Showing posts with label calendar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label calendar. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Wine Series: Vini della Sicilia August 21st

 


Discover the Wines of Sicily Without Leaving San Diego

By Chris M. Forte

If you've ever dreamed of sipping wine beneath the vineyards of Mount Etna, wandering the medieval streets of Taormina, or watching the sun set over the Mediterranean with a glass of Nero d'Avola in hand, here's your chance to experience a taste of Sicily—without leaving San Diego.

This August, Scappare Travel Club, in partnership with Davigna Wines and Trattoria da Sofia, invites wine lovers and Italophiles alike on a delicious journey through one of Italy's most fascinating regions.

Their Wine Series: Vini della Sicilia offers far more than a traditional wine tasting. Think of it as a passport to Sicily—one glass at a time.

Italy's Largest Island, One Glass at a Time

Sicily has been producing wine for nearly 3,000 years.

Thanks to its volcanic soil, Mediterranean sunshine, coastal breezes, and diverse landscape, the island has become one of Italy's premier wine-producing regions. Ancient Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and Spaniards all left their mark on Sicilian culture, cuisine, and winemaking, creating a rich tradition unlike anywhere else in Italy.

Today, Sicily is known for both bold reds and crisp whites, including world-famous varieties such as:

  • Nero d'Avola
  • Grillo
  • Carricante
  • Frappato
  • Catarratto
  • Etna Rosso

Whether you're already a wine enthusiast or simply curious about Italian culture, this event offers an enjoyable introduction to one of Italy's most exciting wine regions.

Your Passport Includes

Guests will enjoy an evening featuring:

  • 🍷 Five hand-selected Sicilian wine tastings
  • 🇮🇹 A guided presentation on Sicily and its winemaking traditions
  • 🧀 Curated charcuterie board
  • 🍝 A delicious entrée with artisan bread
  • 🍇 Conversation with fellow lovers of Italy, food, and wine

The wines will be presented by Davide of Davigna Wines, who will guide guests through the unique flavors, history, and terroir that make Sicilian wines so distinctive.

More Than a Wine Tasting

What makes events like this special is that they aren't simply about drinking wine.

They're about traveling through culture.

Every bottle tells a story—of volcanic vineyards on the slopes of Mount Etna, centuries-old family wineries, seaside fishing villages, ancient Greek temples, bustling Palermo markets, and generations of Sicilian families who have cultivated grapes under the Mediterranean sun.

For a few hours, San Diego becomes a little corner of Sicily.

Event Information

Vini della Sicilia – Italian Regional Wine Series

Friday, August 21

Hosted by:

  • Scappare Travel Club
  • Davigna Wines
  • Trattoria da Sofia

Your Reservation Includes

  • Five Sicilian wine tastings
  • Guided regional presentation
  • Charcuterie board
  • Entrée
  • Artisan bread

⚠️ Reservations are required.

There will be no tickets available at the door, and seating is limited.

RSVP by August 15 to reserve your place.

Supporting the Community

One of the nicest aspects of this event is that your evening does more than introduce you to exceptional Italian wines.

Proceeds help support the nonprofit programs and community events organized by Scappare Travel Club, helping promote Italian culture, travel, education, and fellowship here in Southern California.

A Taste of Sicily Close to Home

One of the missions of The Italian Californian is showing readers that you don't always have to board a plane to experience Italy.

Sometimes Italy comes to you.

Whether you're planning your first trip to Sicily, reminiscing about a past visit, or simply looking for a memorable evening of excellent food, wine, and conversation, Vini della Sicilia promises to be a delightful celebration of one of Italy's most remarkable regions.

Raise a glass, discover something new, and toast to la dolce vita—Sicilian style.

Salute! 🇮🇹🍷

Event Information

Vini della Sicilia – Italian Regional Wine Series

Friday, August 21

This special evening is presented by:

  • Scappare Travel Club
  • The Convivio Society
  • Davide of Davigna Wines
  • Trattoria da Sofia

Your Passport to Sicily Includes

  • 🍷 Five hand-selected tastings of exceptional Sicilian wines
  • 🇮🇹 A guided presentation exploring Sicily, its history, and its renowned winemaking traditions
  • 🧀 A curated charcuterie board
  • 🍝 A delicious entrée with artisan bread
  • 🍇 An evening of fellowship with fellow lovers of Italian food, wine, and culture

⚠️ Reservations are required.

There will be no tickets available at the door, and seating is limited.

Please RSVP by August 15 to reserve your place. TICKETS: https://convivio.fillout.com/wineseries2

Supporting Italian Culture in San Diego

The evening is more than just a wine tasting—it is also a fundraiser benefiting The Convivio Society, whose mission is to preserve, promote, and celebrate Italian heritage in San Diego through educational, cultural, and community programs. Alongside Scappare Travel Club, Davigna Wines, and Trattoria da Sofia, the event brings together local organizations passionate about sharing the best of Italy with Southern California.

By attending, guests not only enjoy an unforgettable culinary journey through Sicily but also help support future programs, events, and cultural experiences that keep Italy's rich traditions alive right here in San Diego.

Celebrate Ferragosto Under the Stars in San Diego's Little Italy August 15th

 


Celebrate Ferragosto Under the Stars in San Diego's Little Italy

By Chris M. Forte

There are few summer traditions in Italy more beloved than Ferragosto. Every August, cities empty as families head for the beaches, mountains, lakes, and village piazzas to enjoy good food, music, friendship, and the simple pleasures of summer.

Fortunately, you don't have to book a flight to Naples or the Amalfi Coast to experience a little of that magic.

This August 15, San Diego's own Little Italy will once again embrace the spirit of Italy with Ferragosto Sotto Le Stelle—"Ferragosto Under the Stars."

An Italian Summer Evening

Held in the heart of one of America's most vibrant Little Italy neighborhoods, this celebration captures everything that makes an Italian summer unforgettable.

As the sun sets over San Diego Bay, friends gather outdoors for an evening of:

  • Live Italian music
  • Aperitivi and cocktails
  • Great food
  • Beautiful company
  • A festive atmosphere beneath the stars

The event's name couldn't be more fitting. Sotto le Stelle literally means "under the stars," evoking those warm Mediterranean evenings when conversations stretch long after sunset and no one seems to be in a hurry to go home.

Why Ferragosto Matters

Ferragosto is much more than another summer festival.

The holiday dates back over two thousand years to 18 B.C., when Emperor Augustus established the Feriae Augusti, a period of celebration and rest following the harvest season.

Later, the Catholic Church associated August 15 with the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, making Ferragosto both a national holiday and one of Italy's most important religious celebrations.

Today it has become a uniquely Italian blend of history, faith, family, vacation, and community.

Little Italy Knows How to Celebrate

San Diego's Little Italy has become one of the premier destinations for Italian culture in the United States.

Throughout the year, the neighborhood hosts festivals, art walks, outdoor concerts, religious processions, farmers markets, and celebrations that attract visitors from across Southern California.

Ferragosto fits perfectly into that tradition.

Rather than recreating Italy exactly, it captures something even more important—the Italian way of enjoying life.

Sit with friends.

Share a drink.

Listen to music.

Meet someone new.

Stay a little longer than you planned.

Music, Friends, and Aperitivi

This year's event features an evening of entertainment with performances by:

  • Sacha Boutros
  • Salvador Padilla
  • Pietro Rizzi
  • Iris Moné

Guests can enjoy aperitivi, one of Italy's favorite traditions. Similar to happy hour—but far more social—the aperitivo is about slowing down before dinner with wine or cocktails accompanied by light bites while catching up with friends.

It's less about drinking and more about conversation.

Exactly the way Italians like it.

Why You Should Go

One of the goals of The Italian Californian is encouraging readers to discover the many ways Italian culture continues to thrive right here in California.

Ferragosto Sotto Le Stelle is one of those events that reminds us Italian heritage isn't confined to museums or history books. It's alive in our neighborhoods, restaurants, music, language, and communities.

Whether you're proudly Italian, married into an Italian family, planning your first trip to Italy, or simply appreciate la dolce vita, this promises to be one of the highlights of San Diego's summer calendar.

Bring a few friends, order an aperitivo, enjoy the music, and spend an evening celebrating one of Italy's oldest and happiest traditions.

Buon Ferragosto! 🇮🇹☀️🌊

Event Information

Ferragosto Sotto Le Stelle
Saturday, August 15, 2026

📍 Amici Bar
250 W. Date Street
Little Italy, San Diego, CA 92101

Enjoy an evening of Italian songs, aperitivi, and community beneath the stars, featuring performances by Sacha Boutros, Salvador Padilla, Pietro Rizzi, and Iris Moné. The event is presented by the Convivio Society as A Night of Italian Songs for Peace.

Tickets & Reservations

Tickets are available online in advance. Because space is limited, early reservations are recommended.

For tickets and the latest event information, visit:

Whether you're celebrating your Italian heritage, planning a date night, or simply looking for a memorable summer evening in San Diego, Ferragosto Sotto Le Stelle promises music, friendship, and the unmistakable spirit of la dolce vita in the heart of Little Italy.



Wine Series: Vini della Sicilia August 21st

  Discover the Wines of Sicily Without Leaving San Diego By Chris M. Forte If you've ever dreamed of sipping wine beneath the vineyard...