Vespe in the City of Greco

A Vespa rally through the Greco di Tufo vineyards

«Vespe nella Città del Greco» brings together two deeply Italian passions: the world's most iconic scooter and a great white wine. The event takes place in Tufo, a small town in the Province of Avellino, Campania, which has lent its name to the wine: Greco di Tufo DOCG. For one Sunday in May, the roads winding through the vines fill with vintage and modern Vespas, forming a slow-moving caravan that traverses the heart of the appellation in the Sabato Valley.

Meeting in Piazza Umberto I

The starting point is Piazza Umberto I, in the town center, where participants are welcomed in the early morning, between 8:00 and 10:00 AM. This is the most social part of the day: registration, coffee, photos of the polished bikes, and time to chat among Vespa enthusiasts from Irpinia and neighboring provinces. The pace is that of a tourist rally rather than a race: the group sets off when everyone is ready.

Towards the panoramic square of San Paolo

From the historic center, the line of Vespas moves towards the panoramic square of the San Paolo hamlet, the heart of the DOCG area, where the group stops until noon. From here, the view sweeps over the hills planted with Greco and the Sabato Valley: it is the spot where the landscape tells the story of why this corner of Irpinia has become one of the homes of Italian white wine better than any brochure: orderly slopes, volcanic soils, and vineyards that reach right to the edge of the road.

Engines off: wineries and a glass of Greco

The second part of the day is dedicated to wine. With engines off, the tour continues through the local wineries for a tasting of Greco di Tufo—ideally the DOCG version—presented directly by the producers. For those staying into the afternoon, there is also the option of a convivial lunch featuring grilled meat shared with the group: the simplest and most effective way to wrap up a day like this.

Tufo, the village of tuff and sulfur

The Municipality of Tufo has just over seven hundred inhabitants and takes its name from the volcanic rock found in the subsoil of the entire area, which allowed for settlement as early as ancient times. The village is dominated by a medieval castle and preserves the memory of the ancient sulfur mines, a little-known chapter of industrial history in inland Campania. The patron saint is Saint Michael the Archangel, celebrated on May 8th, and in early autumn the village hosts the Tufo Greco Festival, the most well-known event on the local calendar. Tufo borders Altavilla Irpina, Petruro Irpino, Prata di Principato Ultra, Santa Paolina, and Torrioni: a pocket of hills where villages follow one another just minutes apart.

Who organizes it

The initiative is promoted by the Pro Loco of Tufo in collaboration with the Municipality of Tufo and the Vespa Club Avellino. It is a community event rather than a tourist showcase: it stems from the desire to introduce the Greco area to visitors, using Vespas as a pretext to slow down and look around. Local sources report it as fully accessible and suitable for a wide audience, including families.

Why it's worth the trip

• The landscape of the Greco di Tufo DOCG vineyards, in one of the best seasons to explore it.
• A slow-paced rally, without a competitive spirit, with a panoramic stop in San Paolo.
• Tastings in the cellar with local producers.
• A convivial lunch featuring grilled meat, by reservation.
• An authentic village in Irpinia, between a medieval castle and the memory of sulfur mines.