Falerno Fest (Appia Day – The Appian Way and the Ager Falernus)

Falerno Fest, the wine festival in the heart of the Ager Falernus

The Falerno Fest is the wine festival of Falciano del Massico, a small village in the upper Caserta area nestled between the slopes of Mount Massico and the plain that the Romans called Ager Falernus. Organized by the Municipality of Falciano del Massico, the event celebrates Falerno del Massico, one of Italy's oldest and most celebrated wines, once praised by Latin poets like Horace and Martial. The event takes place every year in the historic center, along the charming Corso del Re, transforming the village streets into a journey of flavors, music, and traditions.

An event blending wine, culture, and local history

Falerno Fest was born within the Borghi di Attrattività Project of Falciano del Massico, funded by the European Union and supported by the Ministry of Culture, with the goal of highlighting the oenological and historical identity of this corner of Campania. The event is traditionally coordinated with Appia Day, the national initiative celebrating the Appian Way, a UNESCO World Heritage site: hence the recurring theme of the festival, "The Appian Way and the Ager Falernus – Memory and Territory," which weaves together the story of the great consular road with that of the Falerno lands.

What to expect

The day usually begins in the late afternoon with a conference dedicated to the world of wine, hosted in the historic church of Santi Rocco e Martino, with the participation of experts, sommeliers, and representatives of protection consortia. From the evening onwards, the festival moves through the streets of the ancient village with:

• Food and wine stalls and guided tastings of Falerno wine;
• Typical local products from the Falciano del Massico area;
• Musical shows and performances by street artists;
• Children's entertainment and family activities.

Falerno del Massico wine

Produced on the volcanic hills of Mount Massico, Falerno del Massico is a DOC wine that includes red versions (based on Aglianico and Piedirosso) and white versions (Falanghina). Drinking a glass of Falerno during the festival means retracing a thousand-year history rooted in Roman antiquity, when Falernum was considered the most prized wine of the Empire.

A village to discover

Falciano del Massico, in the province of Caserta, offers visitors the chance to discover an authentic territory, among vineyards, rural traditions, and archaeological evidence linked to the Appian Way. Falerno Fest is the ideal opportunity to combine a day trip with the tasting of one of Campania's great wines, in an atmosphere of popular celebration that involves the entire community.