Festival of Sapa and Mulled Wine
The autumn festival of Vallesina flavors in Rosora
About Festival of Sapa
A village festival dedicated to autumn flavors
The Festival of Sapa and Mulled Wine is the most anticipated autumn event in Rosora, a small municipality of just under two thousand inhabitants perched at 380 meters above sea level on the hills of Vallesina, in the province of Ancona, in the Marche region. Every year, towards the end of October, the medieval village comes alive with scents, music, and flavors linked to the grape harvest and the ancient peasant traditions of the area.
Sapa, the star product of Marche tradition
The absolute protagonist is sapa, one of the most typical and ancient foods of the Marche countryside: it is grape must slowly cooked until it becomes a dense, dark syrup with an intense and enveloping flavor. In the past, it was prepared in peasant homes right after the harvest and used to sweeten rustic desserts, flavor cheeses and meats, or simply enjoyed with bread. Alongside sapa, the other great protagonist is mulled wine, spiced red wine served hot, often in terracotta cups, perfect for warming up autumn evenings.
What you'll find in the square
Along the streets of the historic center, the Pro Loco Rosora sets up food stalls where you can taste seasonal specialties:
- Sapa in all its variations, from desserts to pairings with local cheeses and meats
- Hot mulled wine
- Roasted chestnuts and traditional rustic desserts
- Stuffed crescie and other typical Marche products
Tradition, music, and community
The festival is not just about food: the village fills with folk music, entertainment, and convivial moments that make the event a true community celebration. In past editions, the Pro Loco has also screened short films dedicated to the preparation of sapa, to tell new generations about an ancient knowledge that risks being lost.
The commitment of Pro Loco Rosora
The event is entirely managed by Pro Loco Rosora, a historic local association active for over seventy years in promoting local traditions. Thanks to the work of volunteers, the Festival of Sapa and Mulled Wine has grown over time to become a benchmark for lovers of authentic festivals in the inner Marche region, attracting visitors from all over Vallesina and beyond.
A village to discover
Visiting Rosora during the festival is also an opportunity to discover a charming medieval village, with its castle and typical Vallesina views, from which you can admire a hilly landscape dotted with ancient castles. Admission to the event is free.
Festival of Sapa — edition 2026
The 29th edition of the Festival of Sapa and Mulled Wine is scheduled in Rosora from October 23 to 25, 2026, according to the calendar of events for the Marche region. As tradition dictates, the heart of the festival will be the historic center of the village, enlivened by the food stalls of the Pro Loco Rosora.
The protagonists will once again be sapa, the typical cooked grape syrup of the Marche countryside, and mulled wine served hot, accompanied by roasted chestnuts, stuffed crescie, and traditional desserts. The detailed program with times and events has not yet been published by the organizers: it is advisable to follow the official channels of Pro Loco Rosora for updates.
Programme Festival of Sapa 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition, including stall opening hours, shows, and side events, has not yet been released by Pro Loco Rosora. Based on previous editions, the festival spans three days with food stalls opening in the late afternoon (and at lunchtime on holidays), tastings of sapa and mulled wine, folk music, and convivial moments in the historic center. Information will be updated as soon as it becomes available.
Highlights Festival of Sapa 2026
- Tastings of sapa, the traditional Marche cooked grape syrup
- Mulled wine served hot in the village streets
- Roasted chestnuts, crescie, and traditional autumn rustic desserts
- Folk music and festive atmosphere in the medieval historic center
Prices Festival of Sapa 2026
Practical information — Festival of Sapa
How to get there
Rosora is located in the hinterland of the province of Ancona, in the Marche region. By car, it can be reached from the A14 Ancona Nord motorway exit, continuing along the SS76 Vallesina highway towards Jesi and the inner Vallesina. The nearest train station is Jesi, on the Ancona-Rome line.
Admission and hours
Admission to the festival is free. The food stalls in the historic center generally open in the late afternoon and also at lunchtime on holidays. It is advisable to check the dates and updated program on the Pro Loco Rosora channels before departing.
Tips
As it is an autumn festival in the hills, evenings can be cool: appropriate clothing is recommended. Parking near the historic center is limited.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Festival of Sapa
Centro storico di Rosora