Castell’Arquato – Monterosso Val d’Arda Festival

Monterosso Val d’Arda Festival 2025: 12th food and wine festival dedicated to a historic wine, now so appreciated by new generations

New this year: 30 wineries with their own versions of Monterosso, Saturday evening youth special, an Android and iOS app and a packed program of events and meetings.

The authentic medieval historic village of Castell’Arquato, recognized among the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy” and awarded the Orange Flag by the Italian Touring Club, is preparing to welcome visitors from all over the world to the Monterosso Val d’Arda Festival 2025 on the weekend of May 10-11, 2025. An unmissable event for lovers of good company, genuine local flavors and experiencing a unique evocative atmosphere.

A weekend of authentic pleasures: tastings, meetings, music, culture

In the picturesque setting of the historic center of Castell’Arquato, among ancient cobblestone alleys, towers
crenellations and stately palaces, the festival will offer an opportunity to taste the Monterosso Val d’Arda
DOC, an indigenous white wine produced in the Val d’Arda and neighboring valleys, in its various
versions, noticeably different from winery to winery, characterized by three different types:

• Monterosso Val d’Arda DOC: the classic, still, fresh and light
• Monterosso Val d’Arda DOC Frizzante: lively and spirited version
• Monterosso Val d’Arda DOC Spumante: an original local bubbly

Made from a blend of local grapes including Ortrugo, Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, Moscato Bianco
and Trebbiano Romagnolo, Monterosso has a long history in the area and is
a wine excellence to be discovered.

For two days, along the picturesque barrique street, 30 wineries strictly from the
territory will present their wines, accompanied by food stands with typical
Emilian products, art exhibitions, musical performances and cultural initiatives.

The Arda Valley, a territory to be discovered

The Festival will not only be an opportunity to taste wine, but also to discover the beauty of the
area.

The Val d’Arda is one of the most fascinating areas in the province of Piacenza, characterized by rolling
hills, vineyards and historic villages. Traversed by the stream of the same name, the valley stretches between the
border of the Nure Valley and the foothills of the Apennines, offering a varied landscape rich in
biodiversity.

Favorable climatic conditions and fertile soil make this valley an area of great viticultural vocation, with wine production rooted in medieval history.

In addition to wine, the Arda Valley offers numerous cultural and natural attractions: visitors
can explore the area’s medieval castles, hike scenic trails surrounded by
nature, and discover local culinary excellence at the many agritourisms and restaurants in the
valley.

The village of Castell’Arquato, a treasure to be discovered

Castell’Arquato is an authentic medieval village, situated on a natural terrace overlooking the
Val d’Arda. Food and wine tourists can take the opportunity of the trip to participate in guided tours of the village of Castell’Arquato, with its 14th-century Rocca Viscontea fortress, the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the Palazzo del Podestà, the castles of the Val d’Arda and local farms, surrounded by unspoiled nature.

A program full of events

The 2025 edition of the Festival will be full of new features:

• New dates: for the first time the festival will be held in May instead of April, to enjoy
  the milder temperatures and the hills in full bloom.
• Saturday night dedicated to young people: for the first time this year, Saturday night from 7 p.m. onwards in the Municipal Park with disc jockey Dryads Park musical hangout
• The Monterosso Val d’Arda Festival App to get all the information on venues, locations, wineries and festival information.

Plus, a program of events for all ages

• Focus on sustainability: the festival maintains its recognition as a #Plastic-freER event by the Emilia-Romagna Region, with the use of reusable cups and separate waste collection. And, where possible, the use of electric vehicles.
• Gender equality: special tasting dedicated to women winemakers.
• Guided wine tastings, with a focus on the different types of Monterosso Val d’Arda DOC and pairings with typical local products.
• Meetings with experts in oenology and gastronomy to deepen the knowledge of wine and the territory.
  – Concerts and musical performances, to enliven the evenings of the Festival.
• Art and craft exhibitions to discover the artistic excellence of the area
• A focus on environmental sustainability, with initiatives to reduce the impact of the event, such as the use of reusable cups and recycling collection
• Typical local food products from Piacenza, which can be tasted at stalls or restaurants

A Festival for All

The Monterosso Val d’Arda Festival is an event open to everyone, from wine enthusiasts to the merely curious. It is a festival much loved by young people, women and families. A unique opportunity to experience a weekend of taste, culture and discovery in one of Italy’s most beautiful villages.

The Monterosso Val d’Arda Festival was conceived by volunteers from Castell’Arquato to promote the area’s typical wine. Over the years, the event has also become an opportunity to promote tourism in the Val d’Arda and boost all that Piacenza has to offer.

Program 2025

Saturday, May 10

• 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.: opening of the barrique cellar
• 11 am: official opening with the authorities
• 11 a.m.: opening bubbles of the Arda Valley
• 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.: blind tasting
• 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.: opening of booths and food tastings
• 4 pm: Master Class: Women and Wine between Piacenza and Parma
• 5 p.m.: wine trek (for info iatcastellarquato@gmail.com)
• 7 p.m. – 2 a.m. : Monterosso After Party at Viale delle Rimembranze and Dryad Park

Sunday, May 11

• 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.: opening of the barrique cellar
• 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.: opening of Malvasia di CandiaDay, dedicated to Malvasia di Candia Aromatica
• 10 a.m.: opening bubbles of the Arda Valley
• 11 a.m.: opening stands and food tasting
• 11 a.m.: Master Class: metodo classico piacentino
• 4 pm: Master Class
• 8 pm: Closing of the event

During the event:

• Photo-assays: photo exhibition, tastings with the possibility of a personalized photo
• Painting with wine: exhibition and workshop by artist Maurizia Gentili
• Exhibition for 30 years of Transvisioism at the Podesta Palace

Useful Information:

Information and program updates at www.monterossofestival.it
Admission is free. To participate in the tasting, simply purchase glasses
For inquiries and materials: info@monterossofestival.it