Calici Diffusi
Viterbo's historic center transforms into a wine-tasting trail featuring the finest wines of Tuscia
About Calici Diffusi
A food and wine journey through Viterbo's medieval heart
Calici Diffusi is a summer event that transforms the historic center of Viterbo, in the Lazio region, into a sprawling, open-air tasting trail. Equipped with an official tasting glass on a lanyard, visitors stroll through the squares and alleys of the 'City of Popes'—including Piazza Verdi, Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza del Plebiscito, Piazza della Morte, Piazza Unità d'Italia, and the medieval San Pellegrino district—sampling local wines at participating venues, all accompanied by background music and outdoor seating.
The wines of Tuscia take center stage
The heart of the event is the winemaking heritage of the Viterbo area. Dozens of local wineries offer hundreds of labels for tasting—over 230 in the 2026 edition, presented by 56 producers. The selection ranges from volcanic whites grown on the lava-rich soils around Lake Bolsena and Lake Vico, to structured reds and Lazio sparkling wines. Often, the producers themselves are on hand to share the stories behind their wines, turning every sip into a personal encounter with those who work the vineyards year-round.
How it works
- Pick up your official tasting glass and lanyard at the distribution points set up in the main squares.
- Purchase tasting tokens to spend freely along the route.
- Each participating venue offers a selection of wines and local dishes, such as porchetta, handmade pasta, and other Viterbo specialties.
- The evenings run from 7:00 PM onwards, set against the convivial backdrop of the illuminated squares.
Beyond the Glass: guided tastings
Alongside the self-guided tour, the «Oltre il Calice» (Beyond the Glass) series offers guided tastings led by Carlo Zucchetti, the «gastronome with the hat», in the gardens of Palazzo dei Priori in Piazza del Plebiscito. These thematic sessions delve into Cesanese wines, the territories between the Paglia and Tiber rivers, and the Maremma, perfect for those looking to deepen their understanding of the terroirs of Lazio and Central Italy.
A celebration for the city and its territory
Born in 2025 from a collaboration between local restaurateurs and Tuscia wineries, the event is sponsored by the Municipality of Viterbo and supported by the Lazio Region, ARSIAL, the Province of Viterbo, and the Rieti-Viterbo Chamber of Commerce, with technical partners including AIS Lazio, Slow Food Viterbo, and FISAR. More than just a wine festival, Calici Diffusi is a model of experiential tourism that blends urban heritage with wine culture: the medieval and Renaissance architecture of the center becomes the natural stage for a collective story of the land, where—as the organizers like to say—«if one wins, we all win».
Calici Diffusi — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Calici Diffusi returned «and doubled»: for the first time, the event spanned two consecutive weekends, from June 25–27 and July 2–4, confirming the success of the inaugural edition. The numbers reflect its growth: 32 venues in the city's medieval heart, 56 local wineries, over 230 labels available for tasting, and 140 companies involved in supporting the event.
Five collection points for the official glass were set up in the main squares: Piazza Verdi, Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza del Plebiscito, Piazza della Morte, and Piazza Unità d'Italia. Every evening from 7:00 PM, the historic center came alive with tastings, music, and outdoor tables, with dishes from local restaurateurs—ranging from porchetta to handmade pasta—priced between 4 and 10 €.
The 2026 edition, dedicated to Slow Food founder Carlin Petrini, also offered six evenings of guided tastings as part of the «Oltre il Calice» series, led by Carlo Zucchetti at 7:00 PM in the Palazzo dei Priori gardens, featuring deep dives into Cesanese wines, the lands between the Paglia and Tiber rivers, and the Maremma.
Programme Calici Diffusi 2026
Two weekends of tastings — June 25, 26, 27 and July 2, 3, 4, 2026, from 7:00 PM in Viterbo's historic center.
- Wine trail: 32 participating venues with 56 Tuscia wineries and over 230 labels; glass collection points in Piazza Verdi, Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza del Plebiscito, Piazza della Morte, and Piazza Unità d'Italia.
- «Oltre il Calice»: six evenings of guided tastings led by Carlo Zucchetti at 7:00 PM in the Palazzo dei Priori garden (Piazza del Plebiscito), focusing on Cesanese wines, the territories between the Paglia and Tiber rivers, and the Maremma.
- Local cuisine: gastronomic offerings from local restaurateurs (porchetta, handmade pasta, Viterbo specialties) priced between 4 and 10 €.
The 2026 edition is dedicated to Carlin Petrini.
Highlights Calici Diffusi 2026
- Two consecutive weekends: June 25-27 and July 2-4, 2026
- 56 Tuscia wineries and over 230 labels for tasting
- 32 participating venues in the medieval historic center
- Six «Oltre il Calice» guided tastings with Carlo Zucchetti at Palazzo dei Priori
- Edition dedicated to Carlin Petrini
Prices Calici Diffusi 2026
Practical information — Calici Diffusi
Getting there
Viterbo can be reached from Rome by train via the FL3 Rome–Viterbo line (Porta Romana and Porta Fiorentina stations, both a few minutes' walk from the historic center) or by car via the SS675 expressway or the Via Cassia. During the event, traffic restrictions apply in the historic center; it is recommended to park outside the city walls and continue on foot.
Admission and tastings
Participation is free: simply purchase the official tasting glass with a lanyard (4 € in the 2026 edition) at the distribution points in the main squares and use tokens for tastings at participating venues. Evenings begin at 7:00 PM. Dishes offered by local restaurants typically cost between 4 and 10 €.
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Where does it take place — Calici Diffusi
Centro storico di Viterbo
Centro storico, 01100 Viterbo