Canelli City of Wine

A festival dedicated to the bubbles of Canelli

Canelli City of Wine is the food and wine event that transforms the historic center of Canelli, in the heart of the Asti Monferrato region in the Province of Asti (Piedmont), into the capital of sweet sparkling wines every summer. For a full weekend in July, the streets, squares, and local cellars come alive with tasting booths, meetings with producers, and moments of authentic conviviality, offering a journey that combines the pleasure of wine with the discovery of a stunning hilly landscape.

The Underground Cathedrals, a UNESCO World Heritage site

The symbolic heart of the festival is the famous Underground Cathedrals of Canelli, historic galleries carved into the tuff rock where sparkling wine has been aged for generations. These evocative underground spaces, included in the UNESCO World Heritage list alongside the vineyard landscapes of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato, host masterclasses and guided tours that take the public on a journey through history, culture, and oenological excellence.

The featured wines

The event showcases the most representative denominations of the territory, presented by producers and sommeliers during tastings:

• Asti DOCG and Moscato di Canelli, symbols of sweet and aromatic sparkling wines
• Canelli DOCG, a recent denomination that highlights the historic Moscato zone
• Alta Langa DOCG, the Piedmontese traditional method sparkling wine
• Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG, an aromatic and fragrant red wine
• Vermouth, the aromatized wine tied to Canelli's tradition

Tastings, music, and culture

In addition to the underground masterclasses, the program features the Cortile delle Bollicine, widespread tasting booths, mixology offerings, street food curated by local Pro Loco associations and restaurateurs, as well as guided tours of the historic center starting from Piazza Cavour. There is no shortage of concerts, including a performance by the Orchestra Fiati Città di Canelli, art exhibitions, and activities to discover the surrounding hills, from e-bike excursions to panoramic tours. The festival involves iconic city landmarks such as the historic cellars, the Church of San Rocco, and the spaces of the former Contratto Vermouth.

A territory to be experienced

Canelli City of Wine is much more than a food festival: it is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the identity of a village that has made sparkling wine its vocation. Walking through the streets and descending into the tuff galleries, visitors understand why this corner of Piedmont has become one of the most fascinating destinations for Italian wine tourism.