Il Cardoncello Novello – Cardoncello Mushroom and Novello Wine Festival

Il Cardoncello Novello, the autumn feast of Gravina

When November brings the first chill and mist rises from the ravine, the historic center of Gravina in Puglia (Metropolitan City of Bari, Puglia) comes alive for Il Cardoncello Novello, a festival dedicated to two stars of the Murgia autumn: the Cardoncello mushroom, known as the "king of Murgia flavors," and the Novello wine, freshly tapped from local cellars. It is one of the most beloved food and wine festivals in the Alta Murgia, drawing thousands of visitors over a single weekend.

A dive into peasant culture

The event is organized by the Pro Loco UNPLI of Gravina in Puglia and transforms the squares and alleys of the old town—starting from Piazza Plebiscito—into a grand culinary trail. Along the route, you will find food stalls serving traditional dishes: orecchiette and handmade pasta with Cardoncello mushrooms, sausage with fennel seeds, mushroom sandwiches, and many recipes that tell the story of the humble yet generous cuisine of the Murge, all washed down with Novello wine.

More than just food

Il Cardoncello Novello is not just a feast for the palate. The program combines folk music—with folk groups and pizzica dancers animating the evenings—with an arts and crafts market, guided tastings, and exhibits reconstructing peasant life. One of the most popular aspects is the guided tours of Gravina's treasures: the rock-hewn churches, the districts carved into the tufa rock, and the city museums, allowing visitors to discover one of the most fascinating towns in the Apulian hinterland.

Part of "Cardoncello on the Road"

The festival is part of the regional "Cardoncello on the Road" circuit, which brings together various stops dedicated to this precious mushroom in the towns of the Alta Murgia (including Ruvo di Puglia, Poggiorsini, and Cassano delle Murge). Gravina is one of the most anticipated stops, thanks to the backdrop of its historic center and the patronage of the Municipality and the Alta Murgia National Park authorities.

Admission to the event is free: you only pay for what you consume at the stalls. It is the perfect opportunity to combine an autumn trip to the Bari Murgia with the discovery of authentic flavors and living traditions.