Vinalia
Seven nights of wine, art, and flavors in the Sannio village
About Vinalia
Vinalia, the Sannio wine festival in Guardia Sanframondi
Since 1994, Vinalia has been the event that kicks off August in the heart of the Telesina Valley, in the province of Benevento. For seven consecutive nights, the historic center of Guardia Sanframondi, one of the most charming villages in inland Campania, becomes a collective narrative dedicated to Sannio wine, local produce, contemporary art, and live music. In 2026, the event reaches its 33rd edition, scheduled from August 4th to 10th.
A new theme every year
Vinalia is more than just a food and wine festival: every edition is built around a theme that weaves through exhibitions, meetings, and book presentations. The guiding thread for 2026 is 'Supports, or the sense of the vine for connections': an image starting from the stake that supports the vine to speak of bonds, shared responsibility, and community. In 2025, the theme was 'Spes contra spem' (Hope against hope), the resilience that persists even when everything seems difficult. It is this attention to the cultural dimension that distinguishes Vinalia from a traditional village fair.
The Taste Trail
The heart of the festival is the Taste Trail, open every evening from 8:00 PM: starting from Piazza Castello, heading up via Filippo Maria Guidi to Piazza Mercato, passing through alleys, courtyards, and historic cellars. At the entrance, you can purchase a tasting kit—a pouch, a glass, and four tickets—to use at your preferred wineries.
- A dozen Sannio wineries for tasting, including La Guardiense, Cantina di Solopaca, Cantine Foschini, Cantine del Maresciallo, and Bicu de Fremundi.
- Sannio denomination wines: Falanghina, Aglianico, Greco, Coda di Volpe, Piedirosso, and sparkling wines.
- Stalls with local products and street food: taralli, panzanella, fried specialties, cured meats, cheeses, honey, artisanal gelato, and desserts.
- Lounge bars and wine bars scattered throughout the squares for late-night enjoyment.
VinArte, contemporary art enters the village
For sixteen years, Vinalia has hosted VinArte, the contemporary art section conceived and directed by maestro Giuseppe Leone. In 2026, the 16th edition is titled 'Support and Connection' and occupies four locations in the historic center: the church of Ave Gratia Plena with the 'Altars of Art', the Sacristy, the Monte dei Pegni, and Palazzo Marotta Romano, which hosts the contemporary photography section curated by Azzurra Immediato. The exhibitions are open every afternoon and evening with free admission: painting, sculpture, installations, and photography engage in a dialogue with the town's historic architecture.
Agrirock Festival and Jazz di Vino
The soundtrack of Vinalia is divided between two stages: the Agrirock Festival in Piazza Mercato, with bands and DJ sets animating the night, and Jazz di Vino, the more intimate festival hosted on via Fabio Golino, dedicated to jazz and singer-songwriter ensembles. Concerts usually start around 10:00 PM and are free to attend.
Showcooking, winery visits, and Vinalia Kids
- Showcooking with local chefs, hosted in the Assembly Hall of the medieval Castle in case of bad weather.
- At the Wineries: guided tours and tastings at local producers, such as La Guardiense and Cantine Foschini.
- Vinalia Kids: workshops and activities designed for children and families.
- Vinalia Books: book presentations and meetings with authors.
- Dolcemente, the space dedicated to artisanal pastry.
The grand finale: Calici di Stelle and the Falanghina White Night
The final evenings are the most anticipated. Vinalia participates in Calici di Stelle, the national initiative of the Wine Tourism Movement and the National Association of Wine Cities: at midnight, in Piazza Mercato, a toast is made with sparkling wines from La Guardiense, followed immediately by the Falanghina White Night, with live music until late. These are not separate events, but the natural culmination of the week.
Organizers and location
The event is promoted by the Viticulturists' Circle and organized by the Vinalia Committee, with the patronage of the Municipality of Guardia Sanframondi, the Province of Benevento, and the Campania Region, and with the support of the Irpinia Sannio Chamber of Commerce, the GAL Titerno, and the La Guardiense winery. Guardia Sanframondi, perched around its castle, is today one of the most interesting destinations in Sannio: a stone village to be explored slowly, which during Vinalia shows its most vibrant and welcoming face.
Vinalia — edition 2026
For the 33rd edition, scheduled from August 4th to 10th, 2026, the Vinalia Committee has chosen as its guiding thread 'Supports, or the sense of the vine for connections': from the stake that supports the vine branch to the idea of bonds and shared responsibility. The historic center of Guardia Sanframondi, in the province of Benevento, returns to host for seven nights the Taste Trail, tastings curated with the Sannio Consortium for the Protection of Wines, showcooking, 'At the Wineries' tours, Vinalia Kids workshops, and the dual musical offering of the Agrirock Festival and Jazz di Vino.
The artistic chapter is entrusted to the 16th edition of VinArte, 'Support and Connection', directed by Giuseppe Leone with the photography section curated by Azzurra Immediato: four locations in the village — the church of Ave Gratia Plena with the 'Altars of Art', the Sacristy, the Monte dei Pegni, and Palazzo Marotta Romano — open with free admission until August 10th. The final evenings are dedicated to Calici di Stelle and the Falanghina White Night, with the midnight toast in Piazza Mercato and music until late at night.
Programme Vinalia 2026
33rd edition — from August 4th to 10th, 2026, every evening in the historic center of Guardia Sanframondi. Theme: 'Supports, or the sense of the vine for connections'.
Every evening
- Taste Trail from 8:00 PM: from Piazza Castello to Piazza Mercato along via Filippo Maria Guidi, with a dozen Sannio wineries for tasting (La Guardiense, Cantina di Solopaca, Cantine Foschini, Cantine del Maresciallo, Bicu de Fremundi, and others). The kit includes a pouch, glass, and four tickets.
- Guided tastings by the Sannio Consortium for the Protection of Wines.
- Showcooking with local chefs (in case of bad weather, in the Assembly Hall of the medieval Castle).
- At the Wineries: visits and tastings at local producers, including La Guardiense and Cantine Foschini.
- Vinalia Kids: workshops and activities for children and families.
- Agrirock Festival in Piazza Mercato and Jazz di Vino on via Fabio Golino, concerts from approximately 10:00 PM.
- Dolcemente, the artisanal pastry space, plus lounge bars and wine bars in the squares.
Scheduled events
- Tuesday, August 4th, 6:00 PM — inauguration of VinArte, 16th edition, 'Support and Connection'. Conceived and directed by Giuseppe Leone; photography section curated by Azzurra Immediato. Locations: church of Ave Gratia Plena with 'Altars of Art', Sacristy, Monte dei Pegni, and Palazzo Marotta Romano. Exhibitions open until August 10th, every afternoon and evening, free admission.
- Wednesday, August 5th — presentation of the monograph 'I giorni della clessidra' (Guida Editore) dedicated to the work of Giuseppe Leone, with an essay by Marco Bussagli.
- Final evenings of August 9th and 10th — Calici di Stelle and Falanghina White Night: at midnight, in Piazza Mercato, toast with sparkling wines from La Guardiense, followed by live music until late.
VinArte 2026 Artists
Marco Abbamondi, Max Coppeta, Alessandro Caporaso, Pierluigi Fresia, Angelo Lanfranchi, Anna Rosati, Amedeo Sanzone, Ernesto Pengue, Margherita Palmieri, Noemi Verdoliva, Stefania Ianniello, Mariapia Saccone, Ludovica Buonanno, and Giuseppe Leone; for the photography section Francesco Garofano, Luciano Ferrara, and Natalino Russo.
The complete day-by-day program and the trail map are published on the official website vinalia.it, which is updated until the opening of the event.
Highlights Vinalia 2026
- 33rd edition: seven nights from August 4th to 10th, 2026.
- Taste Trail from 8:00 PM, from Piazza Castello to Piazza Mercato, with a dozen Sannio wineries.
- VinArte, 16th edition: 'Support and Connection', four locations in the village, free admission.
- Agrirock Festival in Piazza Mercato and Jazz di Vino on via Fabio Golino.
- Showcooking in the medieval Castle, 'At the Wineries' tours, and Vinalia Kids workshops.
- Grand finale with Calici di Stelle and the Falanghina White Night.
Prices Vinalia 2026
Practical information — Vinalia
How to get there
Guardia Sanframondi is located in the Telesina Valley, about 30 km from Benevento and 70 km from Naples. By car, take the SS372 'Telesina' road, which connects Benevento to the A1 motorway (Caianello exit). By train, the most convenient station is Telese Terme-Cerreto, on the Benevento-Caserta line, about 10 km from the town, with bus or taxi connections. The nearest airport is Naples Capodichino.
Parking and access
The historic center is best explored on foot: it is advisable to leave your car in the lower part of the town and walk up towards the castle. The streets are steep and paved with stone, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Opening hours
Taste Trail from 8:00 PM; VinArte exhibitions in the afternoon and evening; Agrirock Festival and Jazz di Vino concerts from approximately 10:00 PM.
Where to stay
Guardia Sanframondi and neighboring towns (Telese Terme, Cerreto Sannita, San Lorenzello, Solopaca) offer B&Bs, farmhouses, and hotels. During the evenings of Calici di Stelle and the Falanghina White Night, it is best to book well in advance.
Contacts
Vinalia Committee — [email protected] — +39 345 0457090 — www.vinalia.it
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Where does it take place — Vinalia
Centro storico di Guardia Sanframondi
Centro storico - Piazza Castello, 82034 Guardia Sanframondi