The landscape of southern Italy's coastal region of Puglia is populated by traditional Masserias, characterised by their spherical ‘trulli’ with corbelled, grey roofs. One such a fine example is the 17th century Masseria Pistola, which sits within the Canale di Pirro valley. The farmhouse and its surrounding fields were originally used for keeping cattle and grain cultivation, decorative references to which can still be found throughout the house - including feeding troughs transformed into window seats.
When entrepreneur and environmentalist Constance Tedder bought the house in 2017, he enlisted the help of interior designer James Thurstan Waterworth, with whom he had worked on the nearby Masseria Petraolo, and whose stint as European Design Director at Soho House and subsequent five years working on an impressive range of projects from the Caribbean to Budapest to London has resulted in a signature pared back yet layered and inviting style. Following a four year renovation, the Masseria hosted its first guests in June 2022. Each of the 10 bedrooms (including “the cottage”- a standalone house with its own kitchen, sitting room and swimming pool), two kitchens (guest and chef’s) and sitting room, has a uniquely comfortable feel.
The running thread is a mixture of warm colours, textiles and antiques collected by James over the course of four years. Meals are prepared on six days by the in house chef Luciano Arvizzigno, a young yet skilled chef who takes inspiration from the traditional recipes he was taught by his mother. Using ingredients either grown at the Masseria or sourced from neighbouring farms, the seasonal menus include fresh fish, beef Tagliata (sliced thinly and served on a bed of rocket), and homemade pasta with a simple yet delicious tomato and caper sauce. Other delights from the kitchen include the baked goods of the Lucrezia Arvizzigno, the quintessential Italian nonna character who’s ‘Angel cake’ is devilishly good for breakfast.
The house sits on 30 hectares of land, five of which were designed by Adam Hunt and Lulu Urquart of Urquhart and Hunt, winners of the 2022 ‘Best in Show’ at the Chelsea Flower Show. The aim of the garden - which is open to the public and plays host to live music and picnic events on Sundays throughout summer - is to reintroduce local plants, including kiwi, passion fruit, hibiscus, lavender (which is turned into a range of bath products for guests to use) and saffron, as well as 10 varieties of trees and 17 of herbs.
Guests have the option of enjoying a variety of events within the house, such as a pasta making workshop with chef Luciano or a wine tasting of the Masseria’s own wines (the Verdecho is particularly good). For those looking to explore the local area, the house is just a 20 minute drive from the bustling Monopoli, a coastal town housing a plethora of restaurants, bars and shops.
A week at Masseria Pistola costs from €11,400 . Masseriapistola.com
