“Calici di Stelle” celebrates 25 years in Montepulciano: a quarter of a century of wine, territory and emotions under the sky of San Lorenzo.
On 10 August, one of the most iconic events in Italian wine tourism returns. To celebrate its anniversary, the Strada del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano e dei Sapori della Valdichiana Senese will donate 25 trees to the city, present a limited-edition commemorative wine glass and offer the official glass to all 25-year-olds.
Twenty-five years have passed since the first toast under the sky of San Lorenzo. Since then, “Calici di Stelle” in Montepulciano has become one of the most recognisable events of the Italian summer, transforming the historic centre of Montepulciano into a unique journey through wine, culture, music, traditions and landscapes. An important milestone that will be celebrated on Monday 10 August with a special 25th edition, organised by the Strada del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano e dei Sapori della Valdichiana Senese together with the Municipality of Montepulciano, as part of the national calendar of the Movimento Turismo del Vino.
To mark the anniversary, the organisers have chosen to leave a tangible sign in the local area. The Strada will donate 25 trees to the Municipality of Montepulciano, which will be planted across the territory. A concrete gesture to give something back to the community that has welcomed the event for twenty-five years and to further strengthen the bond between “Calici di Stelle” and Montepulciano. The initiative will be accompanied by a special installation in Piazza Grande, featuring a symbolic tree.
The anniversary will also be celebrated with a special limited-edition wine glass, created exclusively for the occasion and available only in Piazza Grande, alongside the traditional event glass. Furthermore, all young people who turn 25 years old in 2026 will receive the official “Calici di Stelle” glass free of charge, symbolically sharing this important birthday with the event.
Regarding this important milestone, the President of the Strada, Doriano Bui, states:
“Calici di Stelle in Montepulciano is the most important event in our calendar. It is now a well-established evening, yet it continues to be a challenge, because every year, for 25 years, there has been the desire to improve and renew it, in order to maintain its success. What has never changed is the community spirit at the heart of the event, which today, as in the past, brings together the territory, producers and the local community.”
Michele Angiolini, Mayor of the Municipality of Montepulciano, also comments:
“Twenty-five years of ‘Calici di Stelle’ are a milestone that fills us with pride. Year after year, this event has succeeded in telling the most authentic identity of Montepulciano: its wine, landscape and hospitality. The donation of the 25 trees to the city is a gesture that is particularly meaningful to us, because it connects the symbolic value of this anniversary with a concrete commitment to the future of our territory. I thank the Strada del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano e dei Sapori della Valdichiana Senese and all the organisations that every year make this evening possible, an event that remains one of the most anticipated highlights of the Poliziana summer.”
For this edition too, “Calici di Stelle” confirms the format that has made it a successful event over the years.
The day will begin at 5.00 pm with a special tour of Montepulciano’s historic wine cellars. At 6.00 pm, the traditional parade of the Flag Throwers and Drummers of the Bravìo delle Botti will cross the historic centre towards Piazza Grande, officially opening the event. Starting from 6.00 pm, the market dedicated to Valdichiana craftsmanship will also open under the Loggiato di Piazza delle Erbe.
From 6.30 pm, the itinerant tastings, the heart of the event, will begin. With the traditional “Coupon Stella”, available for purchase exclusively during the evening, visitors will have the opportunity to taste Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG and Rosso di Montepulciano DOC at different locations: the churchyard of Sant’Agostino, the eight Bravìo delle Botti Contrade, and Piazza Grande. At this final location, there will also be a cocktail area curated by 43° Parallelo Montepulciano, featuring a special drink made with Rosso di Montepulciano DOC.
The guided tastings will return as well, scheduled at 7.00 pm and 9.30 pm in two exclusive locations of the city: the Terrazza di Vicolo del Leone and the Loggiato della Canonica di San Biagio. Producers will present three labels of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, paired with local flavours and accompanied by live music. The tastings will be led by the sommeliers of the Fisar Valdichiana Delegation and can be booked on the event website at a cost of €25 per person.
Throughout the evening, it will also be possible to dine in the eight Contrade of the Bravìo delle Botti, tasting Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG and Rosso di Montepulciano DOC paired with traditional local dishes, and experiencing one of the most authentic aspects of the event.
There will also be special activities dedicated to families at the Fortezza Gardens, while music will accompany visitors until late evening at the Church of Sant’Agostino’s churchyard and in Piazza Grande.
This 25th edition is made possible thanks to a well-established network of local collaborations. Institutional partners include Vetrina Toscana, the project of the Tuscany Region in collaboration with Unioncamere Toscana, promoting food and wine tourism, with the coordination of Toscana Promozione Turistica supported by Fondazione Sistema Toscana; the Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano; the Consorzio del Vitellone Bianco dell’Appennino Centrale IGP; the Fisar Valdichiana Delegation; the Magistrato delle Contrade and the eight Contrade of the Bravìo delle Botti of Montepulciano; the Parishes of Montepulciano; the Fondazione Cantiere Internazionale d’Arte; Bruscello Poliziano; the Istituto Pellegrino Artusi and Sugherovivo, which will once again promote the collection of cork stoppers dedicated to solidarity and sustainability projects.
Safety during the evening will be ensured by the Misericordia di Montepulciano, the Associazione Vigilanza Civile Ambientale and the Italian Red Cross.
The event is also supported by AssiCoop Toscana Spa, Banca TEMA, Conad Montepulciano, ESTRA, Farmacia di Valiano (APSP Istituto Maria Redditi), Rubeca Motori, Tigotà and Vini di Toscana.
