retreat's menus draw exclusively from the estate's produce: detox broths scented with fennel pollen, spelt focaccia spread with first-harvest olive oil, and gluten-free almond cakes sweetened with prickly pear honey. The chef is happy to create personalized programs—vegan, macrobiotic, low FODMAP—with the same attention to flavor.
Exclusive experiences curated by Camisa Essential
When you book Villa Presta, you'll have access to an extensive catalog of personalized excursions created by Camisa Essential, our in-house concierge studio. Among the most interesting experiences:
Olive oil masterclass – Stroll through centuries-old olive groves with agronomist Paolo and learn to recognize the delicate notes of artichoke, tomato leaf, and freshly cut grass that characterize Salento's DOP oils. Finish with a five-course dinner with oil pairings under the pergola.
Primitivo night harvest – Join the estate team as they pick grapes by moonlight to preserve their aromatic freshness. The grapes are transported thirty meters to the micro-winery, where you can tread a ceremonial batch barefoot before tasting previous vintages directly from French oak tonneaux.
Baroque Lecce by bike – Hop on a private minibus to the “Florence of the South,” then cycle along the amber-lit streets on e-bikes, stopping for an exclusive tour of papier-mâché workshops and ice cream made with figs from Villa Presta.
Adriatic harvest and sea salt meditation – Meet marine biologist Sara at dawn to gather sea fennel, wild fennel, and wild purslane along hidden coves. Back at the villa, transform your bounty into a mineral-rich scrub for a guided mindfulness ritual beside the reflecting pond.
Sustainability and community
Antonio and Giorgio's commitment goes beyond aesthetics. Villa Presta is 85% solar powered; the winter floors are heated by heat pump systems, while a state-of-the-art grey water recycling system irrigates the vegetable garden. Bees are kept in hives made from local reeds, improving biodiversity throughout the landscape. Part of every stay funds scholarships at the Culinary Institute of Lecce, supporting young Apulian chefs who promote zero-kilometer cuisine.
The farm also collaborates with local artisans. In each suite, you will find terracotta lamps made by master craftsman Gigi Ciminelli, hand-woven coperta leccese blankets dyed with walnut shells, and ceramic pumi, symbols of rebirth, made in nearby Grottaglie. Guests who want a deeper immersion can book half-day workshops: modeling an amphora in clay, weaving a rush basket, carving a chianca, a wine cooler.
Celebrations rooted in the territory
For important events, such as intimate weddings, birthdays with many guests, or corporate events looking for a soul, Villa Presta offers a poetic setting. The former granary has been converted into a banquet hall for 140 guests, with glass arches opening onto a covered terrace that seems to float on a sea of vines. Civil ceremonies take place in the citrus cloister, with vows of love scented by azaleas and orange blossoms. The chef's team orchestrates banquets of peasant cuisine enhanced by modern dishes: orecchiette with aged ricotta, roasted lampascioni, and pistachio semifreddo with candied bitter oranges. Dance the night away on the lawn under garlands of Edison light bulbs while a group of pizzicatori play frenetic tambourine rhythms in homage to the folk...
The following might be to be paid extra: Airport Pickup, Continental Breakfast, Cook, Pre-arrival grocery service, Refundable Security Deposit by credit card, Tourist tax.
