The story of Dimore Ceddhe began in 2003 with an ambitious challenge: to bring life and fertility back to an abandoned countryside, overgrown with vegetation and silence. When we first visited the property with our family on summer afternoons, after working at sea in our parents’ boat, we could hardly imagine what we could make of those stones, hidden among brambles and ancient walls.
The area of Ceddhe, known since the mid-19th century together with the nearby Canale del Fano for its vineyards, was home to three now-ruined structures. Some were used as stables for animals, others for wine production, featuring massive central stones with side channels—ancient “parmenti.” The vaulted ceilings at the center of each building had survived, while the roofs of the lateral wings had collapsed, leaving traces of the large beams that once supported wooden and straw roofs.
The renovation was long and complex: we decided to respect the original spaces as much as possible, which required careful planning and rethinking of each environment. To perfectly fit the interiors, the furnishings were handcrafted by one of the last master shipwrights of Gallipoli, a disappearing craft, combining functionality, beauty, and respect for tradition.
During the restoration, nature challenged us again: with the arrival of Xylella in Puglia, all the olive trees on the property were affected, and we had to remove and burn them, facing great emotional and financial sacrifices. Today, we are slowly replanting the olive trees, bringing back to life an essential part of the Salento countryside.
Today our estate spreads across 12 hectares of unspoiled nature, with sun-drenched vineyards, olive groves, and fields that change color with the seasons. Near the swimming pool, we have planted a small orchard, which will grow over time, adding scents and colors to the landscape.
Walking among the vineyards, trees, and open spaces, you can feel the slow rhythm of the Salento countryside, the fragrance of the earth and wildflowers, and the beauty of a landscape that blends nature, history, and absolute tranquility.
