Malvasia Festival
Thirty years of aromas and flavors centered around the Malvasia of the Parma Hills
About Malvasia Festival
The festival celebrating Parma's Malvasia
The Malvasia Festival is the event that, for thirty years, has been telling the story of and celebrating the symbolic wine of the Parma Hills: Malvasia di Candia Aromatica. It takes place in Sala Baganza, an elegant village in the province of Parma, Emilia-Romagna, within and around the picturesque Rocca Sanvitale, a Farnese residence overlooking the first Apennine foothills. For a weekend, the town transforms into a showcase of excellence dedicated to this aromatic wine, presented in its still, semi-sparkling, and sparkling versions.
A thirty-year tradition
Born in 1996, the festival has grown to become one of the most anticipated food and wine events in Emilia-Romagna. At the heart of the event are the historic awards given to the best wines of the region: the Cosèta d'Or, an award dedicated to dry sparkling Malvasia, the Perlén'na d'Or for semi-sparkling versions, and the Cosèta di Legno, the popular award voted on directly by the public. The thirtieth-anniversary edition also introduced the Cosèta Malva Giovani, designed to introduce younger generations to the world of wine.
Tastings, masterclasses, and culture
The program combines technical sessions with convivial occasions. Visitors can taste the competing Malvasias, attend masterclasses curated by AIS Parma, meet producers from the Consorzio Vini Colli di Parma, and participate in free tours of the Rocca Sanvitale and the Wine Museum housed within the Farnese complex.
- Tastings of the competing Malvasias directly from local producers
- Masterclasses led by AIS Parma sommeliers
- Free visits to the Rocca Sanvitale and the Wine Museum
- Nature walks along the Baganza stream
- The traditional Magnarocca dinner featuring Parma's local cuisine
A weekend of wine, nature, and conviviality
In addition to wine-related activities, the festival offers walks along the Baganza stream, golf tournaments named after the event, and the renowned Magnarocca, a convivial dinner organized by the Pro Loco showcasing the flavors of Parma's cuisine and the wines of the Parma Hills. It's the perfect opportunity to discover Sala Baganza, its Farnese village, and the food and wine heritage of a region that makes Malvasia its identity symbol.
Malvasia Festival — edition 2026
The thirtieth-anniversary edition of the Malvasia Festival took place on Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the Rocca Sanvitale in Sala Baganza, province of Parma. A weekend entirely dedicated to the Malvasia di Candia Aromatica of the Parma Hills, featuring the traditional awarding of historic prizes and the introduction of the new Cosèta Malva Giovani for new generations of enthusiasts.
Amidst tastings, masterclasses curated by AIS Parma, meetings with producers, and free visits to the Wine Museum, the event confirmed its role as a showcase of excellence for the symbolic wine of the Parma region.
Programme Malvasia Festival 2026
Saturday, May 16
- 8:30 AM — Walk along the Baganza stream starting from the Farnese garden; concurrently, the "Malvasia Festival XXX Cosèta d'Or Award" national golf tournament at Golf del Ducato
- 10:00 AM — Convening of the juries for the Cosèta d'Or and Perlén'na d'Or awards
- 10:30 AM — Inauguration and conference "Is Parma's Malvasia still young?" with the awarding of the Cosèta Malva Giovani prize
- From 11:00 AM — Tasting of the Malvasias competing for the popular Cosèta di Legno award
- 3:30 PM — Masterclass dedicated to Malvasia by AIS Parma
- 8:00 PM — Traditional Magnarocca dinner with Parma's local cuisine and wines from the Parma Hills, organized by the Pro Loco
Sunday, May 17
- 8:30 AM — Golf competition at Circolo La Rocca and "Malvasia Walk" to discover the Baganza stream
- 3:45 PM — Second masterclass dedicated to Malvasia by AIS Parma
Throughout the event, from 10 AM to 6 PM, free visits to the Rocca Sanvitale and the Wine Museum were available.
Highlights Malvasia Festival 2026
Prices Malvasia Festival 2026
Practical information — Malvasia Festival
Getting there
Sala Baganza is located about 15 km southwest of Parma. By car, take the A1 motorway exit Parma Ovest, then head towards the Parma Hills. The nearest train station is Parma, with intercity bus connections to Sala Baganza.
Admission and booking
Admission to the festival is free. Some events require booking: the Magnarocca dinner costs €35 for adults and €20 for children up to 14 years old, by reservation at [email protected] or by calling 0521 331342. The Rocca Sanvitale and the Wine Museum are open for free visits from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Tips
It's advisable to arrive in the morning to attend the awards ceremony and to book AIS Parma masterclasses and the Magnarocca dinner in advance, as they often sell out.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Malvasia Festival
Rocca Sanvitale
Piazza Gramsci, 43038 Sala Baganza