Cheese FestiVal di Sole – Alpine Dairy Cheese Auction (at Castel Caldes)

The Alpine dairy cheese auction in the heart of Val di Sole

In the village of Caldes, in the province of Trento and in the heart of Val di Sole (Trentino-Alto Adige), the medieval manor of Castel Caldes provides the backdrop for one of the most anticipated events of the Trentino autumn: the Alpine Dairy Cheese Auction. The event serves as the grand finale of the Cheese FestiVal di Sole, a widespread festival that celebrates cheese, dairy culture, and the valley's agricultural traditions for two weeks.

How the auction works

In the evocative setting of the castle, an auctioneer puts up for bid the finest wheels brought from the mountain dairies of Val di Sole and other Trentino valleys. These are cheeses with varying aging periods, some reaching several years of maturation: rare and sought-after pieces, contested by Michelin-starred chefs, restaurateurs, and enthusiasts ready to do anything to win the most precious wheels. The atmosphere is warm and convivial, filled with tastings, stories from the dairymen, and the scent of mountain cheese.

Casolét and alpine culture

The symbolic heart of the event is Casolét, the typical cheese of Val di Sole made from raw cow's milk: once a daily staple for mountain families, it is now a protected treasure of the local dairy tradition. The auction is much more than a sale: it is a tribute to the work of the dairymen and a heritage of knowledge passed down through the high-altitude pastures.

The Cheese FestiVal di Sole

The Alpine Dairy Cheese Auction is part of the Cheese FestiVal di Sole program, which brings various villages in the valley to life with livestock fairs, agricultural festivals, traditional transhumance, and tastings. Key events include: the Fera dei Sèt in Ossana, the Agricultural Festival in Val di Peio, the Fera de San Maté in Malé, and Latte in Festa in Val di Rabbi, featuring the characteristic Desmalghjada, the festive descent of the herds from the alpine pastures.

An event by reservation

Given the intimate setting of Castel Caldes, the Alpine Dairy Cheese Auction has limited seating and requires reservations. The event is organized by the Val di Sole Tourist Board in collaboration with the Municipality of Caldes, the Castello del Buonconsiglio, and the BIM Adige consortium, representing a unique opportunity to rediscover the authentic essence of the valley.