Venetico Grape Harvest Festival

The Venetico Grape Harvest Festival

In the heart of Venetico Superiore, a small village in the province of Messina overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Grape Harvest Festival returns every year at the end of September. It is one of the most cherished events in the local autumn calendar. Organized by the "Venetico per tutti" Association with the patronage of the Municipality of Venetico, the festival is a journey into the farming memory of Sicily, where vine cultivation has defined the lives of Messina communities for centuries.

The palmento and grape treading

The heart of the event is Piazza Immacolata, where a palmento (traditional stone wine press) is set up, allowing both adults and children to try their hand at traditional grape treading with their feet, just as it was done in the past. Next to the square, visitors can also explore one of the village's ancient palmenti, a precious testament to the area's winemaking history: a unique opportunity to retrace the production stages, from harvesting the grapes to the birth of the wine.

The Barrel Race

Among the most anticipated and entertaining moments is the Barrel Race, a lighthearted competition where local men and women challenge each other by manually rolling a wooden barrel along a set route through the village streets. It is an ancient game that evokes wine culture and serves as a pretext for collective celebration, applause, and a healthy team spirit.

Flavors and folklore

The Grape Harvest Festival is also a triumph of Sicilian popular gastronomy: you can enjoy hot grape mustard (mostarda) prepared on-site, sausage sandwiches, maccheroni alla norma, and locally produced wine. The day is enlivened by performances and entertainment, including exhibitions by folk groups from the Messina tradition, fire shows, and comedy acts that engage families and visitors until evening.

A community festival

More than just a food festival, the Venetico Grape Harvest Festival is an identity-defining event that sees schools, the Pro Loco, and local associations working together. Reaching its twelfth edition in 2025, it represents a precious opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the province of Messina and to rediscover the farming roots of Sicily, in a climate of hospitality and joy.