Merano WineFestival Calabria – Essence of the South 2026
Merano WineFestival Calabria – Essence of the South 2026: Calabria is back in the spotlight of the wine & food world
From June 5 to 8, 2026, Calabria will host a new edition of Merano WineFestival Calabria – Essence of the South, the project born from the collaboration between Merano WineFestival, the Region of Calabria and the Consortium for the Protection and Valorization of Cirò and Melissa DOC wines.
After the success of the first edition, the format conceived by Helmuth Köcher returns to the heart of the Cirò area with an event dedicated to the enhancement of the wine and food excellence of Southern Italy.
A journey through wine, biodiversity and territorial identity
Merano WineFestival Calabria was created with the aim of bringing the spirit of the famous South Tyrolean festival to Southern Italy, while enhancing the agricultural, gastronomic and cultural heritage of Calabria.
In fact, the project aims to tell the story of the wine biodiversity of Southern Italy through tastings, meetings, masterclasses and in-depth moments dedicated to the territories, appellations and producers that represent the excellence of the South.
Great attention will be paid to the wines of Doc Cirò and Doc Melissa, identity symbols of Calabrian viticulture, along with a selection of wineries from different Italian regions.
One of the distinctive elements of the event is the strong connection with the host territory. Between Cirò, Cirò Marina and Melissa, the festival will offer an immersive experience capable of combining landscape, Mediterranean culture and winemaking tradition.
A choral tale that focuses on the value of territorial identity and the increasingly strategic role of Southern Italy in the contemporary wine scene.
Tastings, showcooking and meetings with producers
The festival will offer tasting counters, tasting routes and events dedicated to the dialogue between wine and Mediterranean gastronomy.
Alongside the tastings there will be showcooking, meetings with producers, insights into the food and agricultural traditions of the South and moments dedicated to innovation in the wine & food sector.
The event thus confirms itself not only as a showcase for Calabrian wine, but also as a platform for operators, trade press, buyers and enthusiasts to meet.
Program:
From 5 to 8 of june:
June 5, 2026 – Aragonese Tower of Melissa – Seminars and Masterclasses
From 5 p.m. onward, Melissa’s picturesque Aragonese Tower will host a day dedicated to in-depth wine making with seminars and masterclasses. An apericena with typical products and wine tasting is planned after the event.
June 6, 2026 – Cirò Superiore – Street Wine&Food Festival
One village, one glass, a thousand stories to discover. From 6 p.m. to midnight, the historic center of Cirò is transformed into a journey of wine, food, culture and music.
- 17:00 – 17:30 Official opening with ribbon cutting
- 18:00 – 23:00 Old Town Cirò:
- Wine Tasting – There will be 7 collective islands dedicated to wine: from Classic Method bubbles, such as Trento DOC and Franciacorta, to Charmat Method wines such as Prosecco di Valdobbiadene.
Ample space will also be dedicated to white and rosé wines from all over Italy. Among the collectives of great Italian red wines, there will be no shortage of prestigious labels such as Brunello di Montalcino, Amarone della Valpolicella and Barolo.
The Consortium of Aglianico del Vulture will have its own dedicated collective and, last but not least, a wide selection of Calabrian wines will not be missed. - Cirò Chef – 10 local chefs sign three Food Islands. An unmissable opportunity to discover, savor and enhance the culinary identity of Calabria through authentic and creative interpretations.
- Cirò Wine Territory – Wine shop
- Historical Cirò – Luigi Lilio Museum
- Cirò Music – live music
June 7, 2026 – Cirò Marina, Borgo Saverona
- 17:00 – 18:00: Inauguration with saber rattling
- 18:00 – 24:00: Wine&Food: 100+ Exhibit tables from wineries and food, spirits&beer companies
- 18:00 – 24:00: Cirò Music: live music in the pool area.
- 22:00 – 24:00: Lounge “Mixology&Music” on the terrace.
June 8, 2026 – Cirò Marina, Borgo Saverona – Day dedicated to industry professionals, buyers & press
A day designed for professionals in the sector, with an awards ceremony dedicated to Calabrian restaurateurs and a taste trail involving the excellence of the area’s restaurants, wine bars and accommodations.
- 16:00 – 20:00: Program to be determined
- Calabrian Restaurateurs Award Ceremony – Program to be determined
- Taste Trail – Restaurateurs, wine bars and accommodations in the area. Details being worked out
The detailed program will be progressively updated on the official website of the event: Merano WineFestival Calabria