Events in Montisi
Harpsichord concerts from the “Piccola Accademia”
“La Piccola Accademia di Montisi” was founded in 2007 to provide a centre of inspiration for musicians worldwide who have an interest in the harpsichord.
At the beginning of summer Montisi village life livens up with the presence of talented harpsichord teachers and students from more than 30 countries from all over the world. Concerts and recitals are also given by the world’s leading harpsichordists.
La Giostra di Simone
It is a medieval jousting tournament when the four neighbourhoods of the village, called contrade, commemorate the fierce combat that took place towards the end of 13th century between the feudal overlord of the area, Simone Cacciaconti with his soldiers and the inhabitants of Montisi.
It is an annual spectacular event held on the Sunday nearest to 5th August, the feast day of Montisi’s patron saint, Our Lady of the Snows.
The event begins with an historical procession including characters in beautiful medieval costumes starting from the actual courtyard of La Grancia moving up to the field just outside the village where the competition takes place. Here the horsemen representing the contrade charge at full gallop armed with a lance with the aim to score the most points for their contrada by hitting the target, an effigy of Simone.
Grape harvest
The grape harvest takes place in September when the grapes reach their right level of ripeness. The land covered by our vineyards around Montisi is not very extensive as the oil production prevails, but they provide a product of a very high quality.
The grapes picked by hand are conveyed to the ancient cantina where traditional and careful operations are carried out for the production and ageing of the Doc wines. The grapes of La Grancia vineyards come from Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Merlot, Trebbiano and Malvasia vines.
Olive harvest and the new oil festival
The olive harvest begins around the middle of October, producing an excellent oil of a renowned quality.
The olives are picked on the tree either manually or with small electrical machines and are ground within one or two days in our local mill.
This important event for the economy of our village is celebrated in the first few days of November with a vibrant festival called “Il primo olio ed altro ancora” . Along the main village street you can taste the newly pressed olive oil and various local products. Also objects of a fine craftsmanship are displayed, guided visits to a local mill are organized and tasty local food is cooked in restaurants and contrade kitchens.
Oil and wine tastings, run by expert sommeliers, take place in the “sala delle carrozze” in La Grancia.
Performances at the tiny 1800’s Theatre of La Grancia
2005 saw the completion of the restoration of the 1800’s theatre of La Grancia, one of the smaller theatres in the world. The theatre seats 68 people and covers an area of about 60mq.
A small Montisi theater company and other groups from the neighbourhood perform fine plays throughout the whole year.
A short visit to the tiny theatre will reveal with how much care and taste the restoration works were undertaken so as to retain the original structure of the theatre.
