Grape Festival

A tribute to the harvest in the heart of the Alta Murgia

The Grape Festival is the event through which Minervino Murge, a village overlooking the Alta Murgia in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, pays homage to its agricultural roots and the ancient Apulian winemaking culture. Also known as the Grape and Wine Festival, the event celebrates the most anticipated moment of the farming year: the harvest, transforming the town into a showcase for local producers and regional flavors.

Pageants, grape stomping, and farming traditions

The heart of the festival is the re-enactment of ancient harvest practices. A costumed pageant parades through the streets of the center to the main square, where the grape harvest and the evocative barefoot grape stomping in wooden vats are staged—a gesture that takes you back in time and tells the story of the hard work and joy of life in the fields. Around these moments, there are performances, traditional games, and entertainment for all ages.

Native wines: Aglianico and Nero di Troia

The absolute stars are the native grape varieties of the Alta Murgia, particularly Aglianico and Nero di Troia, offered for tasting by local wineries. Alongside the glasses of wine, there are typical local products in a food and wine journey that highlights the deep bond between Minervino Murge and its generous land, characterized by vineyards, olive groves, and the white stone of the Murgia.

Music, gastronomy, and a dessert contest

The evening comes alive with live folk music, dance performances, and social moments that accompany the tastings. A must-see is the creative grape-based dessert contest, which features local pastry chefs, bakers, and enthusiasts competing to reinterpret the festival's iconic fruit. It is a perfect opportunity to discover the most authentic side of Apulia, that of its villages and shared traditions.

A festival born from volunteer work

The Grape Festival is organized by the Associazione Volontari per Minervino '96 with the patronage of the Municipality of Minervino Murge, and is part of the town's summer calendar alongside other local traditional events. Established in 2019 in Piazza De Deo, the event has found a home at Villa Faro in recent years, confirming its status as one of the most anticipated events of the Minervino summer.