"Bacco, Tabasco e Venere" Wine Festival

Wine in the heart of Borgo Pignatari

"Bacco, Tabasco e Venere" is the Wine Festival that brings the Borgo Pignatari of Maddaloni—a town in the province of Caserta, Campania—to life every autumn. For two days, the ancient core of the city, with its steep alleys, stairways, and courtyards, fills with tasting stalls, craft exhibitions, and live music. It is a simple and direct way to rediscover a part of Maddaloni that remains secluded for the rest of the year, and which, on this occasion, returns to being the community's living room.

A village that becomes a stage

The focal point of the event is the Church of San Benedetto, open to visitors for the duration of the festival; its outdoor space serves as a natural stage for evening concerts. Around it, the village streets host wine and food stands, while local artisans showcase traditional crafts. The format is that of a village festival, but set within an urban historic center, making the upper town of Maddaloni the very backdrop of the celebration.

The flavors of the Caserta tradition

The food and wine trail showcases the most recognizable dishes of the local popular cuisine. In recent editions, visitors have been able to taste:

• caciocavallo impiccato, melted over embers and served hot;
• roasted artichokes and seasonal vegetables;
• traditional handmade pasta;
• steaming roasted chestnuts, the absolute stars of autumn;
• fried pizzas and cuoppi (paper cones) of land and sea delicacies.

As for the wine, the selection is entrusted to local producers: in the 2025 edition, bottles were provided by the Azienda Vinicola Castelle of Castelvenere, one of the most vine-covered municipalities in the Sannio region, confirming the bond between the festival and Campanian viticulture.

Folk music, dances, and concerts

The festival's soundtrack is rooted in southern tradition: tammurriate, tarantellas, and folk dances accompany the tastings from the afternoon, while in the evening the village gathers for concerts. In 2025, the stage featured Taranterrae, the group 'A Cumba with a tribute to Fabrizio De André, and Francesco Di Bella, the historic voice of 24 Grana. The programming favors singer-songwriter music and the Campanian folk repertoire over mainstream acts, in keeping with the intimate scale of the village.

The Palio delle Botti

The most anticipated moment on Sunday is the Palio delle Botti, a race between teams competing with barrels along the steep streets of the village. It is a traditional game linked to the world of wine, highly popular with the public, which adds a competitive and spectacular element to the festival while directly involving local districts and associations.

A festival for families and the community

During both days, there is entertainment for children, while on the opening morning, a pre-event is held for local schools, featuring a guided tour of the village organized in collaboration with the Youth Forum. The event is therefore not just a gastronomic appointment: it is also an opportunity for local heritage education, bringing younger generations closer to the history of the neighborhood.

Organizers

The festival is born from the volunteer work of Maddaloni associations: the APS Pro Loco "San Michele", the APS Castrum, and the Youth Forum, with the patronage and support of the Municipality of Maddaloni. The opening of the Church of San Benedetto is made possible by the collaboration of the parish. It is a collective effort aimed at enhancing Borgo Pignatari and revitalizing a historic area of the city.

When to go

The event traditionally takes place in mid-November, over the weekend, when autumn offers chestnuts, new wine, and the first crisp evenings. Since the calendar is released year by year, it is advisable to check dates and programs on the social media channels of the Pro Loco "San Michele" of Maddaloni before traveling.