Radici del Sud
The Southern Italy Wine and Olive Oil Exhibition
About Radici del Sud
Radici del Sud: Southern Italy's Wine Showcase in Gioia del Colle
Every year, at the start of summer, Gioia del Colle becomes the capital of Southern Italian wine and olive oil thanks to Radici del Sud, an exhibition hosted in the beautifully restored spaces of the former Paolo Cassano Distillery. Established in 2006, the event has become a key appointment for producers, importers, and enthusiasts eager to discover the authentic soul of the South, right in the heart of the province of Bari, Puglia.
An International Competition for Indigenous Grape Varieties
The core of the event is a blind tasting competition: four juries—two national and two international—evaluate labels produced from indigenous grape varieties, aiming to highlight bottles that are still little-known abroad. The competition is complemented by B2B meetings, tasting stands, and regional tours designed to foster dialogue between wineries and buyers or journalists from all over the world, from South Korea to Canada, and Australia to Poland.
Eight Southern Regions in One Place
Radici del Sud brings together over eighty companies from Puglia, Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Sardinia, and Sicily. Alongside the wines, visitors can discover extra virgin olive oils and local gastronomic specialties in a journey that serves as a market, a tasting experience, and a cultural narrative of the South.
Public Access Day
Following several days reserved for industry professionals, the event culminates in a day fully open to the public: the awards ceremony for the winning wines, the opening of the exhibition hall with producers, and a closing evening featuring tasting stands of the best wines paired with dishes created by local chefs. It is a unique opportunity to taste, purchase, and meet the protagonists of Southern oenology just a short walk from the center of Gioia del Colle.
Radici del Sud — edition 2026
The twenty-first edition of Radici del Sud confirmed Gioia del Colle as a premier showcase for Southern oenology. From June 3 to 8, 2026, in the spaces of the former Paolo Cassano Distillery, over eighty companies from Puglia, Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Sardinia, and Sicily competed in the blind tasting competition dedicated to indigenous grape varieties, evaluated by four national and international juries.
Importers and buyers from South Korea, Vietnam, Canada, Australia, Poland, and Switzerland were also in attendance. Among the most anticipated events were the vertical tastings celebrating twenty years of Southern indigenous grape varieties and the closing evening on June 8, featuring tasting stands of the award-winning wines and cuisine from Puglian chefs.
Programme Radici del Sud 2026
June 3-5 — Regional Tours
Visits to wineries and oil mills in the participating regions, reserved for journalists and international importers.
June 6-7 — Competition and B2B Meetings (closed to the public)
- Blind tasting of Southern wines by four juries (two national and two international)
- Meetings between producers and industry professionals
June 8 — Public Access Day
- 11:00-13:00 — Conference and awards ceremony for the winning wines
- 15:00-21:00 — Opening of the wine and olive oil exhibition with producers
- From 21:00 — Closing evening with tasting stands of the 90 winning wines and dishes by chefs Giammichele Pagone (Plebiscito 7, Casamassima) and Ottavio Surico (Borgo Antico, Gioia del Colle)
Among the most anticipated events were the vertical tastings dedicated to twenty years of Southern indigenous grape varieties.
Highlights Radici del Sud 2026
Prices Radici del Sud 2026
Practical information — Radici del Sud
Location
Ex Distilleria Paolo Cassano, Gioia del Colle (BA), approximately 200 meters from the motorway exit.
When
Early June; the public access day is typically held on the final date of the program.
Admission
Professional activities (competition and B2B meetings) are closed to the public; the public day requires tickets for the tasting kit and the closing evening.
Info
Official website: www.radicidelsud.it
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Where does it take place — Radici del Sud
Ex Distilleria Paolo Cassano