Taurasi Wine Festival

The wine that gives the village its name

In the heart of Irpinia, along the Valle del Calore, the town of Taurasi lends its name to one of the most celebrated red wines in Southern Italy: Taurasi DOCG, crafted from Aglianico grapes and considered by many the king of Southern wines. Every year, in mid-August, the Taurasi Wine Festival celebrates this bond between a village and its vineyards with five days of tastings, culture, and folk music that bring the entire historic center to life.

Five days among alleys and cellars

The event is conceived and organized by the Pro Loco Taurasi with the patronage of the Municipality and the support of the Regione Campania, as well as local entities and associations; it is part of the Sistema Irpinia circuit of the Province of Avellino. The streets of the medieval village fill with local producers' stands, gourmet trails, thematic meetings, and entertainment: a complete immersion into the Campanian winemaking tradition, with the free admission that has always characterized the event. The organizers' stated goal is to offer a broad overview of everything revolving around wine in Irpinia, an essential economic, cultural, and tourist resource for the entire province.

The Castello Marchionale, the heart of the festival

The focal point of the fair is the Castello Marchionale, the fortress that dominates Taurasi and which, in recent editions, has hosted the most refined part of the program:

• the Enoteca Irpinia tasting booth, featuring labels from local producers;
• guided sensory journeys dedicated to the three Irpinian DOCGs — Taurasi, Fiano di Avellino, and Greco di Tufo;
• a guided tour of the castle's Renaissance architecture;
• photo exhibitions, taste workshops, and conferences with guests from the world of food and wine journalism.

Surrounding the castle, exhibition spaces host local crafts and typical products from the province of Avellino, in a layout that enhances the small squares and alleys of the old town.

Irpinian peasant cuisine

Alongside the wine glasses, the festival offers traditional dishes: zuppa del cantiniere, caciocavallo impiccato (melted over embers), local cheeses and cured meats, along with specialties prepared by local associations. It is honest, rustic cuisine, designed to pair with Aglianico and to tell, dish by dish, the gastronomic identity of this part of inland Campania.

Folk music every evening

Each evening concludes with a free concert. The programming has always favored folk music from Southern Italy — tammurriate, tarantelle, the archaic rhythms of the bottari — alongside folk, Celtic, and rock bands. In the 2025 edition, titled "The Dancing Wine," performers included Sibbenga Sunamo, Brutti di Fosco, the Bottari di Macerata, the NuJu Band, and the Gomma Gommas: five distinct evenings, all built around dance and public celebration.

Why it's worth the trip

The Wine Festival is not just a wine fair: it is the moment when a village of a few thousand inhabitants opens up to visitors and showcases its heritage, from the castle to the historic cellars carved into the tuff. Those who arrive around Ferragosto find an illuminated village, outdoor banquet tables, and the chance to taste in a few hours what the Irpinian hills produce in an entire year. An event that, over the years, has become one of the most credible showcases for Campanian wine.