Roscetta Chestnut Festival – Open Cellars

A festival in the heart of the Valle Roveto

The Roscetta Chestnut Festival – Open Cellars is one of the most cherished autumn events in Rendinara, a mountain hamlet of the Municipality of Morino, in the province of L'Aquila, nestled in the heart of the Valle Roveto, Abruzzo. Every year, this small village—often described as one of the most characteristic in the area for its romantic and bucolic soul—comes alive thanks to the initiative of the Pro Loco Rendinara, with the patronage of the Municipality of Morino and the Dendrokopos Cooperative Society.

The Roscetta, queen of the Valle Roveto

The absolute star is the Roscetta chestnut, a variety typical of the Valle Roveto recognized as a product of biodiversity, known for its light-colored skin and sweet, delicate flavor. During the festival, you can purchase freshly harvested chestnuts and taste the essential roasted chestnuts, as well as numerous local specialties.

Open cellars and food and wine trail

The heart of the event is the food and wine trail through the village's open cellars: over twenty private cellars welcome visitors with traditional mountain dishes from the Roveto area. Offerings include fettuccine with porcini mushrooms, lasagna, calascinetti, along with mulled wine and typical desserts. A Pro Loco information point in the main square guides visitors along the route, which alternates between gastronomic cellars and "no food" cellars.

Music, street art, and activities for everyone

The village streets fill with live and wandering music, with bands and jazz ensembles parading through the alleys, alongside jugglers, fire-eaters, and street performers. There is also a craft market, local handicrafts, an inflatable playground for the little ones, and creative workshops for children, often held in collaboration with the Zompo lo Schioppo Nature Reserve. Recent editions have also included literary salons and meetings with authors dedicated to the theme of small mountain villages.

A success that grows year after year

Born in the nineties and now reaching over twenty-five editions, the festival has grown to exceed five thousand visitors in its busiest years, establishing itself as one of the most diverse and beloved food and wine events in the Valle Roveto and the entire province of L'Aquila.