For Saint Martin, Every Must Becomes Wine

A festival born from a proverb

For Saint Martin, Every Must Becomes Wine is the food and wine festival that every year, during the weekend around Saint Martin's Day (November 11), brings the historic center of Blera to life—a small town in the Province of Viterbo, in the heart of the Lazio Tuscia. The event's name comes from an old farmers' saying: it is during these days that the must finishes fermenting and becomes wine, while the new oil is pressed in the mills. The event, organized by the Pro Loco of Blera in collaboration with local entities, reached its sixteenth edition in 2025.

Cellars carved into the tuff

The heart of the festival lies in the characteristic cellars carved into the tuff of the historic center, opened specifically for the occasion. In the 2025 edition, there were nine main cellars for lunch and dinner, accompanied by several others dedicated to snacks and aperitifs. Here, the locals prepare traditional dishes at a fixed price, paired with local wine: an authentic way to discover the village's hospitality and explore fascinating underground spaces.

Local flavors

The festival is a showcase for the typical products of the Blera area. The stars are Blera extra virgin olive oil, scorzone truffle, and Maremmana breed beef. In Piazza dei Papi, a large marquee offers grilled meat, bruschetta with new oil, and mulled wine, while tastings and samplings can be found throughout the alleys.

• New wine and wines from the Tuscia region
• Freshly pressed extra virgin olive oil
• Scorzone truffle from the surrounding woods
• Grilled Maremmana beef and traditional Blera dishes

Walks among the Etruscan necropolises

Beyond the table, the event offers a rich cultural program that highlights the archaeological heritage of Blera, an ancient town of Etruscan origin. Walks and excursions are organized to the nearby necropolises, featuring reconstructions of funerary goods and historical re-enactments in costume. The historic center is enlivened by street performers and musical groups that accompany visitors from one cellar to the next.

A Tuscia village in celebration

Nestled among the badlands and woods of the Tuscia region, Blera preserves a compact and evocative medieval center, crossed by alleys and stairways. During the Saint Martin weekend, the village rediscovers its most convivial side: the festival is an opportunity for the community to meet and for visitors to discover a place where good food meets history. The event is part of the Lazio autumn calendar dedicated to wine and new oil, and is one of the most cherished in the area.