Pioppo Mushroom and Asprinio Wine Festival

The Pioppo Mushroom and Asprinio Wine Festival in Trentola Ducenta

In early September, the town of Trentola Ducenta, in the province of Caserta, Campania, dedicates two evenings to two products that define the identity of the Agro Aversano: the pioppo mushroom and Asprinio wine. The Pioppo Mushroom and Asprinio Wine Festival is organized by the Pro Loco Terrasprinia. Having reached its sixteenth edition as early as 2019, it is a deeply rooted community event that feels more like a local celebration than a staged production.

The pioppo mushroom, a taste of the Aversano lands

The pioppo mushroom, known in Campania as piopparello, grows at the base of poplar trees and is prized for its delicate flavor and culinary versatility. At the festival stalls, it is served in various ways: grilled, pan-fried, deep-fried, as a pasta sauce, or paired with other local specialties. It is an ingredient that directly links the dish to the agricultural landscape of the plains between Aversa, Parete, and San Marcellino, where poplars have always accompanied the crops.

Asprinio d'Aversa and the 'married' vines

Asprinio is the historic white wine of the Aversa area: fresh, dry, distinctly mineral, and often lively. Its uniqueness lies primarily in its cultivation method, with vines "married" to poplar trees, climbing several meters high and forcing harvesters to work on long wooden ladders. This viticultural landscape, unique in Italy, is part of the territory's identity and explains why the festival pairs the wine with the mushrooms in its very name: when tasted, Asprinio naturally complements dishes based on piopparelli.

What to expect at the festival

• Food stalls serving dishes based on pioppo mushrooms and glasses of Asprinio wine;
• Artisan market featuring local crafts and agricultural products;
• Photography exhibitions: past editions have included "Let's Talk About Mushrooms," curated by mycologist Antonio Nebiante, and "Trentola Ducenta Yesterday and Today," curated by the Pro Loco Terrasprinia;
• Campanian folk music, featuring the "Tammorra Festival by Moonlight" and local folk groups;
• Street performers and entertainment throughout the festival area.

The role of the Pro Loco Terrasprinia

The event is managed by the Pro Loco Terrasprinia, an association that has worked for years to promote local products and the town's history. The festival's approach reflects this commitment: alongside the food stalls, there are exhibitions, educational panels on mushrooms, and photographic materials documenting what Trentola Ducenta looked like before the urban expansion of recent decades. It is a way to bridge the gap between gastronomy and culture, without turning the festival into a mere dining area.

Trentola Ducenta, between Caserta and Naples

Trentola Ducenta is located in the southern part of the Caserta province, just a few kilometers from Aversa and a short distance from the Naples metropolitan area. It is a densely populated territory that remains tied to agriculture, with a food and wine tradition defined by recognizable products: Asprinio, local vegetables, and fresh cheeses. For visitors, the festival is a great opportunity to understand this blend of city and countryside in an informal, family-friendly evening setting.

When to go

The festival usually takes place on the first weekend of September, opening in the evening and continuing late into the night. The 2025 edition was held on Saturday, September 6th, and Sunday, September 7th. Dates for 2026 have not yet been announced by the organizers; it is advisable to follow the Pro Loco Terrasprinia channels in the preceding weeks, when the poster with the full program is usually released.