Wine Festivals in Italy

Wine festivals are of all eras. In the majority of cases, there's every reason to celebrate the grape harvest. In villages and towns, wine lovers and enthusiasts can visit to taste wines and meet the winemakers who see their efforts rewarded with the harvest for their new wines.

Movimento Turismo Vino Italia's nationwide event is undoubtedly Italy's best-known wine event. Since the first edition of 'Cantine Aperte' (open cellars) in 1993 (actually the start of wine tourism in Italy as we know it these days), it has grown into an annual wine festival where more than 6 million visitors are introduced to Italy's many hospitable wineries. Where only 25 wineries participated in 1993, nowadays over 20,000 wineries are opening their doors.

Last updated: November 2025

National wine festivals and events in Italy

Below is the comprehensive calendar of all Italian wine festivals.

Movimento Turismo Vino's five national wine events are:

Cantine Aperte 2026

Date: 30 - 31 May 2026

The first wine event of the year, and also the wine festival that started it all, is 'Cantine Aperte'. On the last Sunday of May, this event attracts millions of wine lovers to the various wineries across Italy.

Cantine Aperte on the Movimento Turismo del Vino Italia website

Cantine Aperte on the Movimento Turismo del Vino Toscana website

Calici di Stelle 2026

Date: 10 August 2026

On the night of San Lorenzo (annually on 10 August), wine tastings are held under the stars during the wine festival 'Calici di Stelle'.

Cantine Aperte in Vendemmia 2026

Date: varies by region/winery (in September and October 2026)

During harvest, 'Cantine Aperte in Vendemmia' offers a unique opportunity to discover the vineyards while picking the grapes.

Cantine Aperte a San Martino 2026

Date: between 4 and 12 November 2026

Several days in November during 'Cantine Aperte a San Martino', you can taste new wines from the latest harvest.

Cantine Aperte a Natale 2026

Date: varies by region/wine house (in December 2026)

To end the year, wine can be tasted in December (bought in for the December festive month) during the 'Cantine Aperte a Natale'.

A selection of Italian wine festivals...

Vino al Vino

The wine festival Vino al Vino has been organised on the third weekend of September since 1995. Get to know the delicious Chianti wines from participating wineries from Panzano.

Vino al Vino Insta
Next festival: 19-21 september 2025

Wine tasting at Stefano Accordini - the highest winery in the Valpolicella Classico wine region

Expo Chianti Classico

Early september in Greve in Chianti, Expo Chianti Classico is one of the most visited wine festivals in Tuscany.

Many wineries offer to taste their new annata, Riserva and Gran Selezione Chianti Classico wines.

Expo Chianti Classico website
Next festival: 11-13 september 2026

OnlyWine

The wine event Only Wine in Città di Castello (Umbria) is mainly dedicated to emerging talent. The 100 best small producers (winemakers are under 40 years old, the winery has been in existence for less than 15 years or the vineyards are up to 7 hectares in size) showcase their innovations during the festival.

Only Wine website

Next festival: 25-27 april 2026

The Paleo del Chiaretto wine festival in Bardolino at Lake Garda

Palio del Chiaretto

At the end of May, beginning of June, wine lovers can visit Lake Garda in Bardolino for the Palio del Chiaretto wine festival. Besides the best wine delicious food, you can also enjoy plenty of music here.

Palio del Chiaretto website

Next festival: 30 may-2 june 2025

Italian wine festivals 2025 - 2026 by date

Nebbiolo Nel Cuore

Location: Rome

Date: 12 to 13 January 2025