Degusta in Jazz (Winter Session)

Jazz meets Vernaccia among the towers of San Gimignano

Degusta in Jazz is a festival that pairs great jazz music with the finest local food and wine in the charming medieval village of San Gimignano, in the province of Siena, in the heart of Tuscany. The event is held in two sessions: a winter edition in early January and a summer edition in August. The winter session transforms the town's historic halls into intimate musical lounges, where concerts are perfectly complemented by glasses of Vernaccia di San Gimignano, the celebrated DOCG white wine that has made this region famous worldwide.

The January Winter Session

Now in its fifth winter edition, the January 2026 session took place from January 3rd to 6th, with a preview at the Pieve di Cellole and the main concerts held in the Sala della Cancelleria on Via San Matteo. All events are free of charge, a choice that makes the festival accessible to both residents and visitors during the holiday season.

The program alternates between established ensembles and young musicians from conservatories and academies, thanks to collaborations with institutions like Siena Jazz and the Conservatorio Puccini of La Spezia. Recurring highlights include instrumental duos and quartets, youth orchestras, and the "Winter Pages" storytelling sessions, where music and narrative trace the lives and works of jazz legends, from Chet Baker to Django Reinhardt.

Artistic direction and identity

The festival is curated by double bassist Ferruccio Spinetti, whose artistic direction ensures a high-quality program that showcases both major names and emerging talents. The event is promoted by the San Gimignano Hotel Association in partnership with the Degusta in Jazz Eventi Association, as part of the town's "Accade d'Inverno" winter calendar.

Music and tastings

The core theme of the festival is the pairing of jazz and tasting. Each concert is accompanied by the opportunity to savor Vernaccia di San Gimignano, in collaboration with the local wine consortium, alongside typical products from the Val d'Elsa. This formula makes Degusta in Jazz much more than just a music festival: it is an experience that blends culture, listening, and taste in one of Tuscany's most beloved villages, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

• Where: Sala della Cancelleria (Via San Matteo) and Pieve di Cellole, San Gimignano
• When: Winter session in January (Summer session in August)
• Admission: Free of charge
• Artistic Director: Ferruccio Spinetti