Napola Grape Festival

A rural celebration in the heart of western Sicily

The Napola Grape Festival is one of the most cherished popular events in the Erice territory, in the province of Trapani. It takes place not in the famous medieval village atop the mountain, but in the hilly district of Napola, a rural community linked for generations to vine cultivation and winemaking. Every year, at the end of August, the streets and the village square transform into a stage for a festival that weaves together gastronomy, folklore, and rural tradition.

A tradition born in 1973

The festival has its roots in 1973, when it was established by the then-parish priest of Napola, Father Paolo Gucciardo, with the aim of promoting the work of local winemakers and strengthening community bonds around the harvest. Since then, the event has been held year after year, reaching its fiftieth edition in 2023: an event now deeply rooted in the history and identity of this part of western Sicily, which has received the patronage of the Municipality of Erice and the Sicilian Region.

Tastings, floats, and traditional games

The heart of the festival is the guided tasting of local wineries, an opportunity to discover the wines of the region and the production secrets passed down through time. Along the village streets, stands are set up with typical products: grapes offered in abundance, sfince, busiate pasta with Trapani-style pesto, sausage sandwiches, and the flavors of Sicilian country cuisine.

• Allegorical floats decorated with a wine theme, parading on the final evening
• Traditional games for all ages: pentolaccia, tug-of-war, sack races
• Dancing in the square, with live music and dance evenings
• Performances by the Erice Musical Band and majorette parades
• Theatrical shows in the Sicilian dialect and musical entertainment

An event promoted by the community

The event is organized by the Napola Grape Festival Committee and is also promoted by the Terre degli Elimi Biodistrict. It is a festival designed to encourage vine cultivation, honor local tradition, provide space for craftsmanship, and create cultural cohesion around the historic harvest celebration. The format remains that of a popular festival open to everyone, with stands and tastings based on voluntary contributions, following the custom of "pay what you wish".

Napola and the Erice territory

Visiting the Grape Festival also means discovering an authentic and less touristy side of the municipality of Erice: that of the lowland and hilly districts, where life flows to the rhythm of the agricultural seasons. A few kilometers away, you will find the old town of Erice perched on the mountain, the salt pans of Trapani, and the coastal beaches, making the festival a perfect opportunity to combine a village celebration with a stay in western Sicily.