VERNACCIA DI SAN GIMIGNANO WINE FEST RETURNS TO THE REBEL QUEEN ON MAY 30TH AND 31ST

The fourth edition of the Regina Ribelle Vernaccia di San Gimignano Wine Fest is just a few days away. On May 30 and 31, 2026, the Siena town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, will once again open its medieval squares to wine, culture, and the public for the annual event organized by the Vernaccia di San Gimignano Wine Consortium in partnership with the Municipality of San Gimignano.

This year, the anticipation is even more intense than usual. 2026 is a historic year for the denomination : it marks the 750th anniversary of the first documented mention of Vernaccia di San Gimignano and the 60th anniversary of its DOC recognition , the first in Italy in 1966. A double anniversary that the Consortium has chosen to honor with its most comprehensive program ever.

Piazza della Cisterna and Piazza del Duomo host tastings with Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG producers: two days to meet winemakers, taste vintages, and understand the region.

At the Loggia del Teatro dei Leggieri, a calendar of events organized by Assoenologi Sezione Toscana explores the grape variety in all its facets: from its evolution over time to vintage stories, up to two sessions on Vernaccia di San Gimignano led by Valentino Tesi , Best Sommelier of Italy 2019 , and Luca Marchiani , Best Sommelier AIS Tuscany 2025 .

At the Loggia of the Town Hall, Giuseppe Carrus , journalist and Gambero Rosso taster , hosts the Salottino Ribelle , a space for discussion on wine, food, and wine tourism. Sunday concludes with the finale and the award ceremony for the Best Sommelier of Tuscany 2026 , in collaboration with AIS Toscana.

Throughout the weekend, the squares of the historic center will host installations by sculptor Stefano Bombardieri, in collaboration with isculpture Art Gallery : three site-specific works located in Piazza Duomo, Piazza della Cisterna, and the Rocca di Montestaffoli. Piazza Pecori will feature a children's area with games and activities. On Saturday evening, the Cassero della Rocca di Montestaffoli will be lit up with a DJ set featuring Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG and special drinks by "Il Gingegneria."

" Seven hundred and fifty years of history are not celebrated just with a toast. They are celebrated by opening the doors, bringing Vernaccia di San Gimignano into the square among the people, letting them taste it, talk about it, creating a culture of the territory. Regina Ribelle is exactly this ," comments the President of the Consortium, Manrico Biagini .

This year's public event will also be preceded by two days reserved for Italian and international trade press — May 28th and 29th —with the presentation of the new Vernaccia di San Gimignano vintages, conferences, and press tours of local wineries.

This is the program in detail :

Saturday, May 30th

11:00-19:00 Tasting stands in the historic center of San Gimignano Meetings with the producers of Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG Piazza della Cisterna and Piazza del Duomo

12:00 - 18:00 Salottino Ribelle Interviews and discussions on the topics of wine, food, and wine tourism. Hosted by Giuseppe Carrus, Gambero Rosso Journalist, Loggia del Comune.

12:00-13:00 Masterclass: “Yesterday, today and tomorrow: Vernaccia di San Gimignano over time From freshness to evolution” Conducted by: Prof. Valentina Canuti representing Assoenologi Tuscany Section Loggia del Teatro dei Leggieri

3:00-4:00 PM Masterclass: “Vernaccia di San Gimignano tells its story: vintage stories” Hosted by: Sergio Puccioni - Winemaker representing Assoenologi Tuscany Section Loggia del Teatro dei Leggieri

5:00-6:00 PM Masterclass: "Kiss, Lick, Bite, Punch, and Punch. Vernaccia di San Gimignano: History and Character." Presented by: Dr. Alessandra Ticci, representing Assoenologi, Tuscany Section, Loggia del Teatro dei Leggieri.

11:00 - 18:00 FOR CHILDREN Space dedicated to children with games and fun Piazza Pecori

9:30 PM - 12:00 AM DJ set , music, food, tasting of Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG, and specialty drinks by "Il Gingegneria." Keep of the Montestaffoli Fortress

Sunday, May 31st

11:00-18:00 Tasting stands in the historic center of San Gimignano Meetings with the producers of Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG Piazza della Cisterna and Piazza del Duomo

10:00 - 11:30 AIS exam tests for "Best Sommelier of Tuscany 2026" Access reserved for participants registered for the exam at "La Vernaccia di San Gimignano Wine Experience" Rocca di Montestaffoli

12:00 - 13:00 Masterclass: “Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2025: the premises of an excellent vintage” Hosted by: Luca Marchiani - Best Sommelier AIS Tuscany 2025 Loggia del Teatro dei Leggieri

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Masterclass: “Interpretations of Vernaccia di San Gimignano Riserva” Presented by: Valentino Tesi - Best AIS Sommelier of Italy 2019 and Luca Marchiani - Best AIS Sommelier Tuscany 2025 Loggia del Teatro dei Leggieri

5:00 PM Final “Best Sommelier of Tuscany 2026” Conclusion of the AIS Tasting exam Loggia del Teatro dei Leggieri

5:30 PM AIS "Best Sommelier of Tuscany 2026" Award Ceremony and closing of the event; Awards Ceremony; Institutional Greetings from the Loggia del Teatro dei Leggieri

11:00 - 18:00 FOR CHILDREN Space dedicated to children with games and fun Piazza Pecori

6:00 PM Closing of the event Regina Ribelle Wine Fest 2026 ends at 6:00 PM Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Cisterna

During the Festival, works by the artist Stefano Bombardieri will be exhibited, in collaboration with isculpture Art Gallery: The Weight of Suspended Time in Piazza Duomo, Homage to Colbert in Piazza della Cisterna, Elia and the Elephant at the Rocca di Montestaffoli.