Asprinum Festival

A festival dedicated to Asprinio di Aversa

The Asprinum Festival is the annual September event that transforms Cesa, a small town in the Agro Aversano area of the province of Caserta, into a vibrant stage dedicated to Asprinio di Aversa. This native white wine, known for its freshness and tanginess, is the symbol of the territory and gives the festival its name: asprinum evokes the lively, slightly tart character of this iconic product from northwestern Campania. For several days, tastings, culture, performances, and local flavors fill the town's squares, farmhouses, and alleys.

The alberate aversane: a unique cultivation system

The heart of the festival is the celebration of the alberate aversane, a vine cultivation system considered unique in the world. Here, vines do not grow in low rows; instead, they are married to poplar trees, climbing vertically to heights of ten to twelve meters and forming green barriers that define the agricultural landscape. The harvest still requires ancient, courageous techniques, with long ladders leaning against the trunks. Cesa preserves this heritage alongside its famous tuff caves, once used for wine storage.

"E Juorn" and "E Nott": the two souls of the festival

The event is divided into two complementary sections. The "E Juorn" (The Days) section focuses on promoting the landscape, agricultural traditions, and cultural identity of Cesa, featuring guided tours of farmhouses, local alleys, and the urban agricultural park, as well as conferences and masterclasses on sparkling Asprinio led by sommeliers and industry experts. The "E Nott" (The Nights) section lights up the evenings with live concerts, folk music, tammurriate, and sounds from the new Neapolitan music scene, animating Piazza De Michele until late.

Cesa, the town of Caves and Alberate

Known as the "town of Caves and Alberate Aversane," Cesa uses the Asprinum Festival as an opportunity to rediscover its rural history and centuries-old winemaking vocation. The event is more than just a wine festival; it is a collective narrative that unites gastronomy, entertainment, art, and local memory, attracting visitors from across the province of Caserta and the Naples metropolitan area.

Organization

The Asprinum Festival is organized by the Pro Loco of Cesa in collaboration with the Municipality of Cesa, often as part of the broader municipal summer program spanning July, August, and September. Most events, including concerts, offer free admission, with tastings and local products available for purchase on-site. It is an initiative that combines tourism promotion, the protection of agricultural heritage, and the celebration of one of Campania's most original wines.