Cantine Raperte in Genazzano

A village that reopens its cellars

Cantine Raperte is the festival that transforms the historic center of Genazzano—a town in the Metropolitan City of Rome, Lazio—into a journey of taste and conviviality every September. The name, in the local dialect, simply means «reopened cellars»: for three days, the historic cellars carved into the tuff beneath the village houses welcome visitors with long tables, glasses of wine, and traditional home-style Prenestino cuisine.

A route through alleys and squares

The festival route winds along Corso Cardinali Vannutelli and Piazza E. D'Amico, right at the foot of the Castello Colonna that dominates the town. Alongside the cellars opened by residents and local associations, you will find tasting stands and a small craft market, while the streets fill with roving musicians. It is a simple and highly effective formula: walk, stop, taste, and continue.

What to eat and drink

The gastronomic offerings highlight products from the Monti Prenestini region and traditional home recipes, served directly in the cellars and at the stands:

• local wines served by the glass in the historic cellars;
• traditional peasant-style first courses and handmade pasta;
• cured meats, cheeses, and typical products from the Prenestino area;
• homemade desserts and seasonal specialties.

In recent editions, some cellars have also welcomed visitors for lunch, sometimes by reservation: a useful detail to check on official channels before you go.

Music, streets, and tradition

The event's soundtrack is primarily provided by folk music and street bands: folk groups, brass bands, and Brazilian percussion ensembles that parade through the village, drawing in the crowds. The 2025 edition featured performances by AllaRiversa, Bateria Sambarato, the Smilf Street Band, Cavesja, Samba Precario, and the Black Brass Band, among others.

More than just food and wine

Cantine Raperte has always complemented its wine and food offerings with a rotating program of side events: vintage car parades organized by the «L'Antico Garage» club, excursions, sports and cultural initiatives, and entertainment for children with games and puppet shows in the square. In recent years, organizers have also focused on sustainability, using eco-friendly and recyclable materials throughout the festival route.

Why it's worth the trip

Genazzano is one of the most charming villages in the Monti Prenestini, known for the Castello Colonna, the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Buon Consiglio, and the Nymphaeum attributed to Bramante. Experiencing the village at night, with the cellars illuminated and music echoing through the alleys, is the most authentic way to discover it. The festival is not a tourist trap, but a community ritual to which you are warmly invited. For those coming from Rome, it is an easy evening trip of just over an hour, perfect for combining a visit to the village with the surrounding vineyards.