The historic Wine Fair, now in its 65th year, kicks off in Montefiascone, in the province of Viterbo. Officially presented with local authorities and producers last Saturday, July 26, the event is now underway.

From August 1st to 14th, the picturesque village on the shores of Europe’s largest volcanic lake will be transformed into an immense, sprawling stage where, amidst its views, streets, and squares, one of the most anticipated summer spectacles in Tuscia will come to life.

The festival has its roots in ancient times, in 1111 to be precise, when the German baron Giovanni Defuk, with an immoderate passion for good wine, was travelling to Rome and instructed his cupbearer Martino to mark the inns with the best wine with the word EST.

In Montefiascone he found a wine so good that he distinguished it with three ESTs.

Baron Defuk drank so much of it that he died. It was 1113.

In his memory and to thank him for the significant legacy he left to the town, Baron Defuk is still honored today in Montefiascone during the historical costume parade, the highlight of the Wine Fair celebrations.

This year the event will be held from August 1 to 14, 2025, with the ribbon-cutting and inauguration on Friday, August 1 at 9:00 pm.

Fourteen days of celebration with a rich and varied program ranging from tastings to live performances every evening, from a historical parade to theatrical performances and literary insights with Panorami, included in this year’s program.

Not just wine, then, but a multi-faceted event, featuring insights into winemaking, dance and painting performances, and cultural events, as well as major national musical guests.

The event is sponsored by the Lazio Region, the Province of Viterbo, and the Municipality of Montefiascone, in collaboration with ANCIT and Genius Music & Events, and involves local institutions, partners, and cultural organizations. The first to open the impressive program of live performances will be Hotel Supramonte, one of the most beloved and recognized tribute bands dedicated to Fabrizio De André, capable of bringing all the poetic and musical intensity of the great Faber to the stage.

With a refined sound, acoustic instruments, and faithful yet lively arrangements, Hotel Supramonte celebrates the work of one of the greatest Italian singer-songwriters of all time. Their show is an emotional journey through De André’s most iconic songs—from La canzone di Marinella to Il pescatore, from Bocca di Rosa to Creuza de mä—enriched with narrative moments and atmospheres that touch the heart.

A sincere, elegant, and engaging tribute that will perfectly open the 2025 edition of the Montefiascone Wine Fair.

Meet at 9 pm in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, free admission.

On November 22nd and 23rd, tastings, masterclasses, and reflections on viticulture and the region will take place. The Mondial des Vins Extrêmes awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, November 22nd.

Heroic viticulture returns to the Aosta Valley with Vins Extrêmes 2025 , the international exhibition dedicated to wines produced in extreme environments. The event will be held on Saturday, November 22nd and Sunday, November 23rd in Bard (Aosta), from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm on both days. Organized by CERVIM – Center for Research, Studies, Safeguarding, Coordination and Promotion of Mountain Viticulture, together with the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the Autonomous Region of Valle d’Aosta , with the collaboration of the Chambre Valdôtaine and the Forte di Bard Association , the event was founded in 2017 to showcase wine production from heroic territories, such as mountain areas, small islands, slopes and terraces, where growing vines requires constant commitment. The event is aimed at industry professionals and enthusiasts, with a rich program that includes tastings, masterclasses, wine talks, and themed meetings. Participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with the producers present and explore topics related to climate change, biodiversity, and the promotion of native grape varieties. The awards ceremony for the winners of the Mondial des Vins Extrêmes , the world’s only wine competition dedicated to heroic wines, will also be held on Saturday, November 22nd. During the two days, it will also be possible to taste all the award-winning wines of the 2025 edition. ​ ​“We are proud to return to Forte di Bard with an event that represents a benchmark for heroic viticulture, both nationally and internationally,” stated CERVIM President Nicola Abbrescia . “Vins Extrêmes is much more than a festival: it is a moment of gathering and discussion where winemakers, institutions, and industry experts develop a shared vision. Our goal is to give voice to productions that are sometimes small in quantity but deeply rooted in the territory, which contribute decisively to protecting biodiversity, the landscape, and the island and mountain winemaking culture.” ​ ​To access the event, you must purchase a glass and its pouch, which entitles you to tastings of the wines of the participating wineries and the winners of the Mondial des Vins Extrêmes . Tickets cost €25 for a single day and €40 for both days. By presenting a valid membership card, AIS, FISAR, ONAV and Slow Food members can benefit from discounts : 20 euros for a day’s entry and 35 for both days.

Summer lights up with the authentic flavors of the region, combining Etruscan tradition with contemporary mixology: this tasting itinerary is curated by Umbria Top, the cooperative of Umbrian wineries.

Umbria confirms its role as a key player in the Italian summer with a fresh, innovative, and exciting wine selection.

Umbria Top , the cooperative of Umbrian wineries, presents a journey through the region’s most authentic flavors, where winemaking tradition meets the creativity of mixology. From elegant rosés to Umbrian vermouths to surprising wine-only cocktails —without the addition of spirits—Italy’s green heart is preparing to toast in style.

Umbrian rosé wines are a refined expression of the terroir, thanks to select grapes that bring freshness and delicacy to the palate. They are distinguished by a fruity and lively character, perfect for accompanying summer dishes and convivial moments. The combination of the temperate climate and mineral-rich soils gives these rosés a harmonious balance and elegant aromas. They are versatile wines, ideal for those seeking lightness without sacrificing aromatic complexity.

Vermouth production is also receiving significant attention: companies like Antonelli, Briziarelli, and Raina are reinterpreting this ancient flavored beverage with a regional twist. Umbrian vermouths are made with local wine and wild botanicals, ideal for enjoying on their own or as a base for natural and sophisticated cocktails. Other local companies are also developing projects dedicated to vermouth production, a sign of growing interest in this winemaking excellence reinterpreted with a local twist.

At the heart of Umbria’s summer offerings is a desire to innovate through wine: not just to be tasted, but also to be experienced as the main ingredient in light, aromatic, and sustainable cocktails. Far from traditional high-proof drinks, these cocktails are designed to showcase Umbria’s native grape varieties , pairing them with spices, fruit, and Mediterranean aromas.

Among the most representative cocktails:

Apple & Pink Julep – 100g of rosé (like Dievole Rosato, its inspiration), apple juice, and fresh mint. A balanced and refreshing blend, perfect for an aperitif.

Vino Tonic – Dry white wine such as Grechetto and tonic water in equal parts, served with ice, lime, and rosemary. A refreshing and light Umbrian alternative to gin and tonic.

Umbrian White Wine Spritz – With a touch of elderflower, soda, and lemon, this cocktail exudes all the freshness of summer.

Frosé – A rosé made from Sangiovese chilled and blended with fresh strawberries, citrus fruits, and a teaspoon of sugar. A perfect alcoholic sorbet for warmer evenings.

Citrus Sangria – Rosso Divertimento IGT 2012 with grapefruit and lemon juice, sugar, and basil leaves. A Mediterranean twist on traditional sangria, all Umbrian.

Umbrian White Wine Mimosa – Sparkling Wine or Prosecco with Orange Juice: A light summer brunch in a single glass.

The inspiration also comes from afar: at Etruscan banquets, wine was enriched with water, honey, and spices, conceptually anticipating mixology itself. This philosophy is reflected in cocktails like the Umbrian Bellini (wine and peach juice) or citrusy reinterpretations with basil and lemon zest.

Umbria thus presents itself as a laboratory for wine and mixology experimentation , where wine becomes a vehicle for creativity, culture, and conviviality. A proposal that combines sustainability, moderation, and flavor, bringing a new way of drinking to Italian summer tables.
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UmbriaTop’s initiatives are part of the initiatives to promote certified Umbrian products promoted by the UmbriaTop Wines Cooperative as part of the CSR Umbria 2023-2027 measure – intervention SRG10 “Promotion of quality products”.

On October 12th, the producers of the Asolo Montello Wine Protection Consortium will present themselves to the public with a major event celebrating the consortium’s first 40 years of activity.

Discover a region rich in cultural, wine, food, and landscape beauty, meeting the producers of some of the most renowned wines both nationally and internationally.

This will be the goal of the first event of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Asolo Montello open to the public, industry professionals, journalists and enthusiasts, which will be held on October 12th from 11:00 to 19:30 in the iconic Villa Barbaro in Maser , built by Andrea Palladio between 1554 and 1560.

The event, part of the calendar of initiatives promoted to mark the fortieth anniversary of its foundation, stems from the Consortium’s desire to celebrate its history along with the beauty of the places that cradle its vineyards.

For wine enthusiasts, this will be an unmissable opportunity to meet producers and taste Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Montello DOCG, and Montello Asolo DOC wines, with a packed program of events. The ” Elevate your choice: wine, beauty, and territory “ event will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 12th, with the official inauguration attended by authorities. The tasting table will be open until 7:30 p.m., and it will be possible to meet the producers. There will also be plenty of food options, with samplings of the region’s many gastronomic specialties.

The event will also be the perfect opportunity for those who want to discover a land where beauty, authenticity, high-quality food and wine , and extraordinary cultural sites converge. A prime example is the village of Asolo, the “city of a hundred horizons” : a destination for authors and writers from around the world, this small town perched in the Treviso hills, also chosen as a residence by the Cornaro family, is a small wonder of narrow streets, breathtaking views, historic sites, and exclusive shops. Less than 15 minutes from Asolo is Possagno , the birthplace of Antonio Canova ; here, in addition to the Canova Temple, is also the birthplace of the great sculptor, now a museum housing, along with his drawings and paintings, plaster casts of his sculptures.

In addition to Asolo, the area’s identity is tied to Montello , home to the Montello DOCG and Montello Asolo DOC still wines. Known as the “Forest of the Serenissima,” during the time of the Venetian Republic, it supplied wood for boats and palaces and, along with Asolo, was already famous for its wines, which were taxed more than those in the rest of Italy. A symbol of these hills is the Abbey of Sant’Eustachio, in Nervesa della Battaglia, where Monsignor Giovanni Della Casa wrote his “Etiquette” in the 16th century. Montello is also one of the most significant sites of the First World War, where the Austrian advance was halted on the Piave River, marking the turning point of the conflict. This legacy is evidenced by the Great War trails, tourist itineraries immersed in nature that wind throughout the area.

For visitors arriving from outside the region, a wide range of accommodations allows you to stay overnight in one of the most beautiful areas of Italy: from B&Bs to historic homes and charming hotels, to family-run farmhouses.

For information: info@asolomontello.it