Un Quarto di Cantine

A wine cellar festival in the heart of Giglio Castello

Un Quarto di Cantine is the May food and wine event that transforms the medieval village of Giglio Castello, a historic district of Isola del Giglio, into a culinary journey through alleys, arches, and ancient cellars. Organized by the Pro Loco Isola del Giglio e Giannutri with the support of the local municipality, the event celebrates the island's viticulture and the opening of its historic cellars, acting as a precursor to the traditional Grape and Wine Festival scheduled for the last weekend of September.

Ansonaco wine, the absolute star

The heart of the event is Ansonaco, the island's signature white wine with its characteristic amber color. An authentic local product, it is full-bodied with a high alcohol content and a dry, slightly bitter finish, vinified in its pure form. The cellars opened to visitors are the historic ones of the village, once used for the production of Ansonaco and carved directly into the bedrock of the ancient center.

Tastings, local dishes, and village atmosphere

Each cellar offers a different dish to sample, from land and sea specialties to cavatelli gigliesi, and desserts served in the historic Sala dei Lombi. The food and wine stroll through the ancient cellars is accompanied by live music, street performers, and, on Saturday night, a DJ set in Piazza Gloriosa. The event is also a perfect opportunity to discover the charm of Giglio Castello, a fortified village overlooking the island in the province of Grosseto, Tuscany.

A young and growing event

Though only a few years old, the festival has grown rapidly to become one of the most anticipated events of the Giglio spring, attracting both residents and visitors well before the summer season. The formula combines the rediscovery of historic cellars, the promotion of local products, and the conviviality of the village, creating a weekend that sets the stage for the island's winemaking season.