September in Ischia: wine and food at their best!

Wine tasting, ancient cellars and Michelin-starred dinners in the heart of Ischia

Are you a wine lover? Have you ever dreamed of visiting ancient, picturesque wine cellars carved into the rock? Would you like to taste a fine-dining menu created by some of the best chefs in Italy, in front of the sea? In September, Ischia makes all this possible. “Andar per cantine” and “Ischia Safari” are the main events that celebrate the traditions and soul of the Green Island.

Our wine culture dates back to ancient times. The Romans used to call Ischia “Enaria”, the “land of wine”. Today, this winemaking heritage delights wine lovers and travellers and helps protect our cultural traditions, typical products and landscape. Andar per cantine, literally “going from cellar to cellar”, celebrates the vineyards of Ischia and lets visitors discover the island through its food and wine.

And where there is wine, there is food. Ischia’s culinary tradition is so rich that every palate finds something to love. One event brings together the very best of Italian cuisine in a single, unique location: Ischia Safari, hosted inside Negombo Thermal Park, with chefs, pizza makers, pastry chefs and producers from all over Italy.

Let’s take a closer look at both events.

Andar per cantine

Wine tasting and vineyard tours in Ischia

Andar per cantine is a ten-day festival dedicated entirely to wine. Ten different itineraries lead you through ancient wine cellars, lush vineyards and some of the most iconic wine labels of Ischia. Along the way you’ll discover scenic spots such as Sorgeto Bay, Mount Epomeo and traditional family-run wineries, while typical restaurants welcome you with authentic local dinners.

Among the many activities, you can find:

• “Cantinando sotto le stelle” (September 12, 14 and 19): a magical night tour of vineyards and cellars under the stars. The excursion starts from Piazza San Leonardo in Panza and leads you to some of the most evocative wineries on the island.
• “Cento cantine in mezzo al mare” (September 20, Piromallo Estate in Panza): an event where the town of Panza rewards those who work every day to preserve agriculture and viticulture in Ischia.
• Bike tours to the wineries: themed itineraries by bike, combining wine tasting with panoramic routes and a different perspective on the island.

Itineraries must be booked in advance through Pro Loco Panza, the Info Point in Forio or Alilauro in Ischia Porto.

When: usually from September 10th to 20th.

Where: the main centre is Panza, but the routes touch many different locations across the island.

More information: www.prolocopanzaischia.it/eventi/andar-per-cantine

Ischia Safari

Taste the flavours of Michelin-starred chefs

Every year, the cultural association “Ischia Saperi e Sapori” organizes Ischia Safari to promote Italian food and wine culture and connect chefs, producers and food lovers. The event celebrates the best ingredients and recipes from all over Italy, with special attention to quality, seasonality and creativity in the kitchen.

Here are some of our friends and partners you can meet during the event:

Healthy habits, light preparations, genuine flavours and simple ingredients are always at the centre of the festival. Over two days, some of the best chefs, pizza makers and pastry chefs in Italy meet in Ischia to cook live, share their stories and offer guests a unique tasting experience.

Among the unmissable events of Ischia Safari you will usually find:

• TrentoDoc wine tasting (Hotel Regina Isabella): a guided tasting of TrentoDoc sparkling wines with a professional sommelier. Limited seats, perfect for wine enthusiasts and curious beginners alike.
• Party at Negombo (Negombo Thermal Park, San Montano): more than 70 chefs, pizza makers and pastry chefs create their signature bites in the unique setting of Negombo, surrounded by gardens, pools and the bay of San Montano.
• Gala Dinner (Hotel Regina Isabella): an exclusive dinner at the Indaco Restaurant with a special menu signed by Michelin-starred chefs. Each edition supports a charitable or educational project, so your evening by the sea also contributes to a good cause.

When: usually on two evenings in mid-September.

Where: Negombo Thermal Park and Hotel Regina Isabella, Lacco Ameno (Ischia).

More information: www.ischiasafari.it