Private Trip to the Vineyards of Ginosa with tasting from Matera

Ginosa gives you a quick look at rural Puglia without requiring a full day away from Matera. The private van ride takes about an hour each way, leaving time for a small winery, its surrounding vineyards and olive groves, and a tasting of local wines with regional snacks. The setting is the main attraction: quiet country roads, old agricultural traditions, and a family-run scale rather than a large commercial estate.

I like the private transportation, since you can enjoy the wine without worrying about driving back to Matera. I also like the chance to pair the tasting with a walk through the vineyards and olive groves, rather than sitting indoors for the entire visit. The main drawback is that the winery is small, so the production tour may feel brief if you expect a large estate or a long technical explanation.

Key points to know

• A private four-hour outing: Only your group participates, with transportation from Matera and return to the same meeting point.
• One hour each way: Much of the tour is spent traveling between Matera and Ginosa, so the appeal depends on how much you value the countryside setting.
• A small winery experience: The cellar and production area can be covered in about 45 minutes, making this more intimate than grand.
• Vineyards and old olive groves: A separate 45-minute walk gives you time outdoors among the agricultural scenery.
• Wine with local snacks: The final tasting includes several wines paired with regional products.
• A practical half-day choice: The tour leaves room in your schedule for more time in Matera afterward.

From Matera to Ginosa by private van

The tour begins at Martulli Viaggi, at Via Alessandro Volta 3/5 in Matera. A private, air-conditioned van takes you to Ginosa, with about an hour of travel in each direction.

That transfer is not just a means of getting from one place to another. It gives you a change of pace from Matera’s stone lanes and cave dwellings to the open countryside of the Puglian interior. You can sit back and watch the scenery pass by while someone else handles the road. For a wine outing, this matters. You will not need to limit your tasting because you have to drive.

The trip starts in the morning, which is useful if you want to keep the afternoon free. The total schedule is about four hours, so this is a manageable addition to a Matera stay rather than an all-day commitment. You return to the same meeting point after the tasting.

One practical note: the drive is a substantial part of the experience. About half of the scheduled time is spent traveling to and from Ginosa. I would book it for the access to the winery and countryside, not simply for a tasting close to Matera.

A small Ginosa winery with a personal scale

At the winery, a local expert explains how the producer makes its wine. You can expect an introduction to the cellar and production facilities, followed by an explanation of the traditions and care behind the bottles.

The winery is described as small, and that shapes the visit. You are not walking through a huge industrial operation with a long series of rooms. Instead, the production area can take around 45 minutes to see. That shorter visit may suit you if you want a clear introduction without a technical lecture that goes on too long.

A small operation can also make the agricultural side easier to appreciate. The wine is connected directly to the nearby vines, olive trees, and local food on the table. The experience is less about machinery and scale, and more about how a regional producer works within its setting.

The family who owns the property has been described as lovely, which adds a warm human element to the stop. Still, it is best to set your expectations correctly. If you have toured famous estates in Tuscany or visited large modern wineries, this will feel modest. The attraction is its family character, not an elaborate visitor center.

Walking among vines and centuries-old olive trees

After the cellar visit, you spend about 45 minutes outside in the vineyards around the winery. The walk gives you a chance to see the setting that supports the wine rather than only hearing about it indoors.

The surrounding olive groves are described as centuries old. That detail adds weight to the visit. You are looking at agricultural traditions that have shaped Puglia for generations, not simply a newly planted field designed for visitors. The combination of vines and olive trees is especially useful for understanding how closely wine and food are linked in this part of Italy.

The walk also breaks up the drive and cellar presentation. You will have time to enjoy the views, take photographs, and connect the tasting to the soil and crops around you. The route is not described in detail, so you should not expect a demanding hike or a long rural trek. It is a short stroll tied to the winery visit.

Weather matters here. The tour requires good conditions, and this portion is most enjoyable when you can comfortably be outdoors. Wear practical shoes and clothing suited to a vineyard walk, but do not plan on a strenuous excursion.

The final tasting: Puglian wine and local snacks

The tasting lasts about 30 minutes and features the winery’s finest selections, paired with local snacks. The food is included, but a full lunch or dinner is not.

That distinction is important. The tasting is intended as a conclusion to the winery visit, not a meal. You get the chance to compare wines and notice how the local products affect their flavors. If you are hungry after a morning transfer and walk, plan to eat separately before or after the tour.

The pairing also gives the tasting a stronger sense of place. You are not sampling wine in isolation. Local snacks connect the bottles to Puglian food traditions and make the stop feel more like a regional introduction than a simple drink service.

The short tasting should suit anyone who wants a focused experience. Wine enthusiasts looking for a long guided tasting, detailed vintage comparisons, or a large number of pours may find 30 minutes limited. For a half-day excursion, though, the timing keeps the outing moving and leaves you with time to enjoy Matera later.

What the $227.49 price means

At $227.49 per person, this is not the cheapest way to taste wine near Matera. The price makes more sense when you consider what is bundled into the experience: private transportation, an air-conditioned vehicle, a private group setting, a guided cellar and vineyard visit, wine tasting, and local snacks.

You are paying for convenience as much as for the wine. Getting from Matera to Ginosa independently would require arranging transportation and finding your way to the winery. Here, the route, timing, and return trip are handled for you. The private format also means you are not placed in a larger mixed group.

Value depends heavily on group size. If you are traveling with family or friends, group discounts may improve the overall price. A private trip can be especially appealing when different people in your group want a relaxed pace and direct transportation rather than a standard shared excursion.

The price is harder to justify if your main goal is simply to buy or sample wine. In that case, a local wine bar in Matera may cost less and take less time. This outing earns its price through the countryside visit, the producer connection, and the private ride.

The private format and the pace of the day

Only your group participates, which gives the outing a more personal feel than a standard bus tour. You can spend the morning with your own companions and avoid adjusting to a large party’s pace.

The private format does not mean the visit is fully flexible. The planned sequence is fairly set: one hour to Ginosa, about 45 minutes at the winery, 45 minutes in the vineyards, 30 minutes tasting, and one hour back to Matera. The fixed structure helps keep the half-day on schedule, but you should not expect unlimited time at each stop.

There has been a reported pickup delay of about 15 minutes. That is worth keeping in mind if you have another timed activity immediately after the return. A small delay can matter in Matera, where you may have dinner reservations, a museum booking, or a train to catch.

The tour ends back at Martulli Viaggi. Since the starting and ending point are the same, you can organize the rest of your day around a known location in Matera.

Who will enjoy this Ginosa outing most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to add a rural Puglian experience to a Matera visit without renting a car. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value private transport and a quiet setting.

It is also a good match if you enjoy the connection between food, wine, and farming. The old olive groves, vineyard walk, cellar visit, and local snacks all work together to show how the region’s products are made and served.

You may want to choose something else if you want an extensive winery tour. The small production area and 45-minute cellar visit are likely to feel concise to serious wine students. It may also disappoint you if you expect a full meal, since lunch and dinner are not included.

The experience works best for people who see the journey as part of the point. You spend roughly two hours in the van, but that travel opens the door to a different side of the region. If that sounds worthwhile, the schedule is easy to fit into a Matera itinerary.

Practical details before you reserve

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is suitable for most people. It is a mobile-ticket experience, so you can keep the booking on your phone.

The meeting point is Martulli Viaggi, Via Alessandro Volta 3/5, 75100 Matera MT, Italy. The tour finishes at that same meeting point.

Tips are not included. Lunch and dinner are also not included, so plan your meals around the morning departure and return time. Wine tasting and local snacks are included.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. Since the experience requires good weather, poor conditions may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Ginosa wine tour?

Book it if you want a private, low-stress half-day outside Matera, with a small winery, a vineyard and olive grove walk, and wine paired with local snacks. The private van is the strongest practical feature, and the family-scale setting gives the visit a more personal feel than a large commercial estate.

Skip it if you want a full meal, a long technical tasting, or a major winery with extensive facilities. The visit is compact, and the small production area may take only about 45 minutes to explore.

For most visitors, the deciding question is simple: do you want to spend four hours connecting Matera with the countryside of Ginosa? If yes, the transport, private format, and outdoor setting make the $227.49 price easier to understand. If you only want a glass of Puglian wine, stay in Matera and save the time and money.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at Martulli Viaggi, Via Alessandro Volta 3/5, 75100 Matera MT, Italy.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Matera.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about four hours, including the one-hour trip from Matera to Ginosa and the one-hour return journey.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The tour includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What happens at the winery?

A local expert introduces you to the winery and explains its winemaking traditions and production methods. The winery visit lasts about 45 minutes.

Is wine tasting included?

Yes. The final tasting includes the winery’s wine selections paired with local snacks.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and dinner are not included. The included food is local snacks served with the wine tasting.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Poor weather may also result in a different date or a full refund.