The Night of the Alembic Stills

n Santa Massenza, a small village in the Valle dei Laghi with a long-standing tradition of distilling, the stills take centre stage for four days.

From 5 to 8 December 2026, the event returns for its 18th edition with a travelling theatre performance that takes you through the village’s five historic family-run distilleries.The story unfolds with the theatre company Koinè and the narrative voice of Patrizio Roversi. Stop by stop, you’ll discover the history of Trentino grappa, the traditions behind distillation and the close connection between this spirit and the Valle dei Laghi.
The route passes through the distilleries of Casimiro, Francesco, Giovanni Poli, Giulio & Mauro and Maxentia. At each stop, theatre and storytelling meet the work of the distillers, together with a tasting of single-variety grappa, paired with small traditional sweet treats such as chocolate, zelten and fregoloti.It is a chance to discover a tradition that is still very much alive today: from fresh local grape pomace to bain-marie distillation in discontinuous stills, right through to the finished grappa in your glass.

Before you go: what you need to know

• How does the experience work?
  After check-in, participants are divided into 5 groups of up to 40 people. The route begins in Piazza San Vigilio with Patrizio Roversi and the five distillers, before continuing through the different distilleries in the village. The groups rotate between the various stops, accompanied by the actors from the Koinè theatre company.
• What happens inside the distilleries?
  In each of the five distilleries, you’ll watch a section of the performance lasting around 20 minutes, focused on the history of grappa and distillation techniques. Each stop also includes a tasting of single-variety grappa paired with small traditional sweet treats.
• How does the route end?
  After visiting all five distilleries, the groups return to Piazza San Vigilio for the final part of the performance and the traditional “turbinio di grappe”, with a concluding tasting.
• Where do I collect the headphones and glass?
  Check-in and collection of the headphones for the performance and the tasting glass take place at the former rectory in Santa Massenza, at least 1 hour before the start of the performance.

A tasting is a moment of culture and conviviality: enjoying it mindfully means getting to know the product, appreciating it and drinking responsibly.

INFO & FAQ

• When does The Night of the Lit Stills take place?
  From 5 to 8 December 2026.
• What are the performance times?
  5 December: 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm
  6 December: 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm
  7 December: 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm
  8 December: 5:00 pm
• How much does it cost?
  €20.00 adults
  €12.00 young people aged 6 to 18 inclusive
  Free for children up to 6 years old.
• How many people can take part?
  Each performance can accommodate up to 200 participants, divided into 5 groups of up to 40 people.
• Are tastings included?
  Yes. Grappa tastings are included during the route through the distilleries, followed by a final tasting in Piazza San Vigilio.
• Where does the experience take place?
  In the village of Santa Massenza, in the Valle dei Laghi, with stops at the five distilleries Casimiro, Francesco, Giovanni Poli, Giulio & Mauro and Maxentia.
• Where can I park?
  Around 30 parking spaces are available inside the village, with approximately 200 additional spaces at the hydroelectric power station at the entrance to Santa Massenza.
• Are there any road closures?
  Yes. The roads inside Santa Massenza will be closed to traffic during the event and the Christmas markets.
• Are food and drink available?
  Yes. Food and drink points will be available in the village at Antica Distilleria Giovanni Poli and Agricola Francesco.
• Who organises the event?
  The event is organised by the cultural association “Santa Massenza piccola Nizza de Trent”, with the support of Garda Dolomiti and Trentino Marketing, and in collaboration with the Istituto Tutela Grappa del Trentino.
• Where can I get more information?
  For information and event updates:
  turbineealambicchi@libero.it