Cesanese Festival

Cesanese, the soul of Olevano Romano

Perched at an altitude of 571 meters in the Prenestini Mountains, just over forty kilometers east of Rome, the town of Olevano Romano has been a land of vineyards for centuries. This is the birthplace of Cesanese di Olevano Romano DOC, a full-bodied, fragrant red wine grown on the volcanic hills overlooking the Sacco Valley—a wine that has defined the town's identity and has had its own dedicated festival since the late 1970s. Today, the Cesanese Festival is one of the most renowned food and wine events in the Metropolitan City of Rome and the entire Lazio region, attracting thousands of visitors from Rome, the Ciociaria area, and beyond over four days.

A festival with over half a century of history

Born in the 1970s as a showcase for local production, the festival has navigated the town's recent history without losing its popular spirit. In 2025, it reached the symbolic milestone of its 50th edition; 2026 marks the 51st. Organized by the Municipality of Olevano Romano in partnership with the Pro Loco and with the support of local wineries and associations, it remains a celebration created by the town for the town, while now welcoming a broad, cross-regional audience.

What to expect at the festival

The heart of the event is the medieval historic center, which transforms into a continuous trail of tastings and music for four evenings. The streets and squares—from Piazza Umberto I with its Quattro Cannelle fountain to Piazzale Aldo Moro—host producer stands and exhibitor stalls.

• Cesanese tastings in the village's historic cellars and at local winery stands;
• Street-side dining: Olevano's restaurants set up outdoor tables serving traditional Lazio dishes;
• Local products: cured meats, cheeses, local bread, olive oil, and homemade desserts;
• Winery and vineyard tours, with guided paths and sensory workshops dedicated to wine;
• Craft markets along the streets of the center;
• Concerts, theater performances, and cabaret in the squares, with free admission;
• Photo exhibitions and cultural initiatives in municipal spaces;
• Parade of allegorical floats created by local neighborhood groups, the traditional closing event.

The atmosphere

Visitors arriving in Olevano Romano during the festival find a transformed village: fairy lights among the stone houses, pedestrian-only alleys, the scent of grills, and wine served in glasses carried from stand to stand. It is an evening festival—starting in the late afternoon and continuing until late at night—with a diverse crowd of families, groups of friends, and wine enthusiasts. The compact size of the village means everything is within walking distance, with no need for transport.

More than just wine

The festival now includes other initiatives that expand the program: the Terra del Cesanese Wine Route offers events dedicated to wineries, while 2026 sees the debut of the Cesanese Race, a 5-kilometer road race through the town center organized by the ASD Olibanum Overrunners with municipal patronage. It is another way to experience Olevano beyond the glass.

When to go

The festival is traditionally held between late August and early September, just before the grape harvest. It is the perfect opportunity to discover a corner of Lazio still untouched by mass tourism, less than an hour's drive from the capital, amidst vineyards, forests, and the villages of the Prenestini Mountains.