Aglianico Festival

Montemarano, a lounge for fine wines

The Aglianico Festival is the event that, every late September, turns Montemarano, a small town in the province of Avellino in Campania, into a grand open-air stage. Perched at an altitude of 820 meters in the heart of Irpinia, the village opens its alleys, small squares, and cellars to celebrate the grape variety that brought it fame: Aglianico, the foundation of Taurasi, one of the most prestigious red wines in Southern Italy. It is no coincidence that the organizers have long promoted the slogan: "Montemarano, a lounge for fine wines, from Aglianico to Taurasi"—an invitation to sit back, taste at your leisure, and listen to the stories of those who produce the wine.

A forty-year tradition

Born in the mid-eighties to showcase local producers, the festival has grown into one of the most recognizable food and wine events in inland Irpinia. 2024 marked the fortieth edition, and 2025 the forty-first: a rare milestone for a village festival, sustained by the ProMontemarano Association with the support of the Municipality and local wineries. Its continuity is its strength: returning visitors find the same cellars, the same alleys, and the same warm welcome, with a program that refreshes its musical guests every year.

Wine as the protagonist

Aglianico is the common thread throughout the event. During the festival, visitors can participate in guided tours of the village cellars and surrounding vineyards, tasting the red wine directly from the producers' hands. Past editions have also featured vertical tastings of Aglianico and Taurasi from different vintages, technical workshops on ampelography, and conferences dedicated to the Montemarano terroir and experiential tourism.

• Guided tastings of Aglianico and Taurasi
• Wine excursions through the village's vineyards and cellars
• Food and wine stalls featuring Irpinian cuisine
• Meetings and conferences with producers and experts

Folk music and the Montemarano tarantella

Wine alone wouldn't be enough without music. Montemarano is famous throughout Campania for its Montemarano tarantella, an infectious rhythm primarily linked to the local carnival, which reappears at the Aglianico Festival in an itinerant form: groups of musicians and dancers wind through the historic center, drawing the public into the alleys. Alongside folk traditions, the lineup hosts evening concerts by folk groups and Irpinian singer-songwriters, followed by DJ sets that animate the squares until late at night. Past performers have included Molotov d'Irpinia, the Folk in Progress group, and the Bottari di Macerata Campania.

The village, museums, and the Irpinia Express

The festival is also an excellent opportunity to discover Montemarano away from mass tourism circuits. During the event, guided tours of the village museums and the cathedral are available, while on Sunday, the village traditionally welcomes the arrival of the Irpinia Express historic train, which travels along the scenic railway line of inland Irpinia, bringing visitors directly into the heart of the celebration. It is a different, slower way to arrive, much appreciated by families and rail enthusiasts.

When to go

The event is traditionally set for the last weekend of September, spanning three days from Friday to Sunday, coinciding with the start of the Aglianico harvest—which matures late in Irpinia, between late October and early November. Evenings at this altitude can be cool: it is advisable to bring a jacket even if the afternoon feels summery. The historic center is entirely pedestrian and easy to explore on foot.