Citerna

Grape Festival and Palio of the Barrel

Third Sunday of September

The 52nd Grape Festival of Pristino, due to its long tradition of success, has rightly become one of the most important countryside events in Umbria. This year, it is back to the origins. The event will take place in the historic centre of the town, September 16-18. For this occasion, the town’s wine taverns will be open to give visitors the opportunity to taste the typical local products. The Palio of the Barrel, a competition between the four districts of the town, is surely one of the highlights, featuring participants competing in grape crushing and barrel running events. The Palio will be preceded by a historic parade organized with all participants. Grape and wine will thus be the undisputed stars of this event, with a special wine competition dedicated to wines from Umbria. In addition to this, a traditional parade of allegorical wagons will be held along the streets of the town, the most eagerly-awaited event by the local residents. The unique and hilarious Wagon of the Crazies will be paraded out of the competition. All days of the festival will be accompanied by live music performances and food stalls offering the best products and delicacies of the local cuisine, cooked and served by Pristino’s women according to ancient recipes, including the not-to-be-missed Natural Sweet Vin Santo, formerly called “hospitality and friendship” wine, as it was served during important occasions along with the “torcolo” (traditional local cake).