Calici di Stelle Montepulciano stands as the flagship summer wine festival of Tuscany and the most celebrated night of the year for the town of Montepulciano, conceived and organized by the Strada del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano e dei Sapori della Valdichiana Senese in close collaboration with the Municipality of Montepulciano and with the support of over 190 associated members including wineries, farms, restaurants, wine bars, accommodation facilities, spas and cultural associations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The name itself, which translates as Chalices of Stars or Glasses of Stars, perfectly captures the dual soul of the event: on one side the profound winemaking tradition of one of Italy’s oldest denominations, and on the other the enchanting atmosphere of a Renaissance hill town illuminated only by historic lights and the night sky. For one evening, the entire historic center, from Piazza Grande to Piazza Sant\u2019Agostino and through the intricate network of alleys belonging to the eight Contrade del Brav\u00eco delle Botti, is transformed into a widespread, open-air tasting village where visitors move freely with a tasting glass and a neck glass-holder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The core identity of the event lies in its ability to make great wine accessible, convivial and deeply territorial. Every year more than 40 wineries participate, presenting over 80 labels that represent the full spectrum of Montepulciano’s production. This includes Rosso di Montepulciano DOC, the fresh and versatile younger brother, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, the noble, Sangiovese-based wine that was the first in Italy to obtain the DOCG recognition. Visitors encounter everything from small, family-run organic estates working only a few hectares to historic and internationally renowned houses such as Avignonesi, Boscarelli, Poliziano, Salcheto, Carpineto, La Braccesca of the Antinori family, Contucci, Dei, Fassati, Talosa and Montemercurio. Each producer pours directly, tells the story of the vintage, explains soil and climate, and creates a direct relationship that no traditional fair can replicate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond the wine, Calici di Stelle Montepulciano is a complete cultural experience that involves all senses. The streets are filled with live music ranging from jazz trios to classical quartets, folk groups, street artists, dance performances, art exhibitions, artisan markets, guided walks, and dedicated entertainment for children. The monumental cellars carved into the tuff stone beneath the palaces, some dating back to the fourteenth century, open their doors for special visits. There is no obligation to purchase an entrance ticket to enter the town and enjoy the atmosphere, as the festival is designed to be inclusive and open. Instead, visitors can choose among three different tasting experiences that suit different levels of interest, time and budget. It is precisely this combination of high-quality wine, breathtaking location, community participation and sustainable vision that has allowed the event to reach its 26th edition, becoming a symbol of summer in Valdichiana Senese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The entire town becomes a cellar:<\/strong> What truly distinguishes Calici di Stelle Montepulciano from any other wine festival in Italy is its venue. There is no pavilion, no fairground, no enclosed area. The venue is Montepulciano itself, a masterpiece of Renaissance urban planning perched at 605 meters above sea level with panoramic views over vineyards, olive groves and cypress trees. Piazza Grande, with Palazzo Comunale, Palazzo Tarugi and the Duomo, and Piazza Sant\u2019Agostino become the main tasting hubs, but every corner of the eight Contrade \u2013 Cagnano, Collazzi, Le Coste, Gracciano, Poggiolo, San Donato, Talosa and Voltaia \u2013 hosts a tasting point, a food corner or a musical stage. Walking from one tasting to another means discovering hidden courtyards, secret terraces, noble palaces and underground cellars, with the soft lighting of the historic center enhancing the sense of wonder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Three complementary tasting souls:<\/strong> The organization has developed a format that satisfies both the curious newcomer and the expert collector. The itinerant tasting is free, dynamic and social, ideal for those who want to stroll, chat and discover new labels at their own pace. The guided tasting is intimate, seated and educational, held in exclusive locations such as Terrazza di Vicolo del Leone and Loggiato della Canonica di San Biagio, where certified sommeliers lead a deep dive into 3 or 4 labels paired with refined local products. The Contrada dinner tasting is the most authentic and convivial, with long communal tables set up inside the districts where members cook traditional dishes and share wine in a family-like atmosphere. This tripartite structure allows each visitor to compose their own evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A deep link with stargazing tradition:<\/strong> The event was born to celebrate the night of shooting stars, an Italian popular tradition connected to the night sky in summer. This astronomical connection is not a mere marketing element but a central part of the experience. On a clear night, from the terraces of Montepulciano and from the area around the Temple of San Biagio, it is possible to admire constellations and meteors while holding a glass of Vino Nobile, creating a poetic and almost spiritual bond between sky, land and wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strong sustainability and community ethics:<\/strong> The Strada del Vino Nobile has always promoted responsible practices. The reuse of glasses from previous editions is encouraged with a discounted coupon, single-use plastic is minimized, local zero-kilometer products are prioritized, and collaborations with local farms reduce transport impact. The celebration of the 25th edition with the donation of 25 trees to the Municipality, one for each year of the festival, demonstrated a long-term commitment to environmental stewardship and to leaving a tangible legacy for future generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A festival for everyone:<\/strong> Although wine is the protagonist, Calici di Stelle Montepulciano is designed as a festival for all ages. Children can participate in creative workshops, street games and educational activities about grapes and nature, while non-drinking visitors can enjoy food, music, culture and the extraordinary beauty of the town by night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The culinary dimension of Calici di Stelle Montepulciano is deliberately authentic and deeply rooted in Valdichiana Senese gastronomic heritage, conceived to enhance rather than compete with the elegance and structure of Rosso and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The guiding principle is that of kilometer-zero and seasonal cuisine, with products that come directly from the farms, dairies, oil mills and butchers that are members of the Strada. In guided tastings, the pairing is carefully studied by sommeliers and local producers to demonstrate how food can soften tannins, highlight aromatics and extend the finish of Sangiovese. Typical pairings include Pecorino di Pienza in various stages of aging, from fresh and creamy to aged in walnut leaves or under ash, served with acacia honey and fruit compotes; Tuscan ham, finocchiona, capocollo and salumi made from Cinta Senese, an ancient autochthonous pig breed; crostini with chicken liver p\u00e2t\u00e9 and with white Chianina rag\u00f9; pici, the thick hand-rolled pasta typical of the area, seasoned with aglione, a giant garlic without the pungent core; and traditional cantucci.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Contrade dinners, the cuisine becomes even more homely and generous. Each Contrada has its own group of volunteer cooks, often grandmothers and local trattoria owners, who prepare large pots of ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, pappardelle al cinghiale, grilled Chianina steaks cooked over embers, roast pork with herbs, and vegetable side dishes from local gardens. The dishes are served on long communal tables where neighbors and visitors sit side by side, sharing stories, laughter and wine. It is an immersion into the social fabric of Montepulciano, where food is a vehicle of identity and belonging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Along the itinerant route, street food corners offer bruschetta with newly pressed extra virgin olive oil from Montepulciano, selection of organic cheeses, honey, porchetta sliced on the spot, and fried specialties. An innovative element introduced in recent editions is the Rosso di Montepulciano cocktail corner, where bartenders demonstrate how the younger, fruitier DOC can be used in mixology, creating spritzes and aperitifs that appeal to younger audiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Calici di Stelle Montepulciano does not follow the model of festivals that invite celebrity chefs from outside. Instead, it celebrates the collective culinary intelligence of the territory, giving prominence to those who live and work in Montepulciano every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wineries as protagonists:<\/strong> The list of participating estates is the true line-up of the event. In addition to the already mentioned historic houses, you will find Fattoria Svetoni, Tenuta Valdipiatta, Manvi, Le Bertille, Il Molinaccio, Tenuta Trerose, Vannutelli, Tiberini, Tenuta Golo, Tenuta Santavenere, Antico Colle, Raspanti, Godiolo, Podere Lamberto, Villa Sant\u2019Anna, Tenuta Fontenuova, Podere della Bruciata, Tenuta Aliotti, Bindella, Cantina De\u2019 Ricci, Ercolani, Lunadoro, Podere Casalvento and many others. Each estate manages its own tasting point in Piazza Grande, Sant\u2019Agostino or in one of the Contrade, allowing visitors to engage directly with winemakers, agronomists and family members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contrade kitchens:<\/strong> The eight Contrade del Brav\u00eco delle Botti are not folklore figures but living communities that maintain the town\u2019s medieval division. During Calici di Stelle, each Contrada transforms its headquarters into a small open-air restaurant. The kitchens are run by volunteers, and the recipes are those handed down through generations, preserved in handwritten notebooks. This creates an atmosphere that is festive, authentic and deeply human, far from any commercial restaurant service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Artisan food vendors:<\/strong> Consortia and protection bodies for Pecorino di Pienza DOP, Prosciutto Toscano DOP, Vitellone Bianco dell\u2019Appennino Centrale IGP for Chianina meat, and the local olive oil producers set up educational tasting corners where they explain production methods, aging techniques and the importance of biodiversity. Small artisan producers of honey, saffron from Valdichiana, truffles and organic jams complete the panorama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The food experience at Calici di Stelle Montepulciano is structured to be progressive, educational and convivial, allowing each visitor to choose intensity and rhythm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Itinerant tasting experience:<\/strong> This is the most popular and accessible format. You purchase a star coupon at the information points in Piazza Grande or Sant\u2019Agostino, receive a crystal tasting glass with a practical glass-holder to hang around your neck, and start your walk. The coupon typically includes five tastings, divided into two of Rosso di Montepulciano DOC or Rosso-based cocktails and three of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, poured by sommeliers of FISAR. You move freely among the stations, tasting at your own pace, chatting with producers and listening to music. The glass becomes a symbol of belonging, carried proudly throughout the evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guided tasting experience:<\/strong> For those seeking depth and tranquility, guided tastings offer seated, limited-capacity sessions in locations of extraordinary beauty that are usually closed to the public. The Terrace of Vicolo del Leone, protected by historic walls and overlooking the valley, becomes an exclusive lounge with soft lighting and linen-draped tables. The Loggia of the Canonica of San Biagio, located near the Renaissance temple just outside the walls, offers a breathtaking view of the countryside. Here, certified sommeliers guide you through three to four labels of Vino Nobile, explaining soil composition, vinification techniques, aging potential and food pairing principles, while you taste typical products such as Tuscan ham, Pecorino di Pienza with jams and artisanal bread. Sessions are organized in two rounds, usually early evening and late evening, and require punctual arrival at least fifteen minutes before start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contrada dinner experience:<\/strong> This is the most immersive and convivial format. You book a place at the long tables of a chosen Contrada, where a complete dinner is served. The menu varies by district but generally includes antipasti with local salumi and cheeses, a first course of handmade pasta, a second course of Chianina meat or wild boar, side dishes and dessert with cantucci and Vin Santo. Included are wine tastings and the possibility to purchase bottles directly from the wineries associated with that Contrada. It is the only formula where bottle purchase is allowed on site, and it often ends with communal singing and dancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Date degli eventi:<\/strong> August 10, 2027<\/p>\n\n\n\n Official Timing:<\/strong> Calici di Stelle Montepulciano takes place between 6:00 p.m. and midnight. All tasting activities conclude at midnight, and visitors are kindly asked to complete their tastings before that time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Full Detailed Schedule:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 5:00 p.m. \u2013 Speciale Calici \u2013 Tour of Monumental Cellars:<\/strong> The evening begins with a guided cultural tour titled Speciale Calici. Participants meet in the historic center for a walk through the main streets, learning about the history of Vino Nobile and the Renaissance architecture of Montepulciano. The tour continues inside one of the monumental underground cellars, such as Contucci, De\u2019 Ricci or Ercolani, where huge oak barrels and Slavonian oak casks age the wine for years in cool, humid tuff tunnels. The visit ends with a tasting of Rosso di Montepulciano DOC and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6:00 p.m. \u2013 Opening of Itinerant Tasting Points and Coupon Distribution:<\/strong> Information points in Piazza Grande and Sant\u2019Agostino open for the distribution of star coupons, glasses and holders. The tasting stations in Piazza Grande, Sant\u2019Agostino and the eight Contrade become operational. Street musicians and entertainers begin their performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7:00 p.m. \u2013 First Round of Guided Tastings:<\/strong> Seated tastings begin simultaneously at Terrazza di Vicolo del Leone and Loggiato della Canonica di San Biagio. Each session lasts approximately 60 to 75 minutes, with tasting of 3 to 4 labels of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG paired with typical products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. \u2013 Dinners at the Contrade del Brav\u00eco delle Botti:<\/strong> Progressive seatings for dinners inside Contrada Cagnano, Contrada Collazzi, Contrada Le Coste, Contrada Gracciano, Contrada Poggiolo, Contrada San Donato, Contrada Talosa and Contrada Voltaia. Each dinner includes full menu and wine service, accompanied by live folk music and traditional songs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 8:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. \u2013 Continuous Live Music and Entertainment Program:<\/strong> Multiple stages across the historic center host jazz ensembles, classical string quartets, acoustic folk bands, DJ sets, street theater, jugglers, and children’s workshops with grape juice tasting and educational games about vineyards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9:30 p.m. \u2013 Second Round of Guided Tastings:<\/strong> Second session of guided tastings in the exclusive terraces, ideal for those who want to enjoy the atmosphere after sunset with cooler air and illuminated panoramas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11:30 p.m. to Midnight \u2013 Closing and Final Toasts:<\/strong> Last call for tastings, collective toasts in Piazza Grande and slow winding down of music, with invitation to continue exploring Montepulciano\u2019s wine bars.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFood, Cuisine & Specialties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Chefs, Restaurants & Food Vendors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Food Experience<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Data e Programma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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