The Taste of Summer

A night of taste in the heart of the Comino Valley

The Taste of Summer is the food and wine event that kicks off the summer season in San Donato Val di Comino, a village in the province of Frosinone tucked away in the mountains of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. For one evening, the alleys and squares of the historic centre turn into an open-air stage where food, wine, and music showcase the most authentic identity of the Ciociaria region. The event is organised by the Pro Loco of San Donato Val di Comino, in collaboration with Visit San Donato Val di Comino and the local municipality, attracting visitors every year from across the valley and the neighbouring provinces of Lazio and Abruzzo.

A culinary journey through the alleys

The heart of the festival is the 'taste trail' that winds through the village streets: dozens of stalls and culinary stations offer traditional rustic dishes from the Comino Valley and Ciociaria cuisine. Past editions have featured fried gnocchi and bruschetta, sagne e fagioli, polenta with pork ribs, veal stew, porchetta, grilled sausages, arrosticini, and lamb skewers, alongside more creative offerings like maltagliati with asparagus and bacon or truffle gnocchi.

• Local cheeses and cured meats, including regional highlights like the Pecorino di Picinisco DOP
• Wines from the Comino Valley and the wider Lazio region
• Craft beers from local breweries
• Artisan desserts and cocktails to round off the evening

Live music and street performers

The Taste of Summer is about more than just food: live bands, street theatre performances, and children's entertainment accompany your stroll between the stalls, while previous editions have featured a final DJ set that kept the square dancing until late. The organisers' goal is to offer a night of lightheartedness, where visitors can rediscover the pleasure of genuine socialising away from the daily grind.

The 2026 edition

The 2026 edition took place on Saturday, June 20th, starting at 7:00 PM. Local producers opened their stalls featuring typical cheeses, artisan baked goods, and valley wines, accompanied by live music, performances, and games for children. To reach the historic centre easily, a free shuttle service ran from the sports facilities from 7:00 PM until 1:00 AM.

San Donato Val di Comino, a scenic village in Ciociaria

The festival is also the perfect opportunity to discover San Donato Val di Comino, one of the most charming villages in the Comino Valley: a medieval historic centre perched on the mountainside, offering panoramic views of the valley and the peaks of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. The surrounding area is filled with hiking trails, historic towns, and a gastronomic tradition that boasts products like the Mozzarella di Bufala di Amaseno and the Cesanese del Piglio DOCG wines. All the more reason to turn your festival night into a weekend getaway to explore this corner of Lazio.