While Waiting for “Calici di Stelle,” Raise a Glass to Life!

While Waiting for Calici di Stelle, Raise a Glass to Life! — On July 8, at Villa Gianna (Sabaudia, Latina), young people and families will gather at the winery to rediscover wine culture and the value of responsible drinking

On the Circeo coast, an evening event organized by the Movimento Turismo del Vino and the Domenico Cirillo Foundation, in collaboration with Wine in Moderation, to engage the younger generations through sensory games, stargazing, and sharing

A glass shared among parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, to transform an ancient family tradition into a contemporary message of knowledge, responsibility, self-care, and concern for others.

It was created with this goal in mind “Waiting for Calici di Stelle, Toast to Life!”—the initiative promoted by the Movimento Turismo del Vino and the Domenico Cirillo Foundation, in collaboration with Wine in Moderation – Unione Italiana Vini, scheduled for Wednesday, July 8, from 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., at Villa Gianna in Sabaudia, a member winery of the Lazio Wine Tourism Movement, on the picturesque Circeo coast.

An evening of celebration and fellowship designed to introduce young adults to wine in a simple, direct, and engaging way—presenting it not as a means of excess, but as an expression of culture, terroir, conviviality, and moderation.

This event precedes Calici di Stelle, the summer event organized by the Wine Tourism Movement, and chooses the winery as the ideal setting to engage with the younger generation, to listen to their perspectives, and to offer wine education that is more up-to-date, interactive, and attuned to their lifestyles.

The initiative symbolically revives a tradition that has long been part of Italian family life: the moment when a father, mother, or grandparent would offer a young adult their first glass of wine, accompanied by stories and words of wisdom. It was not an invitation to drink, but a passing on of knowledge and responsibility, through which wine entered adult life as an integral part of the table, family culture, and social life.

Today, that gesture is reinterpreted in an inclusive and contemporary way, to foster dialogue between generations and demonstrate that quality wine requires time, curiosity, attention, and moderation.

A day filled with unique events: the evening will begin with a Sunset Welcome, which will kick off the wine-tasting tour inside the winery; there will also be a non-alcoholic bar available throughout the evening. Starting at 8:00 p.m., the event will begin “Vitae”, a program aimed at young people between the ages of 18 and 35, created to explore wine through the lens of the younger generations. A wine tasting will be accompanied by sensory games and interactive quizzes on choosing the right glass and identifying aromatic nuances, to demonstrate that fine wine must be observed, listened to, and savored in order to be understood—through an experience built around discovery, discussion, and participation. The opening will also feature food stands offering local products and traditional dishes, live music throughout the evening, and the screening of a heartfelt video produced by the winery to celebrate the Foundation’s work.

At 9:30 p.m., it will be time for “Generations in the Vineyard,” From walks in the early evening light—during which we’ll discuss the work in the vineyard, the rhythms of nature, and the main stages of winemaking—followed by a guided tasting with various food pairings to help you learn to recognize the aromas, characteristics, and identity of each grape variety. An educational and bonding experience for the whole family, designed to allow older generations to pass on the value of “knowing how to drink,” while younger people share their own relationship with wine and new forms of social interaction. As evening falls, it will be time for the event “Under the Same Sky”: accompanied by an astronomer, guests will be able to observe the stars while learning about the constellations and visible planets, and discovering the fascinating stories and myths surrounding the cosmos, highlighting the connection that has for centuries united the movement of celestial bodies, humankind, and the cycle of nature.

Next up is “Hero of the Night,” One of the most original moments of the evening is dedicated to those who choose not to drink so they can get home safely. The designated driver will receive a special award. “Hero of the Night” and will be celebrated as the group’s true leader. He will not be excluded from the experience, but will be able to enjoy a dedicated culinary journey, accompanied by original non-alcoholic beverages carefully paired with local specialties.

“Hosting this special event means opening the doors of our winery to a new way of experiencing and sharing the story of wine —emphasizes Benedetta Giannini, a fourth-generation member of Cantina Villa Gianna – “For me and my family, it’s important that young people discover this world through an authentic experience centered on people, places, and shared emotions—values that connect us to the Foundation and the Wine Tourism Movement, and that we want to foster through this initiative to cultivate an increasingly informed and mature approach to wine.”

“While Waiting for Calici di Stelle, Raise a Glass to Life!” It is also launching the Wine Passport, a small digital guide accessible simply by scanning a QR code at the entrance, which will accompany guests throughout the experience with interesting facts and tips for an informed tasting. The event will therefore be much more than a tasting: it will be a gathering of generations, a cultural experience, and a celebration that showcases wine as an expression of beauty, terroir, sharing, and responsibility.

Useful Information

• When: July 8, 2026, fromfrom 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
  
• Where: Host winery: Cantina Villa Gianna, Str. Petrimerco, 1, 04010 Latina LT
  
• Reservations: Reservations are required (WhatsApp: +39 366 341 9266 / +39 348 649 4237)

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The Domenico Cirillo Foundation It is dedicated to Domenico Cirillo, who was tragically struck and killed in Naples while crossing the street one Saturday evening by a 19-year-old driver who was speeding at 96 km/h right in the heart of the city. Domenico embodied the positive values of Neapolitan youth: he was a student council representative, played for the Napoli Basket Academy, loved to travel, listen to lots of music, and dance—and his cheerfulness was contagious! The Foundation was founded by the hundreds of young people—Domenico’s friends—who rallied around his family. The Foundation’s mission is to preserve the love, example, and values that Domenico embodied despite his young age, transforming the pain of his passing into a message of hope by supporting community-focused initiatives. Young people are the pillars of the Domenico Cirillo Foundation; they are the ones who promote initiatives of social, cultural, civic, and athletic value.