Those who may have left it too late to plan a getaway for summer 2026 or maybe anyone who was simply hoping to book a September stay in a villa in Italy is sure to enjoy the perfect combination of leftover summer sun and early autumnal culinary delights. Food festivals and seasonal specialities are not unique to autumn and can be enjoyed all throughout the year in Italy but once autumn sets in and harvests are completed, the whole thing kicks into overdrive. So, for those who love to eat well and eat heartily, it is a great time to explore Italy.
Cheese-lovers, in particular, should find a vacation rental in the Orcia Valley around the first week of September when the local town of Pienza celebrates its beloved and award-winning cheeses in the Festa del Cacio...
Pienza’s pecorino, known locally as cacio has long been one of the most highly regarded cheeses in the region and local cheese-makers celebrate their local delicacy with a week-long festival ending in a cheese rolling competition on the Sunday.
The 2026 edition of the event will take place from the 31st of August until the 6th of September and marks the 64th year of the festival. In the run up to the major events, there will be rehearsals of the musicians and flag-wavers taking place in town. On the 2nd of September there will be a briscola card game tournament and gastronomic awards.
Then, on the 3rd there will be a tasting of pecorino cheeses from the area paired with Orcia wines in Piazza Pio II at 6pm and at 9pm will be the official opening event with a performance by those musicians and flag-wavers that you may have spotted rehearsing earlier in the week. The game wheels of cheese for the competition at the end of the week will also be chosen by the leaders of the different districts in town on this evening, as well as the branding of the wheels, and the presentation of the trophy that has been created by Alis Anghel.
On the 4th there will be a big dinner for the contrade (or districts) in Piazza Pio II at 8pm and then a DJ set in the square from 11pm. Then, on the 5th and 6th, the whole historic centre will fill with stalls for tasting and purchasing Pienza’s pecorino cheese for the duration of the cheese fair. There will also be events for kids such as their own version of the cheese-rolling competition between the contrade and performances and a parade by the junior musicians and flag-wavers. Music, parties, and little events will generally be found throughout town for the duration of the festival as the whole community comes together to celebrate.
Finally, the main attraction, the Palio del Cacio Fuso, will see the representatives of each contrada attempt to roll a wheel of pecorino cheese the closest they can to the fuso, a wooden spindle that is placed in the gap between two bricks in the town’s main square. The winning contrada will then receive the palio trophy and the honour of being that year’s winner.
So, if you want to join in on a fun local tradition and sample some truly excellent cheese and wine and you are planning a trip to a villa in Tuscany in September then consider our excellent range of holiday rentals in the Orcia Valley.