Novello in Festa

New wine takes center stage in Salento

Every autumn, as the first bottles of new wine are ready, the town of Leverano—a small gem in the province of Lecce surrounded by the vineyards of the Terra d'Arneo—dedicates an entire weekend to the season's first vintage. Novello in Festa was established in 1998 and has since become one of the most anticipated food and wine events of the Salento autumn, drawing thousands of visitors to the alleys of its historic center.

The historic center becomes the city of wine

For two days, the squares and narrow streets surrounding the 14th-century Torre Federiciana, commissioned by Frederick II, are filled with stalls, barrels, and wine glasses. The stars of the show are the local wineries—the historic Cantina Vecchia Torre, Conti Zecca, and Agricola dell'Arneo—offering tastings of their new red wines alongside Leverano's finest DOC labels.

Traditional flavors

The wine is paired with authentic Salento peasant cuisine: meatballs, meat cooked "alla pignata," pork chops, turnip tops, chestnuts, and the essential fried pittule. The festival route also hosts photography exhibitions, art installations, and local craft stalls.

Music, pizzica, and side events

The soundtrack is provided by Salento's folk traditions: pizzica and tarantella groups, songs, and dances animate the evenings until late at night. The festival also features two classic appointments: the Corrinovello, a road race through the town streets and vineyards, and the Novello Satanello, a fun-loving chili-eating contest. The program is rounded out by guided walks through the DOC vineyard rows, workshops, and winery tours.

A local event

The event is organized by the Pro Loco Leverano in collaboration with the Municipality of Leverano, the GAL Terra d'Arneo, and local producers, serving as a showcase for the wine culture and hospitality of this corner of Puglia.