Regional Institute of Wine and Oil

"Autumn in the Cellar" 2025 was a resounding success: IRVO concludes its journey through wine, art, and Sicilian identity.

Eight stages to promote the European Region of Gastronomy: a festival that unites territories, culture, and communities in the name of Sicilian wine excellence.

The 2025 edition of “Autumn in the Cellar”, the project promoted by theRegional Institute of Wine and Oil (IRVO) From October 25th to November 16th, eight Sicilian wineries were transformed into places of encounter, culture, and discovery, as part of the promotion of wine tourism and its deseasonalization, in line with Sicily's recognition as the European Region of Gastronomy 2025.
A slow, engaging journey that traversed the island from Trecastagni to Camporeale, passing through Oliveri, Marsala, Menfi, Piazza Armerina, and Castiglione di Sicilia, to express, through wine, the strength of a region that never ceases to excite.

The cellars, open to the public for an entire month, were transformed into veritable sensory theaters where guided tastings, cooking demonstrations, and live performances brought to life a collective narrative that intertwines art, landscape, and identity.

The extraordinary commissioner of IRVO, Giusi Mistretta, emphasized the institutional and symbolic value of the project: "'Autunno in Cantina' represents a precious opportunity to celebrate the winemaking identity of our region, allowing the public to experience the authentic soul of Sicilian wineries. As IRVO, we wholeheartedly support these initiatives that connect producers, regions, and consumers, fostering a wine culture based on quality, traceability, and sustainability. Direct contact with wineries is not only a promotional opportunity, but also an educational one, strengthening the bond between local communities and the winemaking industry, highlighting the hard work, passion, and tradition that make our wines unique."

From the slopes of Etna, where Cantine Nicosia in Trecastagni inaugurated the journey through the volcano's mineral aromas, to the Tyrrhenian coast with Gaglio dei Vignaioli di Oliveri and the Enna hills of Tenute Gigliotto in Piazza Armerina, each stop on Autunno in Cantina tour revealed a different side of Sicilian wine. The journey then continued through the historic Caruso & Minini and the iconic Cantine Pellegrino in Marsala, where tradition intertwines with contemporary winemaking research, to the vineyards of Mandrarossa Winery in Menfi, a symbol of innovative and sustainable agriculture. To conclude the journey, Alessandro di Camporeale offered visitors an experience dedicated to the organic wines and ethical viticulture of the Palermo hills, while Cantine Tornatore in Castiglione di Sicilia celebrated the power of the Etna terroir.

Each stop, with its own identity, represented a unique experience, rooted in authentic flavors and the intersection of community, culture, and territory. This format successfully brought together the public, local producers, and chefs, all engaged in a shared journey of understanding and promoting Sicily's winemaking heritage.

The director of IRVO, Vito Bentivegna, highlighted the project's strategic objective: "It's a formula that has allowed even non-experts to explore the world of fine drinking, understood as drinking responsibly, prioritizing quality over quantity. It has allowed many Sicilians, as well as tourists, to experience the island's regions and production areas, to spend pleasant hours enjoying unique shows that blend culture and tradition, and to savor typical Sicilian cuisine. This event fits perfectly with the promotional strategy undertaken and strengthened by the Institute, especially in recent times."

The success of each event confirms the effectiveness of a model that focuses on the deseasonalization of wine tourism and the promotion of smaller regions, where rural culture and contemporary creativity interact harmoniously. Each event has been designed as a collaborative experience, where wine is told not only through tasting but also through the thrill of theater and music.
An event within an event, “Cunto Culinario: Saporito” was the narrative thread that ran through all the stages of the festival, transforming the cellars into veritable stages of emotion.

Conceived and directed by Orlando Biglieri and starring actor Paride Benassai, the show combined theater, music, dance, and tasting, taking the audience on a multisensory journey. "We imagined a festival that would be a journey into the heart of Sicily and its people," Orlando Biglieri emphasized. "Each stop was a human and sensorial encounter, where wine became a language, a symbol of belonging, and a tool for dialogue. The thrill of seeing the audience participate, share, and identify with these places is the most beautiful testament to a project that will continue to grow."

The final results mark a significant achievement for IRVO, which once again confirms its role as a point of reference for promoting Sicilian food and wine and for building networks between businesses, institutions, and the local community.

“Autumn in the Cellar” offered a vibrant and contemporary vision of Sicily's wine scene: a land capable of blending tradition and innovation, flavors and culture, memory and vision.