Bancarel'Vino Award

An open-air winery in the heart of Lunigiana

Each summer, the small village of Mulazzo, perched on the hills of Lunigiana in the province of Massa-Carrara, comes alive for the Bancarel'Vino Award, one of Tuscany's most significant and long-standing wine events. For three days, the squares and alleys of the ancient Malaspina fiefdom turn into a true open-air winery, where sommeliers, journalists, enthusiasts, and curious visitors gather, glass in hand.

Wine and books: The legacy of the Bancarella Award

The festival was founded in 1983, drawing inspiration from the renowned Bancarella Award in Pontremoli, Lunigiana's historic literary prize. Like its illustrious predecessor, Bancarel'Vino pairs its wine competition with the presentation and awarding of books focused on food and wine: an original blend of wine culture and literary culture that sets this event apart from a simple village fair. From the beginning, the goal has been to create a meeting point for connoisseurs and wine lovers alike, bringing experts and the "lay" public to the same table.

The wine competition

The heart of the event is the wine competition, where a jury evaluates hundreds of labels submitted by participating wineries, awarding prizes across various categories. Recent editions have featured over 40 wineries and around a hundred competing wines, divided into whites and reds (both current and previous vintages), sparkling wines, and a category dedicated to Vermentino, the signature grape of the Colli di Luni. Alongside the wine, gastronomy takes center stage with competitions dedicated to local products, such as the Torta d'erbi with Treschietto onions.

Atmosphere, music, and flavors

The evenings unfold between Piazza Malaspina and Piazza Dante, with winery stalls set up along the village path. Tastings are accompanied by live music, performances, cabaret, and the specialties of Lunigiana cuisine. It is a unique opportunity to discover an authentic territory, far from the beaten tourist paths, where medieval history, landscape, and gastronomy merge into a single experience.

A local event

Organized by the Municipality of Mulazzo, the Bancarel'Vino Award is now a fixture of the summer calendar in Tuscany and the entire Lunigiana region, attracting visitors from across the region and beyond. To facilitate access to the village, a free shuttle service operates from the Arpiola parking lot during the evenings.