September marks the beginning of Italy’s most authentic season. As summer crowds disperse and temperatures cool, the country’s wine regions come alive with vendemmia celebrations that offer discerning travelers and tastemakers unprecedented access to local traditions and exceptional experiences.
We’re right on time as Italy’s grape picking season runs from late August through early October, transforming renowned wine regions into hubs of cultural celebration. For travelers seeking honest-to-goodness Italian experiences, this period presents unique opportunities to engage with centuries-old traditions while enjoying the country’s finest food and wine.
The Festa dell’Uva in Impruneta is celebrating its 99th edition in 2025, making it one of Italy’s oldest grape festivals. What makes this special is the competition between the town’s four historic districts – each creates elaborate allegorical floats that are genuinely impressive works of art. It’s a single-day celebration, but packed with wine tastings, traditional foods, and cultural performances right in the main square.
Here’s what sets it apart from typical tourist events: you’ll see as many Italian families as international visitors. Local taverns roll out special autumn menus designed to pair with regional wines, while artisan markets showcase Impruneta’s famous terracotta pottery – this town has been making ceramics since the Renaissance.
This festival is a genuine vendemmia tradition that happens to welcome visitors. You get an unfiltered look at how Tuscan communities actually celebrate the grape season, complete with local families who’ve been attending for generations. Plus, it’s perfectly positioned for a day trip from Florence if you don’t want to commit to a multi-day wine region stay.
The Expo Chianti Classico brings dozens of certified Chianti Classico producers right into Greve’s historic main square. Every wine here carries the Black Rooster designation, so you’re guaranteed authentic Chianti Classico, not generic Tuscan blends.
Here’s how it works: you purchase tasting glasses and vouchers, then sample wines directly from the winemakers themselves. They’ll explain their production methods and walk you through different vintages – it’s essentially like visiting 30+ wineries in one weekend. The four-day event also includes guided tastings with certified sommeliers, art exhibitions in local galleries, and evening concerts.
The real bonus? Cooking demonstrations that show you how traditional Tuscan cuisine pairs with these specific wines. These are serious food and wine education sessions that explain why certain dishes were developed alongside particular Chianti Classico styles. It’s an efficient way to get a complete education in what makes this region special, all while you’re based in one of Tuscany’s most charming medieval towns.
The Douja d’Or Festival represents Italy’s most prestigious wine competition, evaluating hundreds of DOC and DOCG wines from across the country. Wines scoring above 90 points receive the coveted “Oscar of Douja d’Or,” making this a significant industry event. The 10-day festival extends beyond wine competition to include extensive cultural programming. If you’re serious about wine, this is where Italy’s top producers come to prove themselves.
While the competition is the main draw, the real experience happens throughout Asti’s historic center. Professional tastings led by master sommeliers take place in palazzos and medieval squares throughout the city. The festival coincides with white truffle season, allowing restaurants to create special menus featuring both award-winning wines and fresh truffles from nearby Alba.
You won’t want to miss the evening events either. We’re talking classical music performances and art exhibitions that show off Piedmont’s cultural side, not just its wine expertise. It’s the kind of experience that justifies the 10-day commitment.
If you’re coming from Florence, the Festa dell’Uva in Impruneta makes for a perfect day trip – you’ll get that authentic local experience without needing to plan an overnight stay. But for the Expo Chianti Classico, you’ll want to book at least two or three nights in the region. Trust us, you’ll want time to explore those individual wineries between the main festival events.
The Douja d’Or Festival is where you should plan to linger. With ten full days of programming, this gives you the chance to really dive deep into Piedmont’s wine culture. Most of our guests combine this with truffle hunting (it’s peak season) and day trips to nearby Barolo producers – it’s the kind of trip that justifies taking that extra week off.
Plus, September weather is ideal – you’re looking at comfortable 18-25°C (64-77°F) temperatures, perfect for spending the day outdoors at festivals and wandering through vineyards.
Italy’s autumn wine festivals reveal the country’s agricultural soul. Unlike summer’s more tourist-focused activities, these events center on genuine cultural celebration and community pride. Visitors participate alongside local families, sharing meals and stories that you’ll remember forever.
If you’re an avid wine drinker, you’ll have all the access you could ever want. Professional wine experts become more available during festival periods, offering visitors deeper insights into regional history, winemaking techniques, and food traditions. Many establishments use the vendemmia season to showcase special products and preparations unavailable during other periods.
If you’re booking with Lacure, speak with our concierge team about how you can become part of these extraordinary cultural experiences during your stay in Italy. We create opportunities for our guests to step beyond the role of visitor and into the heart of Italian tradition, where authentic connections and unforgettable moments await.
