Andar per Cantine 2026 in Ischia: 18th edition, dates and how to book
Eighteen editions on, and it's still the best way to understand why the island has been making wine for three thousand years.
This isn't a tasting in a piazza. Andar per Cantine is a visit to Ischia's real wine cellars: the ones terraced on the slopes of Monte Epomeo, reachable only via narrow lanes.
This isn't a tasting in a piazza. Andar per Cantine is a visit to Ischia's real wine cellars: the ones terraced on the slopes of Monte Epomeo, reachable only via narrow lanes, where barrels are carved into the green tuff and vines grow among the dry-stone walls holding up the vineyards. It's a physically demanding and remarkably worthwhile experience: by the end of the day you understand why bottles of Biancolella and Forastera cost what they do.
When it takes place
The 2026 edition, the eighteenth, runs from 18 September onward. The Pro Loco di Panza, which organises the event, lists routes until 27 September, but the Comune di Forio extends the tours into early October, so the window stays open longer than it seems. The routes aren't fixed: the Pro Loco proposes different itineraries each day and the cellars vary depending on the time and availability. That means each day is structured slightly differently from the others, and this is deliberate: you discover the vineyards without knowing exactly which cellar you'll visit.
How it works
Departures are from Piazza San Leonardo in Panza, a hamlet of Forio, at 10:00am and 3:00pm. You can't reach a cellar by car — the roads run out, and from there you walk. The shuttle included in the ticket takes you from the car parks in Panza to the piazza, from where the guide leads the group along the terraced paths. The route includes visits to the cellars, a tasting (one glass per cellar visited, usually 3-4 cellars per round), and a guide who explains the context: how terrace farming works, which vines grow on Ischia's volcanic lava, why Piedirosso is the grape that ends up in the reds.
Booking is mandatory. Spots on each shuttle are limited and sell out early at weekends.
Who it suits, and who it doesn't
The question that really matters: are you willing to walk on unpaved paths in comfortable shoes? If the answer is yes, you're set. The routes don't require trekking experience, but they do require legs. Some climb the vineyards at 70, others can't manage 100 metres in heels, so it really comes down to the individual. Bring water, a hat, something for the sun, and shoes you won't regret during the walk. If you have vertigo or significant mobility issues, mention it when booking: the Pro Loco knows how to arrange alternative routes.
Why September is the right month
September is harvest month, the time when the cellars actually have something to do and talk about, instead of just opening old bottles off a shelf. In September you see the work in progress: the harvest, the transfer between vats, islanders arriving with crates full of grapes.
How to book
Contact the Pro Loco Panza:
Phone: +39 081908436
Mobile: +39 3318095540, +39 3496125250, +39 3385015970
Email: info@prolocopanzaischia.it
The Pro Loco will tell you the exact cost for your chosen date, the meeting times (usually 20 minutes before departure), and whether that date has spots available. If they don't answer on the first attempt, try on a weekday morning: weekends are packed.
Where to stay
The most convenient area is Forio or Panza itself: from there, Piazza San Leonardo is a few unhurried minutes away, meaning you can take your time with a relaxed breakfast before departure and a coffee on the quay after the tour. September is the month when hotels still have availability and rates have dropped a category compared to August: here you'll find the offers with stays in September, updated with the real rate card.
Frequently asked questions
When does Andar per Cantine 2026 start?
The 2026 edition, the eighteenth, starts on 18 September. Routes continue until at least 27 September according to the Pro Loco di Panza, but the Comune di Forio extends the calendar into early October.
Where do the routes depart from?
From Piazza San Leonardo in Panza, a hamlet of Forio, with departures at 10:00am and 3:00pm. The shuttle is included in the ticket and leaves from the car parks in Panza.
What's included in the price?
The shuttle service, the cellar visits, an expert guide and a tasting with one glass per cellar on the route (usually 3-4 cellars).
Do I need to book?
Yes, booking is mandatory. Spots are limited and sell out early at weekends. Contact the Pro Loco Panza at least a week ahead.
Which grape varieties are grown in Ischia?
The main ones are Biancolella, Forastera and Arilla for whites, and Piedirosso for reds. They grow on volcanic soil in terraces held up by dry-stone walls.
