Marsala – From October 2 to 6, Marsala will host the inaugural edition of Insolito Marsala, a festival that blends wine tourism, art, technology, and next-generation hospitality. Insolito Marsala aims to propel Sicily into the future, transforming the region into a stage for innovation, all within a setting steeped in tradition. With educational sessions, tastings, artistic installations, and exclusive dinners, Insolito Marsala offers a cutting-edge cultural laboratory, breaking away from the conventional food and wine festival format.
A Festival That Reinvents the Sicilian Experience
At the heart of Insolito Marsala is a desire to fuse tradition with new technologies, creating a unique experience in a land that has always symbolized hospitality. One of the festival’s highlights is the October 2 launch of Twine, a digital twin project of Palazzo Fici, home to the Marsala Wine Museum. Visitors can use immersive headsets to explore a virtual replica of the courtyard and the Enoteca Strada del Vino di Marsala. This groundbreaking initiative is the first in Italy, bringing Marsala into the metaverse and opening new avenues to experience the region’s story. Attendees can also look forward to cultural insights, such as a conversation with Stefania Auci, author of “The Lions of Sicily,” where she will share untold stories and fascinating details about the Florio family and their connection to Marsala wine.
Innovation and Street Art
Insolito Marsala also stands out for its contemporary art influence. The Marsala Colorata project will transform the city’s streets into an open-air gallery, revitalizing urban spaces and shopfronts with stunning street art installations.
A Journey Through Flavors
Gastronomy will play a central role in the festival. Each evening, Marsala’s wineries and restaurants will offer tastings of local wines paired with prestigious Italian DOP products, such as Culatello di Zibello, Parmigiano Reggiano, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, and Modica Chocolate. These tastings will be limited in number but accessible to all with affordable pricing. Selected restaurants will create a special Insolito menu for the occasion, transforming every bar, shop, and dining space into a unique gastronomic experience. For example, Saline Genna, one of the world’s most sought-after spots for sunset aperitifs, will feature a unique Aperifish Insolito for the five days of the festival, offering innovative culinary options. In four specially selected venues, visitors can enjoy the festival’s official cocktail, part of a range of signature drinks crafted for the event by each location. Evenings will be further enhanced with music, DJ sets, and artistic performances.
Extended Program
Wednesday, October 2
9:00: Festival Inauguration
9:30: Ah, che bell’o cafè! with a surprise guest
10:15: Hotels, Cafés, Restaurants: How the Ho.Re.Ca. Industry is Changing, with Alberto Lupini, Simone Puorto, and Mariagrazia Villa
10:30: Wine Creator, with Adriano Amoretti and Enza Bergantino
11:30: Telling the Story of Wine, with Marco Rossi and Paolo Lottero
15:00: Wine Creator
17:00: Twine Project Presentation, with Giorgio Triani, Giulia Sichel, and Simone Puorto
18:00: Marsala Colorata Project Launch
18:30: Twin Doc – DOC Twins Presentation
20:00: Un Insolito Menù, in participating restaurants
Thursday, October 3
9:30: Ah, che bell’o cafè! with a surprise guest
10:15: Revolutionizing Hospitality, with Jacopo Longhi and Andrea Palmoso
10:30: Wine Creator
11:00: Pioneers of the Future with Henri Roelings, moderated by Simone Puorto
12:00: Technology and Innovation with Michael C. Cohen, moderated by Simone Puorto
15:00: Wine Creator
18:00: Unpublished Stories from the “Florio Saga,” with Stefania Auci
20:00: Un Insolito Menù, in participating restaurants
Friday, October 4
9:30: Ah, che bell’o cafè! with a surprise guest
11:15: Genius Loci, with Filippo Arfini, Filippo Sgroi, Stefano Nincevich, and Mitsuyo Kitamura
11:00: Crowdfunding and Wine, with Jacopo Longhi and Andrea Palmoso
11:45: The Wineries of the Future
17:30: Trapani, Creative City of UNESCO Gastronomy, with Cristiano Casa
17:50: Do You Speak Marsalese?
18:10: Marsala in Literature, with Guido Conti
18:30: Semiotic Tasting Workshop, with Gianfranco Marrone and Alberto Salarelli
20:00: Un Insolito Menù, in participating restaurants
Saturday, October 5
9:30: Ah, che bell’o cafè! with a surprise guest
10:00: Food and Wine Journalism: Web Challenges and AI, with Vito Orlando, Andrea Grignaffini, Manuela Soressi, Carlo Bocchialini, and Giorgio Triani
18:30: SuperDoc Wine Tasting
20:00: Un Insolito Menù, in participating restaurants
Sunday, October 6
9:30: Ah, che bell’o cafè! with a surprise guest
10:20: Twine in Tour: Into the Metaverse, with Giulia Sichel
12:10: Cin Cin Insolito Marsala Closing Toast
20:00: Un Insolito Menù, in participating restaurants
Special Tastings
- Edible Bubbles: Marsala, citrus, or coffee bubbles with food designer Roberta Razzano
- Insolito Aperitifs: Unique aperitifs in stunning locations
- Insolito Mixology: Signature cocktails with a focus on unusual ingredients
- Insolito Sunset Sessions: Evening beach parties with DJ sets
Visual and Artistic Highlights
- Marsala Colorata: Street art curated by Interno Undici
- Twine Project: Explore Marsala’s metaverse with VR
- Wine 3.0: NFT-labeled wine series available for purchase
- Insolito Generative Storytelling: Contribute to a collective narrative
For more information and reservations, visit the official website or follow the festival on social media. Email: [email protected]
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