In the heart of Puglia, where olive groves stretch toward the sea and centuries-old traditions live on in stone and soil, lies Tenuta Pinto. More than a Masseria, it is a family vision brought to life – where heritage meets modern hospitality, and where weddings become stories woven with authenticity, flavor, and love. At the helm are Domenico Pinto, who first dreamed of transforming the estate, and his daughter Chiara, who now leads its wedding and events vision with passion and creativity. Together with their family, they are redefining what it means to celebrate in Puglia: luxury rooted in the land, sustainability woven into every choice, and warmth that feels like home.
From Heritage to Hospitality
Q: Domenico, can you walk us through the moment you decided to transform the Masseria from a purely agricultural estate into a hospitality venue?
Domenico Pinto: We purchased Tenuta Pinto in 2008, a country house once belonging to the Alberotanza family, oil merchants whose history is deeply tied to Apulia. In the 19th century, ships from nearby Mola would depart for Venice, carrying lamp oil that lit the city. I was captivated by this land, resting on the first steps of the Murgia and celebrated by Puglia’s ecomuseums.
In 2012, we inaugurated Tenuta Pinto with one clear dream: to honor our land while earning the trust of our guests, always guaranteeing quality. We took our first steps with the support of the Antinori family, icons of Italian wine, who inspired us to pursue excellence. In 2013, we hosted our first wedding – and from that day forward, our journey has been one of passion, constant growth, and vision.
Balancing Roots & Innovation
Q: Chiara, in your role as event manager, how do you balance the traditions of farming and rural life with the expectations of luxury wedding clients?
Chiara Pinto: From the beginning, I knew that luxury weddings come with certain expectations. But our true strength lies in authenticity – in our rural soul. For me, it’s like conducting an orchestra: I let the rhythms of the land guide my choices, then refine them for a luxury setting.
We use local flowers, fabrics, and colors inspired by the fields; our décor echoes the architecture of the Masseria – stone, wood, terracotta – but always polished and elevated. My young creative team brings fresh ideas in lighting, florals, and immersive experiences, and together we filter everything through the truth of this place. A lighting scheme may highlight the stone walls, a menu might begin with herbs from our orto and end with a childhood dessert reimagined. Luxury here doesn’t erase the land – it amplifies it.
Culinary Vision as Expression
Q: With Chef Giuseppe Pedone leading your kitchen brigade, how does the Sustainable Mediterranean Diet influence your wedding menus and guest food experiences?
Domenico: Food is our deepest connection to the land – the very thread of Puglia’s identity. This region, with its biodiversity, offers an extraordinary foundation for Mediterranean life. At Tenuta Pinto, we transform this richness into experience: every dish becomes a bridge between our land and the wider Mediterranean, an invitation to taste its beauty.
Our Executive Chef, Giuseppe Pedone, is young yet visionary. He honors tradition while looking to the future, creating a cuisine rooted in scents, knowledge, and passion. His dishes embody identity and innovation in equal measure.
Chiara: Under Giuseppe’s guidance, our menus become stories. Seasonal produce from our garden – wild herbs, legumes, olives, extra virgin oil – is treated with deep respect. A course may recall a grandmother’s recipe, elevated by modern technique; a simple vegetable may become a work of art. We want guests not only to taste Puglia, but to feel it – the warmth of stone at dusk, the crispness of an olive leaf, the sunlight in every tomato.
Generational Perspectives
Q: Domenico vs. the “new generation”: how do you navigate the future together?
Domenico: As a father, I bring patience and the wisdom of tradition, the voices of those who came before. None of this would be possible without my wife, Isabella. She raised our children with values that now guide them in work and in life. Today, I watch with pride as they carry passion for Tenuta Pinto forward – bringing new energy and vision while ensuring continuity.
Chiara (with Nicole and Vito): We bring curiosity, experimentation, and drive. We don’t just want to preserve; we want to innovate – deepen sustainability, expand services, create new experiences. Together with my father’s wisdom, this blend keeps Tenuta Pinto alive and evolving.
Learning from the World
Q: You travel often to international wedding and hospitality events. What ideas have you brought back that shaped Tenuta Pinto?
Domenico: Travel is cultural exchange. It allows us to bring home fresh ideas, while also sharing the beauty of Puglia with the world. This dual flow – learning and giving – is the most rewarding part of our journey.
Chiara: International models inspired us to integrate practices like zero-waste catering, garden-to-table systems, advanced composting, and solar energy. Collaborations with research institutions have even influenced Chef Giuseppe’s cooking techniques, helping us preserve nutrients, flavor, and reduce waste. Each idea from abroad finds its own expression here, rooted in Puglian soil.
Authenticity + Luxury
Q: Many venues speak of authenticity. What does it mean at Tenuta Pinto, and how do you pair it with luxury?
Domenico: For us, authenticity means truth – to our land, our story, our people. It means no pretending, no chasing trends that don’t belong here.
Chiara: Luxury doesn’t always sparkle with gold; it can be subtle, present in details. For us, true luxury is refinement with respect – for place, for people, for environment. Here, authenticity isn’t a marketing word. It’s our soul.
Vision Forward
Q: Looking ahead, what is your dream for Tenuta Pinto in the next 5–10 years?
Domenico: We are guided by a clear roadmap until 2030. Tenuta Pinto will grow into a Mediterranean hub – uniting culture, innovation, and sustainability. We plan to launch catering in 2026, develop an 80-room hospitality project with two restaurants, and even create our own winery, offering immersive wine experiences. Recently we became a Benefit Corporation, committing ourselves to sustainability and ethics in every step. My greatest wish is that our family continues this path with passion and health, carrying the name of Tenuta Pinto proudly into the world.
Chiara: I dream of new services: retreats for couples, cooking workshops, seasonal harvest festivals, deeper ties with artisans. We want to give back to the community and weave sustainability more closely into every guest experience. Growth, for us, is about impact as much as beauty.
What Sets You Apart
Q: What invisible details make weddings at Tenuta Pinto unforgettable?
Chiara: It’s in the small things. The scent of basil from our orto, the warmth of stone at sunset, a server remembering a guest’s favorite drink. These details may seem invisible, but they create memories.
Domenico: And there’s our family presence – a greeting from me or Isabella, a story of the Masseria’s past. Guests tell us they arrive as visitors, but leave feeling like part of our family. That, to us, is true luxury.
Advice to Couples and Planners
Q: If a couple is considering multiple venues in Puglia, what would you say to help them choose Tenuta Pinto?
Chiara: Look for venues that truly speak of their land. Do they grow their own food? Do they care for their staff and their environment? These are the questions that matter.
Domenico: Choose Tenuta Pinto if you want more than a wedding – if you want history, beauty, and truth woven into every moment. Here, luxury doesn’t cost the earth; authenticity moves the heart. We promise memories that last long after the lights dim and the music fades.
Sincerely yours,
Tenuta Family, @tenutapinto.wedding
