Golosaria among the Monferrato Castles – Quargnento Preview

The preview that ignites Golosaria in Monferrato

Every great festival has its prelude, and for Golosaria among the Monferrato Castles, this moment takes place in Quargnento, a small town in the Province of Alessandria nestled among the hills of the Lower Monferrato, in Piedmont. On Friday, May 15, 2026, the town hosts the official preview of the event, a night that symbolically opens the twentieth anniversary edition before over forty villages between the provinces of Asti and Alessandria throw open the doors of their castles, wineries, and squares the following weekend.

A tribute to the "metropolitan Monferrini"

This year's theme, "Taste, Home, and Hills," tells the story of a Monferrato that has successfully reversed the trend of depopulation by focusing on a return to the land and quality of life. In Quargnento, this spirit takes shape in a tribute to two great artists who chose these hills as their refuge: Ornella Vanoni and Gino Paoli, the "metropolitan Monferrini" to whom the evening of music and readings is dedicated.

Art and Futurist cuisine

The preview is not just about music. Quargnento, the birthplace of painter Carlo Carrà, celebrates its most illustrious artist with the 15th Impromptu Painting Competition titled "The Road Home," while local establishments offer forays into Futurist cuisine, creating a dialogue between early 20th-century avant-garde and contemporary flavors. It is the way Monferrato tells its own story: a territory where taste, art, and landscape have always been intertwined.

The heart of the event

Curated by food and wine journalist Paolo Massobrio and born from the experience of Il Golosario, Golosaria among the Monferrato Castles is one of the most beloved food and wine festivals in Piedmont. Quargnento is part of Itinerary 5, along with Altavilla Monferrato, Fubine, Quattordio, and Viarigi: a route that invites you to discover the region's wineries, producers, and traditional kitchens.

Why it's worth attending

• It is the official opening night of the twentieth anniversary edition.
• A refined tribute to Ornella Vanoni and Gino Paoli at the Auditorium della Trinità.
• The art of Carlo Carrà and the allure of Futurist cuisine.
• The ideal starting point to then experience the great widespread weekend of May 16-17.