Sparanise in Vino

A wine festival in the heart of the Agro Caleno

Sparanise in Vino is the late-summer food and wine event in the town of Sparanise, in the province of Caserta, in the heart of the Agro Caleno. For a few evenings in September, the town comes alive: tasting stalls, food stands, music, and shows occupy the area around Villetta Marinelli, along Via Giuseppina Marinelli, turning a local evening into a true culinary journey. The event is promoted by Nuovaproloco Sparanise APS, the association that has been enlivening the town's event calendar for several years.

Campania wine as the star

The common thread of the festival is the promotion of Campania's wine production, with a special focus on local wineries and indigenous grape varieties. The glasses are primarily filled with:

• Aglianico, the great red of the South, structured and long-lived;
• Pallagrello Nero, a historic grape variety of the Upper Caserta area rediscovered in recent decades;
• Falanghina, a fresh and savory white wine among the most iconic of the region;
• other local labels offered directly by the producers.

Guided tastings with sommeliers and producers are among the most popular moments: they allow visitors to understand how a wine is born, compare vintages and styles, and speak directly with those who work the vineyards of the Caleno-Caserta area. It is a rare opportunity, in a town of a few thousand inhabitants, to experience a significant part of the oenological identity of this corner of the Terra di Lavoro in just a few hours.

Local cuisine and town atmosphere

Alongside the wine glasses are food stands dedicated to traditional Campania and Caserta dishes: homemade pasta, grilled meats, fried foods, local cured meats and cheeses, and desserts. The format is that of a classic Italian festival — you walk around, taste, and stop at communal tables — but with a more marked oenological focus compared to traditional town feasts.

Music, shows, and families

Each evening has its own entertainment program, which over the years has alternated between concerts, DJ sets, folk groups, and entertainment for children. In the 2024 edition, the third of the event, the Bottari di Marcianise performed with their ritual percussion on barrels, vats, and scythes, along with a Renato Zero tribute by Nando De Renà and a DJ set by Riccardo Russo, while the second evening was dedicated to tarantellas and Salento pizzica with the cultural association "la Barca di Teseo". A setup that combines popular culture, pop music, and dance, designed for an intergenerational audience.

Why it's worth the trip

Sparanise is conveniently located between Caserta, Capua, and Teano, in an agricultural area where vines coexist with olive groves and arable land. Coming here in September means encountering a less touristy Campania than the coastal one: no queues, festival prices, and a community that showcases its territory without filters. For those traveling between the Royal Palace of Caserta and the Matese, Sparanise in Vino is an evening stop that tells the story of the Caserta area through its food and wine.

Good to know

• Evening event, with stands usually opening after sunset;
• Free admission to the festival area;
• Outdoor setting in the town center of Sparanise;
• Program and dates published annually on the channels of the Nuovaproloco Sparanise APS.