Aleatico in Festa

A wine, a village, a celebration

Aleatico in Festa is the event that brings Gradoli to life every summer. This small town in the province of Viterbo, in the Lazio region, is perched on a tuff spur overlooking the northwestern shore of Lake Bolsena. The absolute star is the Aleatico di Gradoli DOC, a sweet red wine with an intense garnet color and aromas of ripe fruit and spices, also produced in fortified and reserve versions. It is one of the most iconic wines of the entire Tuscia area and finds its natural showcase here.

A quality festival

The event has earned the Sagra di Qualità (Quality Festival) recognition awarded by Unpli, the Italian National Union of Pro Loco: a mark that rewards events capable of authentically promoting a local product, without industrial shortcuts. This is no small detail, as it guarantees a local supply chain, local wineries, traditional recipes, and village volunteers behind every stand. The organization is entrusted to the Pro Loco of Gradoli, with the support of the Municipality.

What to taste

The heart of the festival lies in the sommelier-led tastings, which guide visitors through the various interpretations of Aleatico produced by Gradoli's wineries. Alongside the glasses, the Pro Loco kitchen offers dishes that tell the story of the lake and the Volsini Mountains:

• Fagioli del purgatorio (Purgatory beans), the signature legume of Gradoli, small, white, and with a very thin skin;
• Lake fish and traditional peasant dishes;
• Dry pastries and biscuits to pair with the Aleatico, which truly shines as a meditation wine;
• Olive oil, cheeses, and preserves from Tuscia producers sold in the markets.

Music and evening atmosphere

The stands open at sunset and the program continues until late at night with live concerts and musical sets ranging from swing to dance music, set up between the squares of the historic center and the public gardens. The village streets fill with long tables, exhibitors, and collective exhibitions: it is a village festival in the truest sense of the word, where visitors mingle with residents without barriers or the impersonal feel of a large-scale event.

The village hosting the festival

Gradoli is worth a visit even beyond the festival. The Palazzo Farnese, designed in the 16th century for the powerful family that dominated the area, houses the Farnese Costume Museum; the tuff alleys, the cellars carved into the rock, and the viewpoints over the lake make up one of the most evocative landscapes in Upper Lazio. The town is also known for the Purgatorio, the unique Lenten tradition that gives the local beans their name.

When to go

The event is traditionally held over a weekend between the end of July and the beginning of August. It is an excellent opportunity to combine the festival with a day on Lake Bolsena, between the beaches of Gradoli and the nearby towns of Capodimonte, Marta, and Bolsena.