Apeririso in Villa
Aperitif based on rice and Oltrepò wines in the park of Villa Cairoli
About Apeririso in Villa
Rice takes center stage in the park of Villa Cairoli
Apeririso in Villa is the food and wine event that kicks off the patronal celebrations of Gropello Cairoli, a municipality in Lomellina in the province of Pavia. The setting is the evocative historic park of Villa Cairoli, with its chapel dedicated to San Carlo, where rice—the symbolic crop of this plain—becomes the common thread of an evening of tastings and encounters.
Taste, wines, and showcooking
The heart of the event is the tasting of rice and local wines: from still Pinot Nero to sparkling Bonarda, the labels from Oltrepò Pavese accompany an aperitif with local specialties—risotto, pizza, focaccia, bread, and salami. There is also a showcooking session with local chefs, transforming rice into dishes to be tasted on the spot. The initiative is organized by the municipal administration together with the Pro Loco and Coldiretti Pavia, confirming the strong link between the festival and the local agricultural world.
Guests and atmosphere
Apeririso in Villa attracts well-known figures from the food and wine world every year: among the testimonials of recent editions was gastronomic journalist Edoardo Raspelli, whose presence highlighted the quality of Pavia's products. An evening that combines the pleasure of dining with the discovery of a territory, Lomellina, where rice cultivation is culture, landscape, and identity.
Towards the patronal feast
The aperitif precedes the patronal feast of San Giorgio the following Sunday, with the spring market, workshops for children, and amusement rides: two days that liven up Gropello Cairoli and tell its rural and community traditions.
Apeririso in Villa — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Apeririso in Villa is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, starting at 6:30 PM, in the park of Villa Cairoli. The star will be the tasting of rice and local wines (still Pinot Nero, sparkling Bonarda), with a showcooking hosted by chef Valerio Bergamini and an aperitif with local specialties. Guests include gastronomic journalist Edoardo Raspelli and model Priscilla Gatta. Participating producers include Azienda Agricola Ivano Vercesi, Agriturismo Casa Casoni, and Tenuta Borgolano. The event precedes the patronal feast of San Giorgio on Sunday, April 26, with a market, workshops for children, a charity raffle, and amusement rides.
Programme Apeririso in Villa 2026
Saturday, April 25, 2026 — from 6:30 PM, Villa Cairoli Park
- Tasting of rice and local wines (still Pinot Nero, sparkling Bonarda)
- Showcooking with chef Valerio Bergamini
- Aperitif with local specialties: pizza, focaccia, bread, salami, risotto
- Guests: gastronomic journalist Edoardo Raspelli and model Priscilla Gatta
- Producers: Azienda Agricola Ivano Vercesi, Agriturismo Casa Casoni, Tenuta Borgolano
Sunday, April 26 — Patronal feast of San Giorgio
- Spring Market, workshops for children, charity raffle, amusement rides
Highlights Apeririso in Villa 2026
The showcooking with chef Valerio Bergamini, the tasting of rice and Oltrepò wines, and the presence of gastronomic journalist Edoardo Raspelli.
Prices Apeririso in Villa 2026
Practical information — Apeririso in Villa
How to get there
Gropello Cairoli is located along the SS35 dei Giovi road, in Lomellina, between Pavia and Mortara. It has a train station on the Pavia–Alessandria line. The event takes place in the park of Villa Cairoli.
Costs
Aperitif €8; wine tasting €2 per glass or €13 (aperitif + 3 glasses).
Bookings
Booking recommended a few days before the event: Cinzia +39 333 3483985, Monica +39 333 2612680.
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Where does it take place — Apeririso in Villa
Parco di Villa Cairoli
Parco di Villa Cairoli, 27027 Gropello Cairoli