DivinArte

A festival where wine becomes a cultural language

DivinArte is a cultural and oenological event held every autumn in Nepi, a town in the province of Viterbo in the heart of the Tuscia region, Lazio. Conceived and curated by artistic director Simona Benedetti for the AmorArte cultural association, the festival weaves together contemporary art and guided tastings into a single experience: wine is not merely a gastronomic accompaniment but, as the organizers like to say, a true cultural language through which to interpret a territory.

The setting: Forte dei Borgia

The heart of the event is the Forte dei Borgia, the fortress built between the 15th and 16th centuries and linked to the name of Lucrezia Borgia, Lady of Nepi. For a few days, its bastions, courtyards, and interior halls become exhibition spaces and stages: artworks are scattered along a route that visitors can explore freely, encountering installations, live performances, dance acts, or musical sets. The layout enhances the monument as much as the works themselves, making the visit a destination in its own right in the Tuscia region.

Over fifty artists on stage

Each edition brings together more than fifty artists, both Italian and international, in a true cultural marathon that runs from the afternoon until late at night. The disciplines involved are diverse:

• visual arts: painting, sculpture, photography, installations, and video projections;
• live music: from guitar quartets to folk groups, as well as DJ sets and electronic music;
• theatre and dance: site-specific performances designed for the fortress environment;
• literature: book presentations, poetry readings, conferences, and author meet-and-greets.

Every year, the festival builds its program around a theme or an inspiring figure: past editions have paid tribute to Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, and, in 2025, the Sicilian photographer Letizia Battaglia, featuring an extensive narrative of Sicily and its artistic legacy.

The wine scene: AIS tastings

The wine selection is curated in collaboration with AIS sommeliers, with guest producer coordination managed by Maurizio Giovannetti. Alongside the tasting counters, guided tastings and thematic seminars take place: deep dives into rosé wines, sessions on distillation and gin, and reflections on the ethics of viticulture. There is no shortage of food stands, pairing local products with the wines. The formula is simple and highly popular: access to exhibitions and performances is free, while those wishing to drink can purchase a tasting package that includes a glass and a branded glass-holder pouch.

Why it's worth the trip

DivinArte is one of the most recognizable highlights of the Tuscia cultural autumn: it combines in a few hours what is usually spread across multiple events elsewhere—a collective contemporary art exhibition, a live performance schedule, and a visitor-friendly wine fair. All this in a village, Nepi, famous for its mineral waters and the tuff gorges that surround it, less than an hour from Rome. Those arriving with time to spare can combine their festival visit with a stroll through the historic centre, the aqueduct, and the remains of the Faliscan necropolis.