Vignaioli Contrari

A counter-current exhibition in the heart of Emilia

Born in 2016, Vignaioli Contrari has established itself in a few years as one of the reference events for artisanal and territorial wine in Emilia-Romagna. The event takes place in Spilamberto, an elegant town in the province of Modena overlooking the Panaro river, within the evocative Rocca Rangoni, a historic fortress that provides the backdrop for tastings and meetings.

The name encapsulates the philosophy of the event: to give a voice to independent producers who resist taste homogenization, guardians of artisanal, sustainable viticulture linked to indigenous grape varieties. They are women and men who, as the organizers like to recall, continue the oenological history of our country by cultivating the uniqueness and authentic expression of the territory.

Seventy winemakers, over four hundred labels

Each edition brings together about 70 winemakers from all over Italy and some European realities, with over 400 labels for tasting. Visitors can move freely between the tasting counters, talking directly with the producers and discovering natural, organic, and biodynamic wines that are often unavailable in traditional commercial circuits.

• Indigenous grape varieties and rare varieties recovered from oblivion
• Organic, biodynamic, and low-impact practices
• Bottle refermentation and traditional methods
• A journey through the lesser-known denominations of the peninsula

The Slow Food Park and the flavors of the territory

The exhibition is not just about wine. In the historic center of Spilamberto, the Slow Food Park comes to life, organized in collaboration with Slow Food "Vignola e Valle del Panaro": over 20 artisanal producers offer cheeses, cured meats, bread made from ancient grains, preserves, and independent beers. Access is free, and the stalls remain open until the evening, transforming the town into a large market of good taste.

Masterclasses, workshops, and wine culture

The program is enriched by masterclasses and sensory workshops dedicated to the most current topics in artisanal oenology: from bottle refermentation to pairings between Parmigiano Reggiano from historic breeds and sparkling Emilian wines, up to in-depth discussions on natural techniques in response to climate change. The "A tavola col produttore" (At the table with the producer) meetings allow for exploring a grape variety, such as Albana di Romagna, through different terroirs.

Spilamberto and the province of Modena

Visiting Vignaioli Contrari is also an opportunity to discover Spilamberto, the homeland of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, and the surrounding territory of the Province of Modena, between the Apennines and the plain. A corner of Emilia-Romagna where the culture of food and wine is a deep part of the local identity.