Calici d'Irpinia

An evening dedicated to Irpinian wine

Calici d'Irpinia is the food and wine event that the Fontanarosa Youth Forum dedicates to the region's finest wines and local culinary excellence. The event takes place in spring in the small town of Fontanarosa, in the province of Avellino, in the heart of inland Campania: a single, focused, and convivial evening built around tasting stalls, food stands, and live music. More than just a festival, the organizers describe it as «a journey through the authentic flavors» of Irpinia.

Piazza Cristo Re becomes an open-air lounge

The stage is Piazza Cristo Re, the town hall square, which for the occasion transforms into a large open-air lounge. From late afternoon, tasting tables and stands occupy the public space; guests move from one glass to another at their leisure, and the evening continues with music until late at night. It is a simple format that works precisely because it brings wine, food, and social life together in one place, without the distance of a trade fair.

The wines of Irpinia take center stage

Irpinia is one of the most important wine-growing areas in Southern Italy: the province of Avellino boasts three DOCG denominations — Taurasi, Fiano di Avellino, and Greco di Tufo — alongside the broader Irpinia DOC. Fontanarosa is located in this district of clay-limestone hills, a short distance from the towns that give their names to these denominations. Calici d'Irpinia brings these very labels to the square, with the declared goal of introducing even the youngest generations to their local oenological heritage.

Beyond tastings: discussing the future of wine

Alongside the convivial aspect, the event reserves space for reflection. The 2025 edition hosted the debate «Wines of Irpinia – past, present, and future of wine in Irpinia», a discussion on the historical path of Irpinian viticulture, the current state of the sector, and its competitiveness, with a focus on regional wine tourism regulations and the role of protection consortia in growing the reputation of Irpinian wines in Italy and abroad. It is a sign of an event that aims to be not just a party, but an opportunity for regional growth.

Who organizes it

The event is promoted by the Fontanarosa Youth Forum in collaboration with the «Irpini per l'Irpinia» association and with the support of the municipal administration, under the patronage of the Campania Region and the Province of Avellino. It is one of the initiatives through which the Forum enlivens the local calendar, alongside the «Summer with the Forum» program, which alternates sports, entertainment, culture, ecology, art, music, and food and wine throughout the year.

Fontanarosa, the town of the Carro and stone

Fontanarosa is a village of just under three thousand inhabitants, nestled at an altitude of about 480 meters. In Irpinia, it is known as the «town of the Wheat Carro»: on August 14th, in the heart of the «Fontanarosa Ferragosto», the Tirata del Carro takes place—an imposing votive obelisk linked to the peasant tradition of wheat, dragged through the streets of the town, representing one of the most spectacular expressions of Campanian folklore. The town's other historical vocation is stone carving, a craft handed down by generations of stonemasons and celebrated through dedicated exhibitions. Those who arrive for Calici d'Irpinia will therefore find much more than a tasting: a town with a still perfectly legible artisan and peasant identity.

What to expect

• Tasting stalls featuring wines from Irpinian wineries.
• Food stands with traditional products and local dishes.
• Live music and DJ sets in the central square until late at night.
• A young and familiar crowd, mostly locals and residents of neighboring towns.
• A square-based format with tastings and purchases at individual stalls.
• An opportunity to discover a village in inland Irpinia off the beaten tourist path.