Chestnut and Wine Festival

One of Irpinia's longest-running festivals

The Chestnut and Wine Festival in Sorbo Serpico is a staple of the Irpinian autumn. This small town in the province of Avellino, nestled at about 480 meters above sea level on the slopes of Mount Terminio in Campania, has hosted the event for over forty years. The 41st edition was celebrated in October 2025, following the 40th anniversary in 2024. Few festivals in Campania can boast such longevity, built year after year by the voluntary work of the local residents.

The chestnut: the undisputed star

The upper reaches of Sorbo Serpico are covered in extensive chestnut groves, which have always been a primary resource for the local economy. During the festival, the chestnut is presented in every possible form, from classic roasted chestnuts to more elaborate preparations:

• Caldarroste (roasted chestnuts) prepared over open fires along the village streets
• Vallani, chestnuts boiled according to peasant tradition
• Bean and chestnut soup, a humble and iconic local dish
• Cuoppo of chestnut croquettes
• Chestnut beer and artisanal chestnut-based desserts

Other traditional flavors

Alongside the chestnut, the stalls set up in the historic center offer the best of Irpinian peasant cuisine. Local women prepare maccaronara, fresh hand-rolled pasta served with sauce, while grills turn out meat and fried specialties. There is no shortage of caciocavallo impiccato (hanging cheese), stuffed peppers, pork with potatoes and peppers, nougat, and artisanal honey. This is a cuisine that needs no refinement: it is born directly from the forests and gardens surrounding the village.

The wine: Fiano and Aglianico

Sorbo Serpico is part of the Fiano di Avellino denomination, and its hills have been cultivated with vines for centuries. At the festival, dishes are paired with a selection of local wines, particularly Aglianico and Fiano, which express the oenological vocation of this corner of Irpinia better than any description. The chestnut-wine pairing, which gives the event its name, is not just a marketing slogan but a faithful portrait of the municipality's agricultural economy.

Music, crafts, and village life

The festival is about more than just gastronomy. Along the route, live music bands and DJs perform, while artisans display their creations in the corners of the ancient village. Sunday is traditionally dedicated to families, with entertainment designed for children. Those arriving during the day can take advantage of the village's location for a walk toward the chestnut groves and the woods of Mount Terminio, amidst the vibrant autumn colors.

Who organizes the event

The event is managed by the Comitato Festa Maria SS. della Neve, in collaboration with the municipal administration and local associations. It is a festival built entirely by the village, and it shows: the hospitality is that of the small villages of the Campanian Apennines, far removed from the commercial logic of large food and wine fairs.

When it takes place

The event usually falls on the last weekend of October, spanning three days from Friday to Sunday. The dates for the new edition are generally announced close to autumn through the organizing committee's social media channels and the local Irpinian press: it is advisable to check them before traveling.