DATE TO BE CONFIRMED (TBC) for 2026. The annual Appassimenti Aperti festival unfolds in the small, ancient village of Serrapetrona, nestled in the Marche region of Italy. This event is a focused celebration of Vernaccia di Serrapetrona DOCG, a unique sparkling red wine. The festival brings life to the quiet, stone built streets, offering a direct experience of local winemaking traditions. Serrapetrona itself, with its medieval character, provides a fitting backdrop for a festival dedicated to such a distinctive regional product.

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What You Can Do

Visitors to the Festa del Vino can participate in organized tasting routes through the village, where local producers present their Vernaccia di Serrapetrona. These are not formal masterclasses but rather informal encounters with winemakers, often held in temporary stalls or within the courtyards of historic buildings. The event structure encourages exploration, moving from one tasting point to another. There are often demonstrations of traditional winemaking techniques, including the pressing of grapes using an old torchio (wine press), which gives the festival its local charm.

What They Offer

The core offering is the Vernaccia di Serrapetrona, a sparkling red wine made exclusively from the Vernaccia Nera grape, which undergoes a unique triple fermentation process. Both dry (secco) and sweet (dolce) versions are available for tasting. The festival is typically held in late July or early August, usually over a weekend. Access to the tasting areas often requires purchasing a reusable glass and tasting tokens, allowing for a structured yet relaxed sampling experience. The atmosphere is genuinely local, drawing visitors from nearby towns rather than large tourist groups, maintaining an authentic pace.

Activities

Beyond the wine focus, the Appassimenti Aperti offers opportunities to explore the village of Serrapetrona itself, with its historic churches and panoramic views of the surrounding Sibilline Mountains. Guided walks through the vineyards surrounding the village are sometimes arranged, offering insight into the challenging terrain where Vernaccia Nera grapes thrive. The region is rich in natural beauty, making it suitable for gentle hiking or scenic drives. Nearby, the Lago di Caccamo offers water based activities, and other small Marche towns, each with their own character, are within a short drive.

Food to Eat

Local gastronomy is a central part of the festival. Stalls and small trattorias offer traditional Marche dishes, often prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Expect robust flavors, including ciauscolo (a soft, spreadable salami), vincisgrassi (a rich baked pasta dish similar to lasagna), and pecorino cheese. These dishes pair effectively with the sparkling Vernaccia di Serrapetrona, particularly the dry versions. The food philosophy here is simple, hearty, and deeply connected to the agricultural heritage of the region, emphasizing fresh seasonal produce.

Why Visit

Visiting the Appassimenti Aperti di Serrapetrona provides a focused immersion into a distinct Italian wine culture. It is an event that prioritizes authenticity and local tradition over large scale commercialism. The experience is one of discovery, connecting directly with winemakers and the community behind this particular wine. The pace is unhurried, allowing visitors to appreciate the subtleties of the wine and the character of the Marche countryside. It offers a genuine glimpse into a regional celebration.

The Festa del Vino offers a quiet charm, a welcome contrast to more bustling events. The commitment to Vernaccia di Serrapetrona is clear, creating an environment where one can genuinely understand this specific wine. While the village’s amenities are modest, this adds to its grounded character. It is an experience for those seeking local depth.