Usanze
Three days of flavor, wine, music, and gatherings in the village of Cisterna d'Asti
About Usanze
Usanze, the festival of the village of Cisterna d'Asti
In the heart of the Roero area, halfway between the wine hills and the hazelnut groves, the village of Cisterna d'Asti hosts Usanze every year, an event blending gastronomy, live music, and culture. Organized by the Pro Loco Cisterna d'Asti APS, the festival has quickly become one of the most anticipated summer events in the province of Asti, Piedmont, attracting visitors from across the region.
A traveling journey through taste and wine
The beauty of Usanze lies in its widespread character: not just a single stage, but a traveling menu that winds through the streets of the village around the Castle. Five food stalls offer local dishes, while tastings showcase sixteen local winemakers and the wines of the Cisterna d'Asti DOC denomination, a small and precious oenological excellence of the Roero.
Music, DJ sets, and gatherings
The evenings are accompanied by concerts and DJ sets spread across courtyards, squares, and the Castle esplanade. Alongside the music, Usanze offers conferences and cultural meetings hosted in the village's churches and historic spaces, giving the event a dimension that goes beyond a simple food festival. Finally, there is also something for cycling enthusiasts, with a cycling tour through the hills of the Roero.
The 2026 theme: "Chi u resta?"
Each edition of Usanze chooses a guiding thread. In 2026, the theme is "Chi u resta?" ("Who stays?"), a reflection in the Piedmontese dialect on small towns, depopulation, and those who choose to live in them and keep them alive. A theme addressed through music, words, and guests, because Usanze is, first and foremost, a collective celebration of community.
Why it's worth visiting
- An opportunity to discover Cisterna d'Asti DOC wines directly from the producers.
- A historic Roero village brought to life for three consecutive evenings.
- Plenty of live music and DJ sets throughout the village.
- Free admission to main events, with the option to eat and drink along the route.
Usanze — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Usanze brings three evenings of taste, wine, and culture to Cisterna d'Asti around the theme "Chi u resta?", dedicated to small towns and those who choose to stay. The traveling menu with five food stalls and tastings from sixteen local winemakers, featuring Cisterna d'Asti DOC wines, are confirmed.
The program alternates live music, DJ sets spread throughout the village, conferences, and meetings with guests, in addition to the usual 21 km cycling tour through the Roero hills.
Programme Usanze 2026
Friday, June 26
- 7:00 PM — "Ristorantino al Castello" (fixed menu €35, reservation required at +39 333 3585406); burgers and snacks
- "Drink with Jack Food & Wine"
- DJ set with Ma Nu
- Free admission
Saturday, June 27
- 2:00 PM — Sports Field: 21 km cycling tour (€10 with gift; helmet mandatory; e-bikes available, info +39 366 7273951)
- 7:00 PM — San Giuseppe Church: conference with Leonardo Balla, "Small towns, great lessons in sustainability" (free admission)
- 7:00 PM — Traveling menu with 5 food stalls and tastings from 16 local winemakers
- Live music: Santamarea, Roncea, Coti, Galirò, Mini Ottoni, Simone Grimaldi
Sunday, June 28
- 6:00 PM — Church of Saints Gervasio and Protasio: meeting with Franco Arminio, "The incredible cannot be told to everyone" (free)
- 7:00 PM — Traveling menu and wine tastings
- 8:30 PM — Castle Esplanade: show by Paolo Tibaldi on the Piedmontese language and villages (free)
- Live music: Lumiero, Mishkale, Lee Money, Lorenzo Cerchio, Bucalone, Salgari
Highlights Usanze 2026
Prices Usanze 2026
Practical information — Usanze
How to get there
Cisterna d'Asti is located in the Roero area, about 25 km from Asti and 30 km from Alba. By car, it can be reached via the A33 Asti-Cuneo motorway or the state road; the village is about an hour from Turin. Reference railway stations are in Asti and Bra.
Admission and reservations
Admission to the main events and concerts is free. For the "Ristorantino al Castello" (Castle Restaurant), reservations are mandatory at +39 333 3585406. For the cycling tour (with e-bike rental), the contact number is +39 366 7273951.
Contacts
Pro Loco Cisterna d'Asti APS — [email protected] — Instagram @usanze2026.
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Where does it take place — Usanze
Borgo storico e Castello di Cisterna d'Asti
Via Duca d'Aosta 15, 14010 Cisterna d'Asti