Vermouth and Bitter Festival

The Vermouth and Bitter Festival in Monferrato

The Vermouth and Bitter Festival is a widespread event that brings various locations across Piedmont to life every April, showcasing two of the region's finest specialties: vermouth and bitter. Now in its fifth edition, the festival is headquartered in Biella but branches out to numerous regional venues, where participating producers open their doors for tours, tastings, and in-depth sessions. Among these is the Distilleria Mazzetti d'Altavilla, which brings the festival to the heart of the Monferrato area, in Altavilla Monferrato, in the Province of Alessandria.

The Distilleria Mazzetti d'Altavilla

Nestled on the hilltop of Altavilla Monferrato, the historic Mazzetti distillery is one of the producers adhering to the Vermouth and Bitter Route, an initiative designed to encourage visits, tastings, and educational experiences that enhance the sensory appreciation of these spirits. During the festival, the distillery highlights its latest creations, the Vermouth di Torino Mazzetti and the Bitter Mazzetti, which are the result of the long-standing Monferrato tradition of working with aromatic herbs and distillates.

Guided Tours and Tastings

The core of the experience is a guided tour of the distillery, which takes visitors on a journey of discovery through the production areas, concluding with a guided tasting of grappas and spirits, with a special focus on Vermouth di Torino Mazzetti and Bitter Mazzetti. The products are offered both neat, to capture their aromatic profile, and in cocktails, to understand their role in contemporary mixology and the grand tradition of the Piedmontese aperitivo.

• Guided tours of the distillery facilities
• Guided tasting of Vermouth di Torino and Bitter Mazzetti
• Tasting neat and in cocktails
• In-depth exploration of vermouth and bitter culture

An Experience in Monferrato

Participating in the festival in Altavilla Monferrato also means immersing yourself in one of Piedmont's most evocative landscapes: the wine-growing hills of Monferrato, a UNESCO World Heritage site. A visit to the distillery thus becomes the perfect opportunity to combine the discovery of a signature local product with a day spent exploring the villages and vineyards of the Province of Alessandria.

When and How to Participate

Activities take place on weekends throughout the festival period, on Saturdays and Sundays, with two time slots available daily. Participation is by mandatory reservation, which should be made in advance to secure a spot during the event days.