Essence of the South: Calabria’s Wine and Food Biodiversity Captivates Thousands of Visitors
June 17, 2025 (Merano & Cirò, Italy) — A successful debut for Merano WineFestival Calabria – Essenza del Sud: the most glamorous food and wine event in Italy, founded by Helmuth Köcher in 1992, crossed the borders of South Tyrol to make its debut in Calabria. Nearly 3,000 visitors attended the three-day event, held from Saturday, June 7 to Monday, June 9, which saw the towns of Cirò and Cirò Marina at the center of a grand celebration of Calabria and Southern Italy’s top-quality food and wine products.
Saturday, June 7: Opening in Cirò Featuring Southern Italy’s Indigenous Grapes
The inaugural edition of Merano WineFestival Calabria – Essence of the South kicked off on Saturday, June 7 at 6:00 PM in the historic center of Cirò, with a highly attended ribbon-cutting ceremony in the presence of Merano WineFestival’s founder Helmuth Köcher, Calabria’s Regional Minister of Agriculture Gianluca Gallo, Cirò Mayor Mario Sculco, and Cirò Marina Mayor and President of the Province of Crotone Sergio Ferrari. Over 1,200 attendees filled the streets and squares of Cirò’s historic center for a full immersion into Southern Italy’s winemaking world: 3 tasting stations dedicated to Calabria featured white wines, red wines, and various interpretations of Gaglioppo, alongside 5 stations showcasing the finest indigenous varietals of Campania, Sicily, Sardinia, Puglia, and Basilicata. Three food islands, curated by local chefs, told the story of Calabria through its traditional dishes, while open visits to the Luigi Lilio Museum and live music completed the inaugural evening.
Sunday and Monday, June 8-9, at Borgo Saverona: The Winehunter’s Selection of Gastronomic Excellence
On Sunday, June 8 and Monday, June 9, over 150 wine, food, spirits, and beer producers selected by The WineHunter Guide were showcased in the elegant setting of Borgo Saverona in Cirò Marina. Two days of tastings and starred show-cooking sessions were enriched by in-depth explorations of Calabria’s wine biodiversity, drawing over 1,300 participants over two days, including wine lovers, industry professionals, and media. After the ceremonial sabrage with local authorities, Merano WineFestival’s Helmuth Köcher and journalist Andrea Radic, representing The WineHunter Guide’s commissions, announced a preview of Calabria’s award-winning producers for the 2025 edition of the Guide (official release in August), including: 3spirits, Antiche Vigne Pironti, Antichi Vigneti F.lli Sculco, Arcuri Espedito Vincenzo, Az. Agr. Grutteria Niccolò, Az. Agr. Francesca De Leo Alberti, Az. Agr. Granata, Az. Vinicola Ceratti Pasquale, Az. Vinicola Manna, Barone G.R. Macrì, Benvenuto Giovanni Celeste, Birra Cala, Brancati Filippo, Bruni Mario, Cantina Campana, Cantina Malena, Cantina Russo & Longo, Cantine Caccamo, Cantine De Mare, Cantine F.lli Lavorata, Cantine Greco, Cantine Lento, Cantine Piacentini, Caparra & Siciliani, Capoano, Casa Vinicola Criserà, Ceraudo Roberto, Colacino Wines, Dell’Aera Vigneti e Cantina, Farneto Del Principe, Fattoria San Francesco, Fattoria Santa Maria, Ferrocinto, Feudo Della Sagitta, Fezzigna Vignaioli, Ippolito 1845, Kalabria Wines, La Pizzuta Del Principe, Librandi, Mimmo Vinci, Rocco Pirito Vini Cirò, San Vincenzo, Senatore Vini, Sgambelluri – gli Artigiani Del Torrone, Soc. Agricola Zito & F.lli, Spadafora 1915, Statti, Tenuta Del Castello, Tenuta Del Travale, Tenuta Diecimani, Tenuta Iuzzolini, Tenuta Santa Venere – Akra Vini Di Calabria, Tenuta Santoro, Tenuta Sposato, Termine Grosso, Tramontana, Vigneti Ferraro, Vigneti Vumbaca. In the “Chef on the Table” area, dishes from some of Calabria’s most celebrated Michelin-starred chefs were showcased: Luca Abbruzzino (Abbruzzino Oltre), Antonio Biafora (Hyle), Caterina Ceraudo (Dattilo), and Nino Rossi (Qafiz), alongside master pizza makers Daniele Campana (Campana Pizza in Teglia) and Roberto Davanzo (Bob Alchimia a Spicchi).
Talks and Masterclasses: Insights Into the World of Wine
In the Sala Camino, located on the first floor, a series of talks and masterclasses focused on Calabria’s wine biodiversity took place. Among them, a masterclass explored Calabria’s lesser-known varietal wealth and its untapped potential; an exclusive panel discussed the qualitative and institutional growth of Cirò in light of its upcoming elevation to DOCG status; and a high-level scientific talk addressed the genetic protection of Calabria’s indigenous grape varieties, led by Professor Attilio Scienza and Dr. Saveria Sesto. In the relaxed and creative setting of the Social Garden by the pool, several discussions took place featuring local producers, offering both historical and contemporary narratives of the region that intertwined personal stories of winemakers with Calabria’s collective journey towards DOCG recognition. Additional talks included contributions from Simona Geri and Helmuth Köcher on the future of wine, focusing on key challenges such as climate change, evolving consumption patterns, emerging no-low alcohol categories, and the rediscovery of amphora winemaking.
The event was made possible thanks to the partnership between Merano WineFestival and Calabria’s Regional Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with Azienda Regionale per lo Sviluppo dell’Agricoltura Calabrese and Consorzio di Tutela Vini DOC Cirò e Melissa.
