Controguerra Food and Wine Festival

The Controguerra Food and Wine Festival

In the heart of the Val Vibrata, at the far north of Abruzzo and just a few kilometers from the border with the Marche region, the village of Controguerra (province of Teramo) is known as the City of Wine and City of Oil. It is in this setting that, every year between late July and early August, the historic center comes alive with the Controguerra Food and Wine Festival, a staple of the Teramo summer now in its thirty-ninth edition.

A tradition rooted in the territory

Organized by the Pro Loco Controguerra APS, the festival has made the promotion of local products and popular traditions its hallmark. For six evenings, the alleys and small squares of the village transform into a culinary journey, featuring food stalls, open-air dining tables, and tasting counters. The event has rightfully become one of the most iconic festivals in the Val Vibrata area, attracting visitors from all over Abruzzo and the nearby Marche region.

Traditional Abruzzese dishes

The heart of the festival is the most genuine Abruzzese cuisine. The stalls offer the great classics of the territory:

• Mezze maniche with Controguerra DOC, the signature dish of the event, tossed with local wine;
• Beans and pork rinds, a humble dish of peasant tradition;
• Arrosticini of castrato, sheep meat skewers cooked over embers, an icon of Abruzzese gastronomy;
• Fried cheese and oven-baked specialties;
• Sweet crepes and fritters to round off the meal.

Wine and oil, protagonists of the territory

As Controguerra is a City of Wine, wine tastings play a central role. About ten local wineries offer their labels: the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Controguerra DOC reds and the Trebbiano-based whites. As a City of Oil, the village also offers the chance to sample locally produced extra virgin olive oils.

Music and entertainment

Every evening, the festival offers shows and live music: two stages host live bands and DJ sets to accompany the evening hours, along with comedy performances, shows in the Abruzzese dialect, and entertainment moments designed for families and children. The atmosphere remains that of a genuine village feast, where food, wine, and conviviality are at the center of the experience.

Practical information

The Controguerra Food and Wine Festival takes place in the historic center of the town, with stalls opening in the evening. Admission to the area is free; you pay for what you consume at the food stalls and tasting counters. An ideal opportunity to discover an authentic village of the Teramo area of Abruzzo and its wine culture.