Monterosso Val d'Arda Festival
The DOC white wine festival of Val d'Arda in the village of Castell'Arquato
About Monterosso Festival
The Monterosso Val d'Arda Festival
The Monterosso Val d'Arda Festival is the main food and wine event of the Val d'Arda, organized every spring in the medieval village of Castell'Arquato, in the province of Piacenza, in the heart of Emilia-Romagna. Founded in 2011 on the initiative of volunteers from the Associazione La Goccia, the event celebrates Monterosso Val d'Arda DOC, the white wine symbol of this territory, and with it the entire gastronomic heritage of the Piacenza hills.
The Wine and the Territory
Monterosso Val d'Arda is a white wine made from the traditional blend of the area: Ortrugo, Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, Moscato bianco, and Trebbiano Romagnolo. It comes in still, semi-sparkling, and sparkling versions, and has always been the ideal companion to Piacenza DOP cured meats, Grana Padano cheese, and traditional peasant dishes. During the festival, over thirty local wineries offer their tasting benches, alongside other wines from the Colli Piacentini such as Gutturnio, Ortrugo, and Malvasia.
Two Days in the Village
The historic center of Castell'Arquato transforms into a grand culinary journey. Along the famous "via della barricaia" (barrel lane), by purchasing a glass, you can wander through the village alleys, stopping at each stand for tastings. The program alternates masterclasses led by professional sommeliers, smart tastings pairing wines with local specialties, wine trekking through the vineyards, art and photography exhibitions, cultural conferences, and musical performances. Sunday is traditionally dedicated to Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, while the evenings host the "Monterosso After Party" at the Parco delle Driadi.
A Showcase for Castell'Arquato
Ranked among Italy's Most Beautiful Villages, Castell'Arquato provides a unique and scenic backdrop for the festival, with the Rocca Viscontea, the Collegiata, and the Palazzo del Podestà. The event attracts thousands of enthusiasts from all over the province of Piacenza and beyond each year, confirming itself as one of the most important showcases for the food and wine of the Val d'Arda and the entire Emilia-Romagna region.
Monterosso Festival — edition 2026
2026 Edition
The 13th edition of the Monterosso Val d'Arda Festival animated Castell'Arquato on May 9 and 10, 2026, with 32 wineries from Piacenza spread throughout the village alleys and hundreds of visitors on the first day alone. The edition also celebrated the 50th anniversary of Monterosso Val d'Arda with dedicated conferences.
Program
- Barricaia opening at 10:00 AM both days
- Official inauguration with an enological art exhibition ("painting with wine")
- Conference on the 50 years of Monterosso and talk on the wine trail
- Master class on Piacenza Passito wines and Malvasia di Candia Aromatica
- Smart tasting with Spalla di San Secondo and ancient grains
- Wine trekking through the vineyards and winery lunches at the Enoteca Comunale
- Conference on Paolo III Farnese
- Monterosso After Party at Parco delle Driadi
Programme Monterosso Festival 2026
Saturday, May 9
- 10:00 AM - Barricaia opening
- 11:00 AM - Official inauguration and enological art exhibition
- 11:30 AM - Conference on the 50 years of Monterosso Val d'Arda
- 12:15 PM - Thematic tasting of Piacenza gastronomy
- 1:00 PM - Winery lunch (Enoteca Comunale)
- 3:30 PM - Talk on the Monterosso Val d'Arda trail
- 4:00 PM - Master class on Piacenza Passito wines
- 6:00 PM - Wine trekking
- 7:00 PM - After party at Parco delle Driadi
Sunday, May 10
- 10:00 AM - Barricaia opening
- 11:00 AM - Master class on Malvasia di Candia Aromatica
- 11:45 AM - Tasting of local specialties
- 1:00 PM - Winery lunch
- 5:00 PM - Conference on Paolo III Farnese
- 7:00 PM - After party at Parco delle Driadi
Highlights Monterosso Festival 2026
- 32 wineries from Piacenza along the "via della barricaia"
- Celebration of the 50th anniversary of Monterosso Val d'Arda
- Masterclasses on Piacenza Passito wines and Malvasia di Candia Aromatica
- Wine trekking through the vineyards of Val d'Arda
- Enological art exhibition "painting with wine"
- Monterosso After Party at Parco delle Driadi
Prices Monterosso Festival 2026
Practical information — Monterosso Festival
Where
Historic center of Castell'Arquato (PC), Emilia-Romagna. The "barricaia" and tasting stands wind through the alleys of the medieval village.
When
Every year in May, Saturday and Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Admission and Tastings
Entry to the village is free. To participate in tastings, you need to purchase the official wine glass with its holder, which entitles you to a series of tastings at the winery stands.
How to Get There
Castell'Arquato can be reached by car from the A1 motorway (Fiorenzuola d'Arda exit) or from the A21, continuing along the Val d'Arda. Parking areas are available near the village during the festival.
Contacts
Organization: Associazione La Goccia Aps - [email protected] - monterossofestival.it
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 — Monterosso Festival
Centro storico di Castell'Arquato
Via Discesa San Carlo 2, 29014 Castell'Arquato