The Festival of San Martino

​In Puglia the people give great respect to the land and its produce. Ingredients are respected and new seasons are greeted with enthusiasm for the new produce and flavours that they bring.
Agriculture in Puglia has been the main activity of its inhabitants since the Greeks. In traditional Masseria’s the land is cultivated in respect of the most ancient traditions with most using only organic farming methods.
On 11 November, the Feast of San Martino is celebrated. It is an important anniversary that unites the Christian liturgy with the rural tradition linked to the opening of the barrels of new wine and the pleasures of good food.
The Feast of St. Martin of November 11th is a very heartfelt anniversary in many Italian towns and cities, so much so that even Giosuè Carducci was inspired by this date - which in many areas was a non-working day - to compose one of his most famous poems San Martino.

​THE FESTIVAL OF SAN MARTINO
Just as his life between the countryside and the lower classes, the cult of San Martino is closely linked to rituals and customs of the rural tradition.
On the same day of San Martino it falls precisely in a period of great ferment for the rural world.
In these days in fact in the vineyards the barrels open for the first tastings of the "new" wine (hence the saying: "in San Martino every must becomes wine") and in antiquity it was common practice to renew agricultural contracts and hold large fairs of livestock.
November 11th is also known as the Summer of San Martino, since usually in that week of autumn it becomes milder and it is not uncommon to encounter very sunny days.
In short, the Feast of San Martino is an opportunity not only to glorify the saint, but also to celebrate the fruits of the earth and the abundance of good food.
In addition to filling the glasses in fact, in San Martino fill the bellies, especially in a country with a varied culinary tradition like Italy.
Grilled meat and roasted chestnuts, pittule and wine in Salento and typical biscuits in Palermo: the whole of Italy is at the table for San Martino.
The flavours that come from such traditions have to be tasted to be believed.  It can’t be argued that good food and good humour go hand in hand.
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