Borgo diVino

Cilento wine in the historic center of Castellabate

Borgo diVino is a food and wine festival that brings the wines and flavors of Cilento to the narrow streets of the historic center of Castellabate, in the province of Salerno, Campania. The event is promoted by the Pro Loco Castellabate Tourist Association with the patronage of the Municipality of Castellabate, the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, the «I Borghi più belli d'Italia» club, and the Pio Alferano and Virginia Ippolito Foundation.

The event follows a widespread format: tastings are not concentrated in a single area but are spread along the alleys and ancient houses of the village, from the entrance to the historic center up to the foot of the Castello dell'Abate. This way, walking through the village and tasting the wines become a single experience, with views of the gulf accompanying every stop.

Cilento wineries in the spotlight

The heart of the event is the local wineries, which host tasting points along the route and share their work with the public. The most recent edition featured ten Cilento producers:

• Tenuta Passaro
• Caprarizzo
• Colle del Corsicano
• Tempa di Zoè
• Tredaniele
• Cantine Barone
• San Salvatore 1988
• Maffini
• Le Grazie
• Pippo Greco

It is a great opportunity to get a concrete feel for the Cilento wine scene, a territory anchored by the Cilento DOC designation that has gained increasing critical acclaim in recent years.

The flavors of Cilento cuisine

The wines are paired with local traditional dishes, offered in both classic versions and creative reinterpretations by local restaurateurs. Common offerings include local cured meats and cheeses, fried pizza, lagane e ceci (pasta with chickpeas), and alici 'mbuttunate (stuffed anchovies), alongside agricultural products brought by local farmers. It is the cuisine of the Mediterranean diet in its area of origin, served in tasting portions to allow visitors to sample a variety of dishes throughout the evening.

Live music, art, and crafts

Each day features a specific musical program: the main stage is set up in Piazza Perrotti, while the interview lounge is located at the foot of the Castello dell'Abate, hosting guests and conversations about wine and the territory. Genres range from jazz and soul to funk, pop, and traditional Cilento folk music, with local bands and DJ sets in the late hours.

Alongside the music, there are stalls and exhibitors of local crafts, featuring glass, wood, ceramic, and textile work, as well as contributions from local artists: in 2025, for example, the Arperc association created artistic tablecloths for the toast tables.

The grape harvest re-enactment

The most iconic moment of the festival is the traditional grape harvest re-enactment, with grape treading performed according to ancient customs. It is more than just entertainment: it takes place in the month when the Cilento region truly harvests its grapes, recalling the peasant heritage of an area where viticulture has always been part of the agricultural landscape alongside olive groves and vegetable gardens.

Castellabate, one of Italy's most beautiful villages

Castellabate is a medieval village overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, recognized as one of the «I Borghi più belli d'Italia» (Most Beautiful Villages in Italy) and located within the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. The historic center, clustered around the Castello dell'Abate that gives the town its name, is built on a slope with alleys, arches, and viewpoints over the gulf: a setting that the event uses as an integral part of the tasting route, without invasive installations.

A seasonal extension event

Taking place at the end of September, when the beach season in Santa Maria and San Marco has concluded, Borgo diVino is also designed as a tool for seasonal tourism extension. The organizers' stated goal is to show that the Municipality of Castellabate can attract visitors beyond the summer months by focusing on quality events linked to wine, food, and the identity of Cilento. The audience for the 2025 edition came from the entire Cilento district and even from outside the province.

How to participate

Access is directly through the historic center, with evening openings on weekdays and extended hours on Sundays. Since the event is organized by the Pro Loco and dates may vary from year to year, it is advisable to check the updated calendar before planning your visit.