Cantine Aperte 2026

Cantine Aperte — literally "Open Cellars" — is Italy's national open-doors weekend, when over 1,000 wineries across all 20 regions simultaneously invite visitors in for free tastings, vineyard tours, and special events. Organised by the Movimento Turismo del Vino since 1993, it takes place on the last weekend of May and is the single most accessible wine event in Italy.

How It Works

There is no central ticket or venue. Each participating winery independently opens its doors and offers its own programme — some pour free samples at a tasting bar, others run guided vineyard walks, barrel room tours, vertical tastings, or food pairings. The Movimento Turismo del Vino publishes a complete list of participating wineries on its website a few weeks before the event.

The beauty of Cantine Aperte is that it works at any scale. You can visit a single estate in your neighbourhood, or you can plan a multi-day driving tour across a region. In Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto, the density of participating wineries means you can visit five or six in a single afternoon.

Where to Go

Every Italian wine region participates, but the strongest concentrations are in:

Tuscany: Chianti Classico, Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Bolgheri estates. Many of the famous names that are normally appointment-only open their doors for the weekend.

Piedmont: Barolo, Barbaresco, and Langhe estates. The hill towns of Alba, Barolo village, and Neive come alive with tastings and vineyard walks.

Veneto: Valpolicella and Soave producers, many of whom are otherwise difficult to visit without an appointment.

Sicily: An emerging highlight, with estates in Etna, Marsala, and the Ragusa coast opening their doors.

Practical Advice

No advance booking is required for most wineries, but the most famous estates (Antinori, Gaja, Sassicaia) may require pre-registration for special tastings. Check the Movimento Turismo del Vino website for the full list and any booking requirements.

Cantine Aperte falls on a holiday weekend in Italy, so roads in wine country can be busy. Start early and work outward from your base. Bring cash — many smaller estates do not take cards for bottle purchases. A designated driver or organised wine tour is essential if visiting multiple estates.

Insider Tips

The best discoveries at Cantine Aperte are always the small, family-run estates you have never heard of. Skip the famous names (you can visit them any time with an appointment) and focus on the producers who are only accessible during this weekend. Ask the winemaker which vineyard they are most proud of — the conversation that follows is worth more than any guided tour.