International Cheese Festival

A dairy paradise in the heart of the Ahrntal Valley

Every March, the center of Campo Tures (Sand in Taufers) transforms into a vibrant marketplace for cheese and gourmet specialties. The International Cheese Festival is one of South Tyrol's most celebrated food and wine events, drawing visitors from all over Italy and abroad to the Ahrntal Valley in the province of Bolzano.

Over the three-day event, guests can explore up to 100 exhibitors from across Europe, offering nearly a thousand different types of cheese: from local South Tyrolean dairies and cooperatives to Alpine cheesemakers and international producers. The festival was honored with the 2024 GIST Food Travel Award as Italy's best food and wine event, and Campo Tures has been officially designated a "Cheese City" by ONAF.

Graukäse, the heart of tradition

The true icon of the festival is Graukäse, the grey cheese of the Ahrntal Valley: a low-fat, acid-coagulated cheese made from skimmed milk. Today, it is a Slow Food Presidium and a testament to sustainable Alpine farming. Many of the festival's tastings and workshops revolve around this unique product.

Sensory workshops and live cooking

The program features Sensory Workshops—45-minute sessions led by European experts and affineurs, with simultaneous translation into Italian—where visitors can taste various cheeses while learning about their history, production techniques, and organoleptic profiles. The event also hosts live cooking shows with star chefs and renowned cooks who demonstrate their craft and offer creative new interpretations of cheese in an open kitchen.

An event for the whole family

The festival offers plenty for younger visitors with creative workshops and educational activities like "cheesemakers for a day," where children can try their hand at making butter, fresh mozzarella, and spoon desserts, discovering the history and production of cheese in an engaging way. During the festival, many local restaurants also offer themed menus dedicated to cheese specialties.

Practical information

The event takes place in the town center of Campo Tures, open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Admission is ticketed, with daily and multi-day passes available, and free entry for children. It is the perfect opportunity to discover Alpine cheese culture in one of the most picturesque valleys in the province of Bolzano.