VinOlia – Gocce d'Ofena

VinOlia – Gocce d'Ofena, the wine and oil of the Baronia

In Ofena, a small town in the province of L'Aquila nestled between the Gran Sasso massif and the Tirino Valley, VinOlia – Gocce d'Ofena comes to life every year, a free food and wine event dedicated to the local wine and olive oil production. The name combines wine and oil, the two signature products of this Abruzzo land, nicknamed the "oven of Abruzzo" for its warm and breezy microclimate, ideal for cultivating Montepulciano grapes and high-altitude olive trees.

A community project

VinOlia is not just a simple festival: it was born as a cultural and social project promoted by the Realize cooperative together with the Municipality of Ofena and the Pro Loco, with the patronage of the Abruzzo Region and the Gran Sasso d'Italia Chamber of Commerce. The goal is to tell the story of the Tirino Valley through its farms, winemakers, and oil millers, giving a voice to the communities that choose to stay and invest in an inland territory often at risk of depopulation.

Tastings, workshops, and meetings

The day is structured around experiential walks in the village, guided tastings of extra virgin olive oils and local wines, pairings with typical products of the Baronia, workshops for adults and children, and musical moments. There is also an institutional roundtable involving representatives of regional institutions, the GAL Gran Sasso Velino, the Italian Sommelier Association, and producers from the district, from Ofena to Capestrano and Villa Santa Lucia degli Abruzzi.

The protagonists of the territory

Among the entities that bring VinOlia to life are historic wineries and companies in the area such as Cataldi Madonna, Inalto, Agricola Coletti, Gentile, and small olive oil producers in the valley. It is an opportunity to discover labels little known to the general public but capable of authentically expressing the character of this corner of the Abruzzo mountains.

Why visit Ofena during VinOlia

Participating in VinOlia means experiencing a village-scale event, far from mass tourism: a way to taste the flavors of the Tirino Valley, walk through the stone streets of Ofena, and understand the deep bond between these communities and their land. A free event that combines taste, culture, and a sense of belonging.