PerBacco! White Wines in Bellinzona: Tastings and Music

Context

In brief

• Wine tastings and music for Ticino white wines
• Event from May 8 to 10, 2026 in Bellinzona
• E-bike tour through the vineyards of Bellinzona
• Participation: 20 CHF for the official glass, 50 CHF for the e-bike tour

Key facts

• What: Event dedicated to Ticino white wines
• When: May 8-10, 2026
• Where: Historic center of Bellinzona
• Who: Organized by PerBacco! Bellinzona
• Cost: Official glass 20 CHF, e-bike tour 50 CHF
• Regulations: In accordance with the Federal Law on Tobacco and Alcohol Tax (LITA), RS 641.3

Bellinzona is preparing to host “PerBacco! Che Bianchi!”, the event dedicated to newly bottled Ticino white wines, scheduled for May 8 to 10, 2026. For three days, the historic center will come alive with tastings, music, and initiatives designed for enthusiasts and curious visitors, in a convivial atmosphere that combines taste and territory. For over a century, Ticino has been synonymous with Merlot, but in recent years, white wines have gained space and recognition thanks to their elegance, freshness, and character. “PerBacco! Che Bianchi!” was born precisely to tell this evolution and offer the opportunity to discover the new vintages, expressions of a continuously transforming territory.

Event program

The program opens on Friday, May 8, with “PerBacco! Che aperitivo”: from 17:00 to 24:00, Piazza Nosetto will transform into an open-air wine bar, with live music, local products, and the first toasts of the weekend. Saturday, May 9, will be the central day of the event. From 10:00 to 13:00, the wine bar will accompany the traditional city market, while in the courtyard of the Town Hall, starting at 10:00, the tasting of Ticino white wines will take place. Visitors can participate by purchasing the official glass online (https://eventfrog.ch/pbcb-26) or directly on site. In the evening, from 17:00 to 24:00, “PerBacco! Che serata” will offer music and conviviality in the heart of the city.

On Sunday, May 10, the event will open with one of the novelties of the 2026 edition: “PerBacco! Che vigne”, an e-bike tour through the vineyards of Bellinzona organized in collaboration with BikePort Bellinzona. The departure is scheduled for 9:00 from Bellinzona station, with arrival at 11:30 in Piazza Nosetto for a final tasting of five white wines accompanied by sommeliers and local gastronomy. Registrations are available at https://perbaccobellinzona.ch/perbacco-che-bianchi/. From 10:00 to 13:00, the historic center will also host a Sunday aperitif before the official closing of the event.

Operational checklist

• Purchase of official glass: 20 CHF online or on site
• E-bike tour registration: 50 CHF, mandatory booking
• Required documents: Identity card or passport for the purchase of alcohol
• Regulations: Compliance with LITA regulations, RS 641.3

Practical scenarios comparison

• Tasting in the square: Accessible to all, low cost, convivial atmosphere
• E-bike tour: Immersive experience, higher cost, mandatory booking

“PerBacco! Che Bianchi! is a unique opportunity to discover Ticino white wines in a unique and welcoming context.”

Concrete examples

• Ticino white wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Merlot Bianco, with an annual production of approximately 1.5 million bottles
• Involved municipalities: Bellinzona, Camorino, Medeglia, Isone, with a vineyard area of approximately 500 hectares

The event promises to be a must-attend for wine and oenogastronomic culture enthusiasts, offering a unique experience in the heart of Ticino.

Operational details

Implications for cross-border workers

The event 'PerBacco! che Bianchi!' represents a unique opportunity for cross-border workers who work in Ticino and reside in Italy. The event, which will take place in Bellinzona from September 1 to 3, 2023, not only offers a moment of leisure and conviviality but also allows you to discover and appreciate Ticino's white wines, a sector that is continuously growing and gaining recognition. According to data from the Federal Customs Administration (FCA), in 2022 over 3.5 million liters of Ticino wine were exported, with a 15% increase compared to the previous year. For cross-border workers who love wine and good food, this event is an opportunity to explore new flavors and get to know the territory where they work better.

How to participate

To participate in the tastings and various activities, cross-border workers can purchase the official glass online or directly on site. The glass, which costs CHF 15, includes tastings at 20 wine and gastronomic stands. It is advisable to book in advance to ensure availability, especially for the e-bike tour which has a limited number of places (maximum 30 participants). Registrations for the tour, which costs CHF 50 and includes a guided visit to the cellars of Gambarogno and a final tasting, are available on the official event website (https://perbaccobellinzona.ch/perbacco-che-bianchi/).

Operational checklist

• Buy the official glass (CHF 15)
• Book the e-bike tour (CHF 50, maximum 30 places)
• Check the tasting times (available on the official website)
• Plan the trip (consider traffic and border crossing times)

Comparison with other wine and food events

Compared to other wine and food events in Ticino, 'PerBacco! che Bianchi!' stands out for its focus on white wines, a sector that is gaining more and more attention. While other events such as the 'Ticino Wine Festival' in Lugano, which takes place at the end of August and attracts around 5,000 visitors, may focus on a wider range of local products, this event offers a more specific and targeted experience, ideal for those who want to deepen their knowledge of Ticino's white wines. Furthermore, 'PerBacco! che Bianchi!' includes activities such as the e-bike tour, which are not present in other wine and food events in the region.

Practical scenarios

Cross-border workers can plan their participation in the event based on their work commitments. For example, those who work in Bellinzona can easily participate in the evening activities, while those who reside in Italy can take advantage of the weekend to visit the event and discover the territory. Furthermore, the event offers the opportunity to combine a working day with an evening of relaxation and tasting, making it an attractive option for those looking for a way to relax after a week of work.

📊 Comparison of practical scenarios

⚠️ Attention: Cross-border workers must comply with regulations on cross-border work. According to the bilateral agreement between Switzerland and Italy, cross-border workers must return to their country of residence at least once a week. Furthermore, it is important to check any restrictions related to COVID-19, even if currently there are no restrictions for wine and food events in Ticino.

'The event 'PerBacco! che Bianchi!' is an excellent opportunity to discover Ticino's white wines and live a unique experience in the heart of Italian Switzerland.' - Event organizers

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Key points

Procedure to participate

To participate in the "PerBacco! che Bianchi!" event, cross-border workers can follow these steps:

1. Purchase the official glass: The official glass can be purchased online at eventfrog.ch for CHF 20, or directly at the event. The limited-edition glass is an exclusive souvenir that allows you to taste Ticino white wines elegantly and sustainably.

2. Register for the e-bike tour: To join the e-bike tour through the vineyards of Bellinzona, you need to register at PerBacco! Bellinzona. Registrations are limited to 50 participants per day, with a cost of CHF 40 per person. The tour, lasting approximately 3 hours, starts from Bellinzona and passes through the municipalities of Camorino, Isone, and Sant’Antonino, offering breathtaking views and tastings in local vineyards.

3. Plan your visit: Cross-border workers can plan their visit based on the event schedule, which takes place from September 15 to 17, 2023. You can participate for a single day or all three days, depending on your interests and commitments. For example, Friday is dedicated to local white wines, Saturday focuses on guided tastings and meetings with producers, while Sunday is reserved for concerts and family activities.

4. Discover the territory: The event offers the opportunity to discover the Ticino region and its white wines. Cross-border workers can take advantage of this occasion to explore new flavors and get to know the region where they work better. For example, the vineyards of Camorino are famous for Merlot, while Isone is renowned for its white wines such as Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio.

Useful tools

To best plan your participation in the event, cross-border workers can use the cost calculator to estimate transportation and accommodation costs. For example, a train journey from Lugano to Bellinzona costs CHF 12.50 per way, while accommodation in a B&B in Bellinzona can vary between CHF 80 and CHF 120 per night. Additionally, the permit comparator can be useful to verify the requirements for staying and working in Switzerland. For example, cross-border workers with a G permit must work at least 50% of their time in Switzerland and can stay in the country for a maximum of 90 consecutive days.

Operational checklist

• Purchase the official glass online or on-site.
• Register for the e-bike tour on the official website.
• Plan your visit based on the event schedule.
• Check transportation and accommodation costs with the cost calculator.
• Verify the requirements for the residence permit with the permit comparator.

Comparisons between practical scenarios

• Scenario 1: A cross-border worker living in Lugano and working in Bellinzona can participate in the event without any issues, using public transportation and staying in a local B&B.
• Scenario 2: A cross-border worker with a G permit working in Switzerland for less than 50% of their time might have problems participating in the event for more than one day due to stay restrictions.

Final CTA

For more information and to book the official glass, visit the event's official website PerBacco! Bellinzona.

Source: tio.ch