Verdicchio Festival is one of the wine festivals that anchors the Marche calendar, drawing both local visitors and international wine travellers each year. It is held at Various Marche venues in Italy, 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.
Annual showcase organised by the Istituto Marchigiano di Tutela Vini covering the two Verdicchio DOCs — Castelli di Jesi (the larger, near the Adriatic coast) and Matelica (smaller, inland). Producers pour current and library vintages, with masterclasses on the marked stylistic differences between the two appellations and on Verdicchio's increasingly recognised ageing potential. The white grape is one of central Italy's most distinctive varieties. Italian wine festivals typically combine producer tastings with food pairings, live music, and a strong sense of place. Visitors can expect access to wines from a range of producers in the appellation, alongside food stalls offering regional specialities, masterclasses or vineyard walks for those who want to learn more, and an opportunity to buy directly from producers at cellar prices. Many events run across multiple days or weekends, allowing visitors to sample different parts of the programme according to interest, and combine well with the area's wider tourism offer. The event is organised by Istituto Marchigiano di Tutela Vini, which sets the tone and direction of the programme each year.
Marche is best known for Verdicchio, made in two distinct DOCs: Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi (the larger, near the Adriatic coast) and Verdicchio di Matelica (smaller, inland, with a different style). Both have Riserva DOCGs above. The region also produces the powerful Conero DOCG and Rosso Piceno reds from Montepulciano and Sangiovese, alongside sparkling Verdicchio. Marche wines offer strong value compared with neighbouring Tuscany and Umbria.
The 2026 edition is scheduled for Spring or summer 2026 (dates TBC). Cost details: Paid (tasting pass). Full programme, ticketing and updated information are published on the official site at https://www.imtdoc.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.
Marche is reached via Ancona airport or by train along the Adriatic coast from Bologna or Pescara. The Castelli di Jesi area sits in the hills above Ancona, with Cupramontana and Jesi as practical bases for Verdicchio-focused visits. Marche cuisine pairs the wines with vincisgrassi (the local lasagne), olive ascolane (deep-fried stuffed olives from Ascoli Piceno), brodetto (Adriatic fish stew) and the local pecorinos. The region offers a quieter wine tourism experience than Tuscany or Umbria.
