Medicea Wine Festival

Wine takes center stage in Cerreto Guidi

The Medicea Wine Festival is the summer highlight celebrating the winemaking culture of Cerreto Guidi, a village in the Empolese Valdelsa area of the province of Florence, Tuscany. Organized by the local Pro Loco in collaboration with the Municipality of Cerreto Guidi, the event transforms the historic center into a vast tasting trail winding through the town's streets and squares, with the incomparable backdrop of the Villa Medicea—a UNESCO World Heritage site—setting the scene for the evenings.

A multi-stage exhibition

The festival spans two weekends in July and revolves around two distinct yet complementary events. The first is Street Wine Cerreto, where wineries from the Montalbano and Empolese Valdelsa regions set up their stalls in the square facing the Villa: purchasing a wine glass grants you a set of tokens to spend along the tasting route, paired with gourmet street food and live music. The second stage is dedicated to the Mestolo d'Oro, a gastronomic competition where the four districts of the Palio del Cerro vie for the coveted award.

The Rubino Mediceo Competition

The technical heart of the festival is the Rubino Mediceo Wine Competition, a true prelude to the main event. Dozens of local wineries enter their labels, divided into categories (sparkling, white, rosé, Chianti DOCG, red, and dessert wines), which are evaluated by a technical commission of sommeliers and oenologists, alongside popular juries. The winners are announced during the Medicea Wine Festival, serving as the crowning moment of the tasting evenings.

Tradition, taste, and community

Beyond the wine glasses, the event offers entertainment and initiatives every year that highlight the local area: exhibitions, family activities, and moments of conviviality that keep the village buzzing until late. Today, the Medicea Wine Festival stands as one of the most important showcases for the Montalbano wine region and a perfect opportunity to discover Cerreto Guidi, its Villa Medicea, and the warm hospitality of the local community.