Orsara di Puglia, our anceatral home.

Orsara di Puglia for me is like the roots of the tree they go deep and feed all our branches no matter where life brings us, but somehow those roots bring us back to the beginning. The landscape is beautiful except for those awful windmills that ruin the beauty of the land. So adventure started with a bus much larger then we need for only 9 people, you would have thought we had a big tour group.  

I am always so amazed on each visit how much has changed and improved. The gardens are bigger, more olive trees planted,but the one thing that remains the same and is constant is the gracious hospitality of Peppe and his staff. We were welcomed with open arms. It was so good to see everyone and you knew that one special lady was missing. In true fashion Peppe loves to teach, as we start towards the garden we stop as he points out an olive tree that is 800 years old and still producing olives.

As we continue to walk he tells me that the Mayor Mario was coming to see me and that one of my relatives was stopping by.

The oliva tree- 

Mario the Mayor who gave me a plaque from the city years ago that still hangs in my restaurant today. He is such a gracious man.

Mario the Mayor who gave me a plaque from the city years ago that still hangs in my restaurant today. He is such a gracious man.

Lois and Don at the entrance of Villa Jamele.Kathleen enjoying a break
Here is Peppe's kitchen in the garden .Reminded me of my grandparents home with the grape arbor above the picnic table. And then we got to taste the grapes as Peppe cut some down. They tasted like white concords

Now Peppe takes the group in the field to pick vegetables for our lunch.

Entering the wine cellar as Peppe explains the history.

Everyone has to sit in the Sheep chair

Peppe with Mimma and Audi.....keep your fingers crossed we can make the import of his wines possible.

So as We sit down for lunch a lady from the next table says to Sylvania.....where is that lady from? So I tell Sylvania and then Lina said to me I thought I recognized you....We are facebook friends. Her family is from Orsara but she now lives in Tuscany.