The Night of the Marena

The Night of the Marena: Aromatized wine takes center stage in Itala

In the heart of the Croce district of Itala, an ancient village in the province of Messina nestled between the hills and the Ionian Sea, The Night of the Marena takes place—an event entirely dedicated to rediscovering and promoting a signature local product. The heart of the festival is the Marena, a delicious aromatized wine and ancient culinary specialty of the Monte Scuderi Valley, once present in every home in Itala and jealously guarded in family recipes passed down through generations along the Ionian and Tyrrhenian coast of Messina.

A tradition reborn

For centuries, the Marena was the wine of special occasions, the result of patient craftsmanship and domestic knowledge passed down orally. The event was born with the intent of rescuing this tradition from oblivion, restoring dignity and visibility to a product that tells the agricultural and peasant history of north-eastern Sicily. In Itala, the Marena is not just a drink, but a symbol of belonging and collective memory.

What to expect during the festival

The event is divided into two distinct and complementary parts:

• The Masters of the Marena: Local artisans perform live, showcasing the various and complex processing procedures of this ancient product in an open-air demonstration of their craft.
• The thematic seminar: In collaboration with the Taormina Delegation of the Italian Sommelier Association (AIS), a meeting dedicated to the culture and theory of the product, featuring experts and sommeliers.
• Communal moments: To crown the days, a communal pasta feast brings residents and visitors together around the table, in the most authentic spirit of Sicilian village festivals.

An event rooted in the community

The Night of the Marena is promoted by the Municipality of Itala in collaboration with the Archpriest of Saints Peter, Paul, and James and the Youth Association of Itala. This synergy between institutions, the parish, and the younger generation is the hallmark of the event, which combines food and wine promotion with the social cohesion of a small Sicilian community determined to preserve its roots.