Le Cantine del Borgo - Novello Wine Festival

The novello wine festival in the heart of Ciociaria

Every year in mid-November, the small village of Strangolagalli, in the province of Frosinone, transforms into a culinary trail dedicated to novello wine. Le Cantine del Borgo - Novello Wine Festival is the event that marks the symbolic end of the grape harvest in Ciociaria: the freshly tapped wine reaches the glasses in the days following St. Martin's Day, in keeping with the rural tradition that says «on St. Martin's Day, every must becomes wine».

The historic cellars of the old town

The heart of the event lies in the cellars carved into the foundations of the old town, which open their doors to visitors for the occasion. With the main entrance at Piazza Elena, the public follows a route through medieval alleys and corners, stopping from cellar to cellar to taste novello wine and local dishes. In past editions, up to forty cellars have opened, each with its own offerings: steaming soups, cured meats, cheeses, and traditional Ciociarian desserts.

Music, folk dance, and street performers

Surrounding the tastings is a widespread entertainment program: Ciociarian folk music and dance groups enliven the village streets, while street performers bring spectacle to the small squares. The offering is completed by a local artisan market, art exhibitions, and a dedicated children's area, making the festival suitable for families as well.

A history born in 2012

The event was created in 2012 by the «Le Cantine del Borgo» Cultural Association, formed by a group of local youths, with the patronage of the Municipality of Strangolagalli and, in recent years, the Lazio Region. Its stated goal has always been the cultural, tourist, and economic promotion of the area through small producers and local food and wine excellence. Edition after edition, the festival has grown to become one of the most anticipated autumn food and wine events in the province of Frosinone, attracting thousands of visitors, many of whom arrive by camper.

Strangolagalli and its surroundings

Strangolagalli is a village of about two thousand inhabitants perched at an altitude of 232 meters in the middle Liri Valley, in southern Lazio. The municipality is part of that rural Ciociaria where family viticulture is still a widespread practice: almost every family has a vineyard and a cellar, and it is precisely this widespread heritage that the festival celebrates. For those visiting the area, the event is also an opportunity to discover the nearby valley towns and Ciociarian gastronomy, from local wines to homemade pasta.

When it takes place

The festival is traditionally held on a weekend in mid-November, after St. Martin's Day: from late afternoon on Saturday and from lunchtime on Sunday. The 2025 edition, the twelfth, took place on Saturday, November 15th, and Sunday, November 16th.