Regina Ribelle – Vernaccia di San Gimignano Wine Fest

Regina Ribelle: Vernaccia tells its story in San Gimignano

Regina Ribelle – Vernaccia di San Gimignano Wine Fest is the event that every spring turns the historic center of San Gimignano, in the heart of the Sienese hills, into a widespread stage dedicated to Vernaccia di San Gimignano. Conceived and organized by the Consorzio del Vino Vernaccia di San Gimignano in collaboration with the local municipality, the festival brings tasting stands, masterclasses, and meetings with producers among the town's famous medieval towers, creating a continuous dialogue between wine, art, and the local territory.

A wine with an independent spirit

The name «Regina Ribelle» (Rebel Queen) perfectly captures the identity of Vernaccia: a proud and independent white wine in a land dominated by great Tuscan reds. It was the first Italian wine to obtain the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) status in 1966, and remains one of Tuscany's oldest and most iconic labels, cited in medieval sources and even in Dante's Divine Comedy.

Among the town's squares

Throughout the event, the most beautiful squares of San Gimignano host the festival's protagonists. Tasting stands are set up between Piazza della Cisterna and Piazza del Duomo, where visitors can meet local winemakers and sample different expressions of Vernaccia, from fresh, immediate versions to refined Riservas. The Loggia del Teatro dei Leggieri and the Loggia del Palazzo del Comune host masterclasses and technical sessions, while the Rocca di Montestaffoli becomes the beating heart of the festival in the evening with DJ sets, tastings, and cocktails.

Masterclasses, gastronomy, and art

The program alternates between roving tastings, thematic masterclasses, vintage spotlights, and pairing workshops featuring Tuscan gastronomic excellence, from Prosciutto Toscano DOP and Finocchiona IGP to Pecorino Toscano DOP. A discussion section, the «Salottino Ribelle», is dedicated to wine & food topics and wine tourism. The artistic dimension is also present: contemporary art installations by sculptor Stefano Bombardieri interact with the town's monumental spaces. The children's area in Piazza Pecori makes the event suitable for the whole family.

2026 Edition: 750 years of Vernaccia

The 2026 edition held special significance, celebrating 750 years since the first documented mention of Vernaccia di San Gimignano and the 60th anniversary of the DOC. Highlights included the final of the AIS competition for the Best Sommelier of Tuscany 2026, hosted in the heart of the event.

San Gimignano, a World Heritage site

The festival is set against the backdrop of one of Tuscany's most fascinating cities: San Gimignano, with its skyline of medieval towers, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990. Visiting Regina Ribelle means combining the discovery of a great white wine with the charm of an intact village nestled in the Val d'Elsa landscape.