Vino in Festa

A wine festival in the village of Paliano

Vino in Festa is the food and wine event that has enlivened the historic center of Paliano for over twenty-five years. Located in the province of Frosinone, between the Prenestini Mountains and the Sacco Valley in the Lazio region, the town provides a stunning backdrop. Organized by the Pro Loco of Paliano with the support of the municipal administration and the Lazio Region, the festival traditionally takes place in July, turning the village's squares, alleys, and cellars into a continuous tasting trail.

Cesanese and Passerina, the heart of the event

The true stars are the local wines. Cesanese, the only red wine from Lazio to boast the DOCG status with the Cesanese del Piglio, is available for tasting alongside Passerina del Frusinate, a fresh, citrusy white wine that has gained significant acclaim well beyond regional borders in recent years. Tasting stations are scattered along the route, allowing visitors to compare the unique interpretations of various Ciociaria wineries.

The Cena dei 200 Calici

Introduced in recent editions, the Cena dei 200 Calici has become the festival's signature event: a long, communal table set in the historic center, featuring a local menu paired with regional wines. With limited seating and advance booking required, this format has consistently sold out, giving the festival an instantly recognizable brand.

Music, folklore, and popular traditions

Beyond the wine, the program highlights the folk culture of Ciociaria. Evenings are filled with DJ sets, folk groups, and roaming performers who wander the alleys with traditional songs, stornelli, and accordions, reviving a repertoire deeply rooted in the town's collective memory. The historic center, with its arches and stairways, serves as a natural, scenic stage.

Flavors and crafts

• Food and wine trail featuring Ciociaria cuisine
• Quality street food stations
• Tastings of Cesanese, Passerina, and other Frusinate wines
• Craft and antique stalls along the village streets
• Folk music performances and traditional groups

Paliano, between the Palio and historic cellars

Vino in Festa is part of a vibrant Paliano summer, which also includes the Palio dell'Assunta with its historical pageant and the Carosello Festival dedicated to street theater. In some years, the event has been accompanied by the Preludio al Palio, a preview of the district competition that ignites the town in August. For visitors, it is the perfect opportunity to discover a village that preserves its medieval layout, ancient tuff-carved cellars, and a deeply rooted winemaking tradition.

Why visit

Those who come to Paliano for Vino in Festa will find a festival perfectly scaled to the village, free from the pressures of large commercial events: you can walk, taste, and chat with the producers. It is one of the most authentic ways to understand what viticulture in lower Lazio means today and to discover a side of Ciociaria that goes far beyond its immediate culinary fame.