Settembre al Borgo - From Gate to Gate

Taurasi wine takes center stage between the village gates

Settembre al Borgo - From Gate to Gate is the popular festival that every year, at the beginning of autumn, breathes new life into the historic center of Taurasi, a small town in the province of Avellino, in Campania. For two days, the narrow streets of the old town, stretching between Porta Maggiore and Porta Sant'Angelo, become a continuous path of cultural encounters, shows, and tastings—hence the subtitle « From Gate to Gate », which marks the true perimeter of the event.

The common thread is, naturally, wine. Taurasi gives its name to Taurasi DOCG, the red wine made from Aglianico grapes that was the first wine in Southern Italy to obtain the Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin. The festival was born precisely to tell the story of this bond between a town of a few thousand inhabitants and one of Italy's most renowned labels. It is no coincidence that the theme chosen for the 2025 edition was « In the sign of Wine between the gates of Taurasi ».

A historic event, born in 1983

The event has its roots in 1983 and is organized by the Pro Centro Storico Committee with the patronage of the Municipality of Taurasi. Over the years, the formula has remained faithful to its original spirit: a self-managed village festival, built by volunteers and local families, without large stages or corporate event logic. It is this domestic and convivial character that makes it recognizable among the many festivals of Irpinia.

The Wine Festival and food stalls

The heart of the festival is the Wine Festival. During the event, the stalls set up along the alleys remain active for long hours, typically from noon until late at night, with the aperitif area filling up in the late afternoon and the culinary section coming to life after sunset. On the plate, you will find traditional Irpinian dishes, accompanied by glasses of wine from local producers.

• Aperitif area in the late afternoon, outdoors among the stone houses
• Food stalls featuring traditional Irpinian rural cuisine
• Local wine tastings, with Aglianico and Taurasi DOCG in the spotlight
• Refreshment points scattered along the entire route between the two gates

Folklore, street performers, and Village Games

Alongside the food and wine, there is an entertainment program that occupies squares, small plazas, and staircases. Folk groups perform with music and dances from the traditional Campanian repertoire, while street performers occupy the corners of the village with short performances repeated throughout the evening. For the little ones, the cultural association « Taurasium » offers Village Games, an afternoon of old-fashioned games designed for families.

The Marquis Castle, the museum, and the wineries

One of the most appreciated aspects of the festival is the opportunity to visit the town's heritage. During the event, sensory paths and guided tours are offered, touching upon the Marquis Castle of Taurasi, the museum, and several local wineries. It is a way to link the festival to the history of the village, which preserves its medieval layout, walls, and the two gates that give the event its name.

Taurasi and the wine-growing Irpinia

Taurasi is located in the Calore Valley, in one of the most important wine-growing areas of Southern Italy, a short distance from towns like Mirabella Eclano, Montemarano, Sant'Angelo all'Esca, and Fontanarosa. The landscape is characterized by terraced vineyards rising toward the villages, with late harvests often extending until late October: this is why the September festival falls right at the moment when the countryside is most vibrant. Those arriving from outside the region can easily combine the visit with an itinerary through the wineries of the Taurasi DOCG and Greco di Tufo area.

The 2026 edition

At the time of writing, the Pro Centro Storico Committee has not yet released the calendar for the 2026 edition: dates and the program are usually communicated in the summer through the channels of the Municipality of Taurasi and the festival's Facebook page. In recent years, the event has fallen on a weekend in September—September 6th and 7th in 2025, September 14th and 15th in 2024—so it is reasonable to expect a similar placement, which, however, remains to be confirmed.