Open Cellars on San Martino 2026: wine has its time to be tasted, experienced, and remembered.

Fireside snacks, creative workshops with autumn leaves and materials, photography exhibitions, seasonal pairings, and sensory games exploring scents, fruits, and spices: so many experiences to immerse yourself in the autumn atmosphere in the cellar and accompany the transition from harvest to new wine.

There's also space for the culture of conscious drinking on Wine in Moderation Day, to rediscover the pleasure of tasting in the spirit of balance and moderation.

The harvest is behind us, the vines are preparing for winter, and in the cellar, the must begins its maturation journey: Cantine Aperte a San Martino is a time of anticipation, of silent transformations, and of listening to the stories each glass brings. From November 1st to 15th, the wineries of the Movimento Turismo del Vino invite you to experience the perfect time for wine, which translates into experiencing the places where it is born, discovering its evolution, and enjoying the pleasure of tasting it slowly, to understand and appreciate all its nuances. The heart of this edition will be the dialogue between the wine being born in the cellar and the time that is already transforming it: the Movimento's producers will accompany visitors in discovering new wines and previous vintages with journeys from must to bottle, tastings dedicated to the different stages of wine development, to accompany the transition from harvest to the new vintage.

“ With this edition of Cantine Aperte a San Martino we want to tell the value of time - says Violante Gardini Cinelli Colombini, president of MTV - The time that transforms grapes into must and must into a new vintage, the time that ages a bottle, and the time a producer dedicates to his land. Wineries can be true gateways to territories, capable of connecting wine with oil, local cuisine, craftsmanship, and the stories of the communities that preserve them. San Martino is an opportunity for wineries to showcase themselves in a different way, but also for visitors to discover something they wouldn't be able to experience at other times of the year. Recent wine tourism data confirms the growing desire to experience the winery year-round: we at MTV want to respond to this need with experiences that focus not only on the wine but also on the people and territories that shape its identity. This is the value of seasonality: not offering the same experience year-round, but giving each season the opportunity to showcase a different part of the territory.

The 2025–2026 National Survey, conducted by Movimento Turismo del Vino in collaboration with CESEO–LUMSA University and presented at Vinitaly 2026, also testifies to the vitality of wine tourism: nearly 60% of MTV wineries recorded an increase in visitors, and for approximately 30% of the companies, foreigners accounted for more than half of the visitors. These numbers reflect a growing sector, but also the strong potential of wineries as gateways to local knowledge. This trend is also reflected in the most recent tourism research: according to the Mirabilia 2026 Report by ISNART–Unioncamere, one in three tourists seeks experiences related to cuisine and artisanal traditions, while a Mastercard study, published in 2026, shows that 54% of Italians consider a trip more meaningful when it allows them to learn something new.

In this scenario, November offers a special opportunity for both wineries and visitors. For wineries, it's a time to share aspects of their identity and local culture that risk being overlooked during peak periods. For travelers, it's a chance to delve deeper into local life, meet locals, and discover traditions tied to this time of year.

Once the grape harvest is complete, wine becomes the common thread throughout a broader heritage of food and wine culture: from new olive oil to truffles, from chestnuts to traditional recipes, and even the customs associated with the end of the harvest and the arrival of the new wine. This connection to the local area characterizes many of the experiences offered by the wineries affiliated with the Movimento Turismo del Vino (Wine Tourism Movement), where tastings become the starting point for learning about the landscapes, production, and people, as well as the traditions associated with this season, such as the feast of Saint Martin, the patron saint of winemakers. November 11th historically coincides with the drawing off of the new must and the celebration where every must becomes wine. This occasion will be an opportunity to engage adults and children alike in discovering the vine's cycle through the seasons and the legends associated with Saint Martin, with stories and walks through the vineyards.

But the right time is also time spent together in the cozy and warm atmosphere that only autumn can offer, with snacks by the fireplace, leaf picking, treasure hunts, games to recognize wine aromas, and creative workshops to create handmade items. And more: lunches and dinners with seasonal menus, pizza nights, walks through the vineyards, walking tours of the lagoon landscapes, photography exhibitions, cultural and artistic tours, visits to the aging caves and distilleries with tastings of grappa, brandy, and spirits produced by the wineries.

Cantine Aperte a San Martino also interprets the value of slow tourism: taking the time to get to know a place through its producers and custodians, letting yourself be guided by the rhythm of the seasons. November, therefore, doesn't offer an "off-season" version of the winery experience, but rather a different way of experiencing it, more intimate and connected to autumn traditions. connected to autumn traditions. The event also represents the perfect opportunity to highlight the importance of mindful drinking: November 8th coincides with Wine in Moderation Day, the international day dedicated to moderate consumption. The message, " The best wine? The one you can remember," emphasizes the value of the tasting experience, which is measured by the time, attention, and curiosity dedicated to what you taste, to recognize all its characteristics and preserve its memory. All this through olfactory games, awareness-raising meetings, quizzes on responsible tasting, and opportunities for discussion with producers to connect with new generations using a contemporary language.

PROGRAMS - BEING UPDATED

Abruzzo: Discover all the programs here. Campania: Three wineries in the region are ready to welcome visitors with tastings of must and new wine, walks and chestnut picking, traditional snacks, guided winery tours to discover winemaking methods, convivial lunches and dinners with menus suitable for children, and autumn festivals with music and local products. Visit all the activities here. Emilia Romagna: Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th, Cantina Paltrinieri opens the doors of its cellar.

Friuli Venezia Giulia: On Saturday, November 7th and Sunday, November 8th, 50 of the region's wineries will open their doors to share autumn in the cellar, enjoying local wines, flavors, and traditions. Lunches and dinners with winemakers, sensory workshops, and pairings featuring the region's finest products are available. Discover all the activities here .

Piedmont: 6 wineries in the region Ready to experience autumn amid the scents of must, tastings of organic vegan wines, walks through the vineyards, pairings with typical local products, visits to the aging caves with explanations of the wine production and aging stages, lunches and dinners with seasonal menus, cultural and artistic tours, and tastings at the distillery of grappa, brandy, and liqueurs produced by the companies. Discover the programs here .

Umbria: 11 wineries organize food and wine pairing evenings, autumn lunches featuring seasonal produce, pizza nights, cellar snacks with chestnuts and new wine, winery tours followed by vertical tastings and tastings of various vintages, concerts and live music, as well as conferences on agriculture, landscape, and cultural heritage with local producers. Visit all the programs here.

Veneto: Six wineries in the region are opening their doors to guests, offering guided tours of the vineyards and cellars to discover the traditions of the region's great appellations. Guided tastings paired with local products, extra virgin olive oil, and homemade desserts are also available. Light lunches, treks through historic vineyards, and tastings of specific grape varieties and vintages are also available. Plus: lunches and dinners with seasonal menus and sharing cicchetti, nature photography exhibitions, walking tours through the lagoon landscapes, and many other initiatives to discover.