Brunello in Borgo

Brunello di Montalcino arrives on the Amalfi Coast

Brunello in Borgo is a food and wine festival held in the village of Santi Quaranta, a hillside hamlet in the municipality of Cava de' Tirreni, in the province of Salerno, Campania. The concept behind it is as simple as it is unique: to take one of the most prestigious wines in Italian viticulture, Brunello di Montalcino, out of its native Tuscany and have it engage with the cuisine and traditions of a small Campanian village, just a few kilometers from the Amalfi Coast.

The initiative was created by the Putea restaurant, an osteria on Via Santi Quaranta run by Gianparide Scarlino and Alfonso Troiano, known for a wine list featuring over 450 labels and awarded at the 2025 Milan Wine Week as the only establishment in Campania recognized in the Brunello category. For a few days, the village surrounding the restaurant becomes a sprawling venue made of alleys, courtyards, and long communal tables.

From the first edition in 2024 to the third in 2026

The first edition was held on July 11, 2024, coinciding with Putea's tenth anniversary: a unique day marked by a village breakfast, a guided tour through the village alleys, the "Mangia al Borgo" lunch, and an evening masterclass on Brunello, concluded by a folk performance by "I Cavalieri della Bolla Pontificia".

Its success encouraged the organizers to expand the format: in July 2025, the second edition, titled "Brunello in Borgo - Gastronomia Autentica", spanned three days, while in May 2026, the third edition moved the event to late spring, weaving it into the city's other major events.

Guided tastings, masterclasses, and Montalcino wineries

The heart of the event is direct interaction with the producers. Over the various editions, some of the most renowned names from the Montalcino area have participated, including Argiano, Castello Tricerchi, Castiglion del Bosco, Mastrojanni, Podere Le Ripi, Terre Nere Montalcino, Baricci, Caprili, Scopone, Tassi, San Giorgio, and Pinino.

• Masterclasses and guided tastings dedicated to Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino;
• Round tables with sommeliers and industry journalists, discussing wine market trends, consumption, and wine list pricing;
• Convivial lunches and dinners where Tuscan reds are paired with traditional Cava and Campanian dishes;
• Territory discovery moments, with guided tours of the city's and the surrounding area's iconic landmarks.

Recurring guests include Tommaso Luongo, president of AIS Campania, food and wine journalist Antonella Amodio, and oenologist Sissi Baratella: the festival has thus built a reputation over time that extends beyond provincial borders, attracting producers, professionals, and enthusiasts from across Italy.

Santi Quaranta, a village of traditions

Santi Quaranta is one of the historic villages dotting the hills around Cava de' Tirreni, a city known for its porticoes, the Badia della Santissima Trinità, and an ancient commercial vocation. Here, village life has preserved recognizable rhythms and rituals: the shops, the narrow alleys, and community festivals. Brunello in Borgo integrates itself into this fabric, using wine as a lens through which to interpret the place, rather than just as a tasting object.

It is no coincidence that the program almost always includes an excursion into the territory: nearby Vietri sul Mare, famous for its artistic ceramics and the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, the Benedictine Abbey of the Most Holy Trinity, and the great historical re-enactments of Cava linked to the passage of Emperor Charles V in 1535, which feature hundreds of costumed participants every year.

Who it is for

Brunello in Borgo is designed for those who love wine and want to deepen their knowledge in an intimate setting, away from large, crowded fairs: the number of participants is limited, and the relationship with producers and speakers is direct. It is equally suitable for those who want to discover Cava de' Tirreni and its hinterland, combining wine tasting with visits to the village and the surrounding area. Participation in individual activities is by reservation through the Putea restaurant, which coordinates the entire event.