Vite in Libertà (BG): the independent winemakers' fair returns to the former Sant'Agata prison

The fourth edition returns to fill the spaces of the former prison with wines and genuine foods.

Vite in Libertà is finally back, the fair for independent producers, winemakers and growers, who make quality and respect for the environment their priorities.

After 3 editions from 2017 to 2019, the event, which had suffered a setback due to Covid, finds new momentum and presents a fourth edition which takes place on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 December at ExSA - Ex Carcere di Sant'Agata in Città Alta in Bergamo and offers two days of tastings and discovery of interesting wine-growing realities, as the first step in a series of Bergamo events dedicated to wine and the territory.

With 25 producers present , coming from all over Italy, the return of Vite in Libertà is in style with 7 companies from Lombardy, 4 from Piedmont, 3 from Veneto and Emilia Romagna, 2 from Tuscany and Umbria, 1 from Marche and Calabria . There is also an area dedicated to food with Agri Piccola and Prati Parini , renowned companies in the Bergamo area.

The participating companies constitute a group of independent food and wine producers who have made nature and the environment their strength. The general philosophy is based on careful attention to detail and listening to nature, integrating local traditions with modern approaches. The constant research is the exaltation of the quality of the grapes, and in some cases, agricultural practices such as pruning, mowing and copper and sulfur treatments reflect the companies' commitment to sustainable methods, often still carried out manually.

Some wineries take a clear natural approach, with spontaneous fermentations and careful aging in steel or other materials. The wines that emerge from the vineyards embody peculiarities characterized by freshness and floral notes on the nose. They reflect the typical nature of the vine in harmony with the unique characteristics of the territory, highlighting a viticulture that embraces traditions, maintaining an almost extreme character. For some producers, the winemaking process involves manually harvesting the grapes, crushing and destemming with steel machines and fermentation in vats. Particular attention is paid to red-skinned grapes, subjected to prolonged stirring to oxygenate during fermentation.

Most guest producers are practicing traditional vineyard cultivation, without the use of chemicals, applying a natural or organic approach to wine making. In the cellar, winemaking takes place naturally, using fiberglass and steel barrels, with a moderate use of metabisulphite. The result is a wine that expresses the unique characteristics of the year, conditioned only by nature and the weather.

The event is organized thanks to the contribution of the Maite APS Association , in collaboration with ExSA – Ex Carcere di Sant'Agata and with the support of Arci Bergamo .

Times: Saturday 16th from 2.00pm to 10.00pm, Sunday 17th from 11.00am to 8.00pm

Entrance requires the payment of a fee of 10 euros as a contribution for the tasting, it is possible to purchase the ticket in advance at this link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/biglietti-vite-in-liberta-2023-757838303767?fbclid=IwAR0TmhrfbzAYLsmOY7Ct0YSdeSze3UvIBxGecldff3kMDbd1VGYEqWhtvgE

List of guest producers:

Winemakers

LOMBARDY :

Le Driadi Slow Farm - Palazzago (BG)

Pierangelo Cattaneo - Zandobbio (BG)

Nine moons - Dine Above (BG)

Ronchi di Genestaro - Ambivere (BG)

Colle San Giuseppe - Brescia (BS)

Gemma - San Colombano al Lambro (MI)

The Rocchetta of Mondondone – Mondondone (PV)

PIEDMONT :

Giachino - Montelupo Albese (CN)

The White Fly - Nizza Monferrato (AT)

La Tommasina - Frassinello Monferrato (AL)

Rocco di Carpeneto - Carpeneto (AL)

VENETO :

Siro Merotto - Farra di Soligo (TV)

Insolent wines - Micheletti (VR)

Pezzalunga - Brendola (VI)

EMILIA ROMAGNA :

Longanesi - Bagnacavallo (RA)

Baccagnano - Brisighella (RA)

Pian di Stantino - Tredozio (FC)

TUSCANY :

Sant'Agnese - Piombino (LI)

The Stubborn Wines Challenge - Manciano (GR)

BRANDS :

Tenuta Cà Sciampagne - Urbino (PU)

UMBRIA :

Mr. Kurtz-Corciano (PG)

LumiLuna Casa Vinicola - Mercatello (PG)

CALABRIA :

L'Acino - San Marco Argentano (CS)

Food area

LOMBARDY

Agri Piccola - Telgate (BG)

Prati Parini - Sedrina (BG)

Information: Facebook and IG: viteinliberta