Cupramontana – Wine, History and Festival Culture

Situated more than 500 metres above sea level in the Vallesina, Cupramontana offers spectacular views. The town and its surrounding area have long been associated with winegrowing and wine production. The Sagra dell'Uva, museums connected with Verdicchio, and traces of religious history offer different themes to explore. When planning your trip, you can focus on festival and wine culture, the town's history, or religious sites and their surroundings.

Winegrowing and the Sagra dell'Uva

A DOC recognition decree in 1968 designated Cupramontana and neighbouring municipalities as the historic production area for Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi. Wines from the area may be labelled “classico”. The Sagra dell'Uva began on 23 September 1928 and is considered the oldest grape festival in the Marche and one of the oldest in Italy.

At the Sagra, traditional stalls offer typical local food products and the renowned Verdicchio di Cupramontana. These stalls, known as “capanne”, are decorated with branches and ivy. The traditional programme includes dances such as the Saltarello, folk singing and the Palio della Pigiatura. This grape-stomping competition is contested by representatives of the municipalities in the Verdicchio DOC production area. If you are planning your trip around the Sagra, check the festival dates in advance.

History and museums

After the former Roman centre was abandoned, a new medieval settlement developed in Cupramontana. The MIG – Museo In Grotta is housed in the cellar rooms of the former Monastery of Santa Caterina and focuses primarily on the history and traditions of Verdicchio. The Museo Internazionale dell'Etichetta offers a different focus: its original collection features wine labels from bottles from around the world. Thus, one museum centres on the history and traditions of Verdicchio, while the other showcases an international collection of wine labels.

Visitor information updated in December 2024 states that the Museo Internazionale dell'Etichetta has step-free access and free admission. Contact the museum for opening hours. At the MIG, stairs leading to the upper floor restrict access; access information was updated in August 2024. Contact the museum directly for information about admission costs and opening hours.

Monasteries, caves and countryside

Camaldolese monks lived in caves carved into the local tufa at the Eremo dei Frati Bianchi. The first traces of the hermitage, also known as Eremo delle Grotte, date back to the 11th century. The caves that give the site its name served the monks as places of penance and prayer. The surrounding area includes an old path bordered by a stream, centuries-old trees and the stream's waters; the landscape is particularly peaceful. The caves, monastic history and setting give the site a character distinct from the museums focused on local wine traditions.

The Abbazia del Beato Angelo, formerly called Santa Maria in Serra, is exactly one kilometre from the centre of Cupramontana. Visitor information updated in December 2024 lists several entrances; the abbey is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility and can be visited free of charge. Contact the abbey for opening hours.

Discover more destinations: Pianello Vallesina, Piticchio, Colleaprico, Castelferretti, Torrette, Montoro, Cabernardi, Castelbellino.

For the main travel overview: Ancona.