Bacchus Day

A day of wine in the Savelli castle

Bacchus Day is one of the most beloved food and wine events of late autumn in the town of Palombara Sabina, in the province of Rome, in the heart of the Lazio Sabina. For an entire day, Castello Savelli, an imposing 13th-century fortress that dominates the town and the valley below, opens its frescoed halls, courtyards, and even its ancient dungeons to welcome producers, wineries, and thousands of visitors arriving from Rome and across Lazio.

The formula, perfected over more than twenty editions, is simple and successful: a glass-in-hand journey through the castle halls, where wine intertwines with gastronomy, live music, and the discovery of local historical heritage. It is not a commercial fair, but a genuine village festival, organized by the cultural association Idee e Valori with the patronage of the Municipality.

Wines of the Sabina and Central Italy

The heart of the event is the tasting experience. In the majestic Sala Ottaviani and adjacent spaces, you can sample the best labels from Lazio and Central Italy, with a special focus on local producers and those from the Monti Lucretili Regional Park. Winemakers and sommeliers guide the public glass after glass, sharing stories of grape varieties, vintages, and production techniques. Some guided tastings take place in the evocative cells of the castle's ancient dungeons, an environment that is worth the visit in itself.

Alongside the wine, there is space for other local artisanal products: craft beers, gentian liqueur, black cherry liqueurs, and traditional spirits, presented directly by the producers.

The Bacchus Inn and fried pizzas

The Locanda di Bacco (Bacchus Inn) is set up in the castle's guesthouse, where you can enjoy lunch and dinner featuring typical Sabina products enhanced by local extra virgin olive oil, one of the absolute symbols of this territory. The most anticipated dish remains the Palombara-style fried pizza, served in savory versions or sweet with sugar or hazelnut cream, alongside grilled arrosticini and traditional peasant dishes.

Music, bands, and families

The day is punctuated by music. In the morning, the Città di Palombara Band, accompanied by majorettes, parades through the streets of the historic center to open the festivities; in the afternoon, live bands and groups perform in the garden and courtyards of the castle, with repertoires ranging from rock to folk music. There are also spaces dedicated to children, with creative workshops and nature-themed activities, as well as guided tours of the castle and the village.

Palombara Sabina and its territory

Located about forty kilometers from Rome, at the foot of the Monti Lucretili, Palombara Sabina is a medieval village known for its oil, wine, and the Abbey of San Giovanni in Argentella, built on Roman and early Christian ruins. Bacchus Day is the ideal opportunity to discover this off-the-beaten-path corner of Lazio, combining tasting with a stroll through the historic center and a visit to the castle.

Useful information

• Free admission to the event: you only pay for tastings and food/drink.
• The event is traditionally held on a Sunday in mid-November.
• Free shuttle service from the sports field parking lot to the historic center.