Grape Festival of Pieve Salutare

A tradition dating back to 1957

The Grape Festival of Pieve Salutare is one of the most deeply rooted and long-standing events in the area: established in 1957, it has been part of the event calendar of Castrocaro Terme and Terra del Sole, in the province of Forlì-Cesena, for over sixty years. It takes place every year on the second Sunday of September, when summer gives way to autumn and the Romagna countryside enters the heart of the grape harvest.

Where it takes place

Pieve Salutare is a small hilly hamlet of Castrocaro Terme, nestled between Castrocaro and Dovadola, a few kilometers from Forlì. The festival is held in the large park adjacent to the parish church, a secluded and shaded spot that has always been the backdrop for the celebration. It is organized by volunteers from the Cooperativa In Campis Vita, who animate two full days of gastronomy and entertainment each year.

The flavors of Romagna

The heart of the festival is the food stand, where the great classics of Romagna cuisine are served, prepared according to tradition:

• Homemade Tortelli and Cappelletti
• Polenta and grilled meat
• Pork Shank
• Fried Piadina served with free distribution of fine grapes
• Vegetarian dishes and bruschetta

The dining areas are covered, so as to welcome guests in any weather condition.

The grape stomping and harvest festival

The most anticipated and iconic moment is the traditional grape stomping, which evokes the gestures of the harvest according to ancient local customs. Live music, shows, popular games, and the free distribution of grape bunches to those dining at the tables develop around this ritual. There is also a plant lottery, a small market, and street games for children with the Ludobus.

A community celebration

More than just a food and wine event, the Grape Festival is a true village festival: an opportunity to come together, rediscover the peasant roots of Romagna, and experience a late September celebration of taste and conviviality, in one of the most authentic corners of the municipality of Castrocaro Terme and Terra del Sole.