Saperi e Sapori

Saperi e Sapori: autumn flavors in Torrioni

Saperi e Sapori is the annual festival that, between late September and mid-October, brings life to the streets of Torrioni, a village of a few hundred inhabitants perched at 645 meters above sea level in the Campania region. Two days dedicated to seasonal produce and the ancient rural traditions of Irpinia, with food stalls set up in Piazza San Michele Arcangelo and throughout the town center.

The event follows the format of an authentic village festival, where local volunteers do the cooking and every dish tells a family recipe. There is nothing staged for tourists here; visitors to Torrioni find an entire community coming together, from the local wineries to the village squares.

The grape-stomping ritual

The most iconic moment of the festival is the re-enactment of the ancient grape-stomping ritual, which in recent editions has taken place around noon on Sunday. Performers and visitors are invited to step into the vat full of grapes and stomp to the rhythm of the music—a gesture that here is not mere folklore, but a living memory of the harvest in a land where wine has always been the backbone of the local economy.

What to eat

The menu follows the calendar of the Irpinian woods and gardens. Past editions have featured:

• porcini mushrooms prepared in various ways, from tagliatelle and polenta to provola cheese with porcini;
• grilled meats and local sausages, prepared according to ancient local recipes;
• roasted chestnuts, the true stars of the Irpinian autumn;
• traditional rustic desserts.

The wines: Greco di Tufo and Aglianico

Torrioni is located just a few kilometers from Tufo, the town that gives its name to the Greco di Tufo DOCG. It is no surprise that the festival glasses are filled with local white wines and Aglianico, the great red wine of Irpinia. It is the simplest and most direct way to understand why this corner of the Avellino province is considered one of the most important wine-producing territories in Southern Italy.

Folk music and Southern dances

The evenings are hosted by folk music groups: tammurriate, pizziche, and tarantelle accompany dinner and get the whole square dancing until late. Recent editions have featured ensembles specializing in the traditional repertoire of the South, such as Abballat - Musiche e Danze del Sud and Ventalena - Musiche e suoni del Mediterraneo.

The village and the Crypt

Those who arrive early can take advantage of the festival to visit the village: in some editions, the Crypt of Torrioni has been opened to the public, featuring a photographic exhibition dedicated to this underground space. The panoramic view over the Sabato Valley and the Irpinian mountains completes the visit.

Organizers

The event is promoted by the Municipality of Torrioni with the support of local associations and village volunteers. Admission to the festival is free: you only pay for what you consume at the stalls, at the typical affordable prices of Irpinian festivals.

When it takes place

The dates change from year to year within the late September to mid-October window: the 2025 edition was held on September 27th and 28th, while the previous one was on October 12th and 13th. It is advisable to check the official channels of the Municipality of Torrioni a few weeks before traveling, as the calendar is often released on short notice.