Cinigiano

The stone hamlet of Cinigiano crowns one of the rolling hills of the Maremma area of Tuscany and still maintains an old-fashioned, rural way of life. During the year there are numerous events, the most important include Calici di Stelle, wine tasting and live music on the streets of the town, on the day of St. Lawrence (August, 10), and the Festa dell'Uva or wine harvest festival. The Festa dell'Uva takes place every year on the first October weekend.

Montalcino

Sagra del Tordo

The famous festival Sagra del Tordo and the Torneo di Apertura are two colourful festivals held each year in Montalcino. The Festival of the Thrush, taking place on the last Sunday of October, is the biggest and most important festival for Montalcino in which the entire population is involved. The Sagra del Tordo is a traditional celebration in honour of the thrush that populated the hill in ancient times. The bushes around Montalcino were populated by a great number of birds. In Roman times the thrush in particular were so numerous that the Gaius Mecenate, the smart adviser of the Emperor Augustus, organized a profitable trade, buying them from local hunters and selling at high prices to the rich and gluttonous Romans.
The Sagra del Tordo is organized according to a precise script with a double meaning: to pay tribute to the thrush and enhance the skills in the armeggiare (handle weapons) of Montalcinesi.

Torneo di Apertura

The hunting season is opened every year on the second Sunday in August. The Tournament for the Opening of the Hunting Season is celebrated with a historical parade and a crossbow competition. The festival marks the beginning of hunting season. In the afternoon, a costumed procession proceeds to the fortress where archers from the four neighbourhoods (Borghetto, Pianello, Ruga, and Travaglio) compete in an archery tournament.