Calici di Stelle in Abruzzo is one of the wine festivals that anchors the Abruzzo calendar, drawing both local visitors and international wine travellers each year. It is held at Castello Aragonese in Ortona, in the heart of one of Italy's most distinctive wine areas. It is an annual event with an established local audience and a consistent place in the regional calendar.
30+ wineries offer tastings, music and food at the Aragonese Castle in Ortona overlooking the Costa dei Trabocchi. Includes vineyard walks and astronomical observation. Calici di Stelle takes its name from the Night of San Lorenzo on 10 August, when the Perseid meteor shower peaks over Italy. Wineries and town councils across the region run open-air tastings under the night sky, often combined with local food, live music and astronomy programmes. The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly, with wines typically poured in the form of guided tasting flights through the participating area. The event is organised jointly by Movimento Turismo del Vino and Città del Vino, with each participating town or winery setting its own programme within the broader nationwide framework. Many editions include amateur astronomers giving talks during the evening, adding a cultural dimension to the wine tasting itself. The event is organised by Movimento Turismo del Vino Abruzzo, which sets the tone and direction of the programme each year.
Abruzzo is best known for Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, a characterful red made from the Montepulciano grape, alongside Trebbiano d'Abruzzo whites and the distinctive Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo rosé. The region stretches from the Adriatic coast inland to the high peaks of the Apennines, giving producers an unusual range of altitudes and microclimates. The Edoardo Valentini estate, in particular, has set a benchmark for the region internationally.
The 2026 edition is scheduled for 25 July – 15 August 2026. Cost details are best confirmed directly with the organiser ahead of travel. Full programme, ticketing and updated information are published on the official site at movimentoturismovinoabruzzo.it. Visitors are advised to check directly with the organiser for the latest schedule, as Italian festival programmes are sometimes updated close to the event date.
Abruzzo is reached via Pescara or Rome, with the wine area concentrated around Chieti, Pescara, Teramo and L'Aquila. The region combines wine tourism with the dramatic landscapes of the Gran Sasso, Maiella and Sirente-Velino national parks, and the Trabocchi coast — the southern Adriatic stretch dotted with traditional fishing platforms. Abruzzese cuisine pairs the wines with arrosticini (mutton skewers), maccheroni alla chitarra, brodetto alla pescarese, and the local pecorinos and ricottas.
