Le Vie del Gusto

A culinary journey through the historic center of Vasanello

Le Vie del Gusto is a wandering food and wine tour that brings the alleys and squares of Vasanello's historic center to life every September. Located in the Tuscia region of northern Lazio, the village provides the perfect backdrop for this successful event. Rather than a traditional festival with a single stand, this is a true itinerary through the old town, where each stop serves a different course of the menu, paired with a glass of local wine. As visitors stroll from square to square, they assemble a full meal—from appetizer to dessert—while rediscovering the medieval charm of the village.

The tradition of the local classes

A unique feature that makes this event special is its organization: Le Vie del Gusto is managed on a rotating basis by the local class committees of Vasanello, with the support of the Municipality. In 2024, the seventeenth edition was hosted by the Class of 1984, while in 2025 the baton passed to the Class of 1985, who led the event on September 19, 20, and 21. This passing of the torch between age-mates renews the volunteers' enthusiasm every year and deeply roots the festival in the local community.

The wandering menu: a taste of the trail

The 2025 edition perfectly illustrates the event's format, featuring six stops along the route through the old town:

• Piazza San Salvatore — rich appetizer with a welcome cocktail;
• Piazza della Libertà — pasta and chickpeas paired with Goccia white wine (Chardonnay);
• Via Santa Maria / Piazza Padella — pici with meat sauce paired with Fiamma (Merlot);
• Largo Gentili — sausage and chicory paired with Gaia Cecilia (Violone);
• Via San Sebastiano — wild boar stew paired with Cautha (Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot);
• Piazza Ortaccio — traditional desserts and a grand finale with music and cocktails.

The recipes are rooted in ancient Tuscia cuisine: handmade pasta, game, wild greens, and homemade desserts, all prepared by volunteers according to family traditions.

The wines of Tuscia

Each course is accompanied by a local wine. In the 2025 edition, pairings were provided by the local Cantina Le Lase, featuring labels ranging from Chardonnay to Violone—a historic grape variety of the area—as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot blends. It is a wonderful way to showcase the winemaking production of the Viterbo province, one glass at a time.

Vasanello, a village to discover

The event is also an invitation to explore Vasanello. In past editions, descriptive panels detailing the historical and artistic features of the locations were placed alongside the food stations. The Municipality of Vasanello, in the heart of Tuscia just a few kilometers from Orte, becomes the protagonist of a weekend where gastronomy, history, and conviviality intertwine, with the medieval village beautifully illuminated for the occasion. It is now a well-established appointment in the late-summer calendar of the Lazio Region.

When it takes place

Le Vie del Gusto is traditionally held on the third weekend of September, with dinner service on Friday and Saturday (starting at 8:00 PM in recent editions) and lunch on Sunday (starting at 12:30 PM). The complete menu is served at a fixed, affordable price; reservations are recommended by contacting the organizing committee.