Ajò a Ippuntare in Usini: The Festival of New Wine Amidst Ancient Cellars and Glasses of Cagnulari
If you love wine and authentic traditions, there is a ritual in Sardinia that has been handed down for generations and today has turned into one of the most anticipated community festivals of the winter.
We are talking about "Ajò a Ippuntare" in the nearby village of Usini, now in its 24th edition. The term ippuntare literally means to "tap" the barrel: an ancient farming ritual that celebrated the end of the harvest with the first taste of the new wine. Today, this intimate gesture has become a grand event that opens the doors of historic cellars to visitors, offering an experience that warms the heart (and the palate) just when the winter temperatures in the hills become crisper.
📅 2026 Dates and Program
The event is traditionally held in December. Although the detailed official program for 2026 has not yet been published with all the definitive times, the main event takes place as usual on the second Sunday of December, which is December 13, 2026. Anticipating the great evening, a series of cultural events and workshops are scheduled for the days immediately preceding it.
Event details at a glance:
- Main Date: December 13, 2026.
- Approximate Time: From 4:00 PM until midnight.
- Location: Historic center and traditional tuff cellars of Usini (Sassari).
- Activities: Itinerant tasting of new wine and typical products.
🍇 The Temples of Wine: Cagnulari and Tuff Cellars
Usini is a land blessed with winemaking fortune. By participating in the event, you will purchase the "tasting kit" (a comfortable glass with a neck pouch) which acts as a passport for an underground journey.
The itinerary winds through the heart of the historic center, allowing tourists to descend into dozens of fascinating underground cellars dug directly into the tuff rock. In addition to family-run micro-cellars, Usini is the cradle of internationally renowned wineries such as Cantina Cherchi and Cantina Carpante.
What will they pour into your glass to warm your soul? Two masterpieces of the Coros territory:
- Cagnulari: A native red grape variety that was almost extinct. Saved and enhanced by the winemakers of Usini, today it releases a deep ruby color, spicy notes, and intoxicating scents of Mediterranean scrub.
- Vermentino di Usini: The calcareous soils of this area give this white grape a distinct minerality, great freshness, and unmistakable floral scents.
🎶 Culture, Poetry, and Local Street Food
Strolling through the cobblestones of the village, the cold winter air is swept away by human warmth, excellent wine, and the polyphonic chants of the famous Coro di Usini and other itinerant folk choirs.
To frame the event, there are evocative parades of figures in precious traditional dresses and the literary review "Poesie da bere" (Poems to Drink).
And to satisfy your hunger? The streets fill with the aromas and smoke of lit grills: you can accompany your glasses with purpuzza sandwiches (very tasty spiced pork), roast suckling pig, and delicious culurgiones prepared on the spot.
🛑 Logistical Tips (How to experience the event stress-free)
Our "Local" tip:
- Arrive Early: Reach Usini around 4:00 PM to easily find parking and pick up the tasting kit without waiting in line.
- Dress Warmly: The wine of Usini will warm you up, but winter evenings in the hills are definitely crisp (don't forget comfortable shoes for the stone alleys).
- The Perfect Base Camp: After drinking and celebrating until midnight, driving long distances in the cold or winter fog is dangerous and not recommended. By staying at Villa Malvasio, you will be a very short distance from Usini. You can enjoy the party, return comfortably, and park safely in our private garden, only to wake up in the absolute silence of your Suite.
👉 If the magic of wine and festive villages fascinates you, Sardinia has a very rich calendar in store for you. Find out more by reading our guide dedicated to the Food and Wine Festivals in North Sardinia.
