Calici in Centro

Wine takes center stage in the tuff cellars of Lacedonia

In Lacedonia, nestled in the heart of Alta Irpinia in the province of Avellino, Calici in Centro is much more than a simple tasting event: it is the moment the entire historic center turns into a gourmet trail. The ancient cellars carved into the tuff, which for generations have stored the families' wine, reopen their doors to become tasting spots, while the narrow alleys, small squares, and courtyards light up with music and aromas.

The event is promoted by the Pro Loco "Gino Chicone" Lacedonia APS, which has been enlivening the village with this celebration of flavors and traditions for years, in collaboration with the Municipality of Lacedonia. The concept is simple: pick up your glass, stroll through the center, and taste your way from cellar to cellar, with the entire village providing a stunning backdrop.

A border event between Campania, Puglia, and Basilicata

Lacedonia occupies a unique position: it is a border town, the point where Campania meets Puglia and Basilicata. Calici in Centro has made this identity its guiding theme, comparing the nuances of the three neighboring areas and turning wine into the absolute protagonist of a sensory journey across territories that are close yet deeply distinct.

Past editions have hosted wineries from all three regions: featured producers include names like Due Palme of Cellino San Marco, Cantine Costantinopoli of Canosa, Cantine di Venosa, Colli Cerentino of Rionero, Cantine del Notaio, Del Taburno, Terre Stregate, and La Guardiense, alongside local Irpinian labels.

Guided tastings and technical workshops

Alongside the tasting stands, the event has featured guided tastings and technical workshops led by industry professionals, offering in-depth looks at grape varieties and their regions of origin. In one of the most extensive editions, the route stretched from the Town Hall square to the Porta del Sole for the opening of the stands, the Piazzetta Nicola Vella for the tasting lounge, and Via Pennino at Largo Bortone for the evening technical workshop, hosted by Paola Restelli, Wine Immersive Ambassador, and Simone Feoli, national instructor for ONAV Campania.

Music, caciocavallo impiccato, and village cuisine

Wine is not alone. The most picturesque corners of the village become small stages for musical groups and roaming performers, while food stalls serve traditional Irpinian dishes. The gastronomic symbol of the festival is the caciocavallo impiccato—a wheel of cheese hung over embers, slowly melting to be drizzled over warm bread. In Irpinia, this is a ritual as captivating as a show.

• Historic tuff cellars opened as tasting points
• A comparison of wines from Campania, Puglia, and Basilicata
• Guided tastings and workshops with industry experts
• Live music throughout the alleys and squares
• Caciocavallo impiccato and typical Alta Irpinia products

Two seasons: summer and Calici in Centro Winter

In recent years, the event has doubled. The historic August gathering, which takes advantage of the mild summer evenings in Lacedonia, has been joined by the winter version, Calici in Centro Winter, which brings the same formula to the festive, illuminated alleys during the Christmas holidays. The second winter edition took place on December 29, 2025, featuring food and wine tastings dedicated to the traditions and roots of the area—a choice that extends the event's reach and engages those returning to the village for the holidays.

Lacedonia, a village to discover

Attending Calici in Centro is also the perfect opportunity to explore Lacedonia, one of the easternmost villages in Campania, overlooking the Ofanto valleys and surrounded by a vast landscape of wheat and sweeping horizons. The historic center preserves its ancient layout of stairs, arches, and underpasses, which is exactly why the formula works: here, the cellars are not a temporary setup, but a permanent part of the village's foundation. The village also hosts the MAVI, an anthropological visual museum linked to the photographic work of American anthropologist Frank Cancian, who documented daily life in Lacedonia.

Why it's worth the trip

Compared to large-scale wine festivals, the scale here is intimate, and that is where the quality lies: you drink well, you don't have to walk far, and you can talk to the producers without waiting in line. For those who want to understand Irpinian wine away from the beaten path, Lacedonia is an excellent starting point.