UPPER BARRAKKA GARDENS, VALLETTA

20 Years Anniversary Edition 

11, 12 and 13 August 2023

Malta’s grandest wine festival  celebrates 20 years

COMING THIS AUGUST 

This year’s festival kicks off Santa Marija weekend on 11, 12 and 13 August 2023.

Malta’s grandest wine festival takes place over three nights at the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta, on Friday 11, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 August, every evening from 7 pm till midnight. 

Each evening will be wine-and-joy filled and promises to be as magical as ever with a great line-up of wine, food and music. Balmy, starlit Maltese summer sunsets, delicious wines, great music and friendly hospitality, the Delicata Classic Wine Festival is all rolled into one.

GET YOUR WINE PURSE

Wine coins are the common currency at Delicata Classic Wine Festival, exchangeable for glasses of delightful wines.

Whilst entrance is free, to try the wines you need to purchase a purse of 24 wine coins and a souvenir glass (yours to keep) for €20.00.

Handing over the correct change of wine coins at the stalls inside will prompt dedicated wine stewards to pour a standard 150 ml glass of the wine on show in the clearly marked festival glass. We generously serve all wines by the glass: no tasters, no bottles.  Glasses and left-over wine coins are not refundable and not convertible to cash or bottles. By purchasing you consent to the terms and conditions.

GREAT AWARD-WINNING WINES

In all, there will be 20 wines to sample. Various vintages of Delicata’s award-winning wine brands are served from wine stalls spread along the garden’s periphery.

These include the semi-sparkling Frizzantes (6 coins) made from the very rare native old bush vines Girgentina and Ġellewża, a selection of delectable white, red and rosé home-grown Medina (6 coins) and Victoria Heights boutique wines (6 coins), noble mono-varietals of the iconic flagship Gran Cavalier selection (8 coins) and Malta’s most internationally awarded Grand Vin de Hauteville range (8 coins).

Besides the sweeter lifestyle Dolcino (4 coins) and the exclusive  Falcon wines (4 coins), the popular lush Casella Moscato and other varietals of the Classic Collection (4 coins) as well as all three of the  Pjazza Reġina wines (6 coins) will also be on show to taste. And, you also get a chance to enjoy Delicata’s SpritZZers (4 coins).

ENJOY DIFFERENT CUISINES

Live cooking stalls will be serving a tempting variety of both traditional Maltese and international dishes to tease a wide range of palates prepared by some of Malta’s top caterers.

MUSIC TO YOUR EARS

Every evening there is a double-bill of top local talent on show.  On Friday, Kersten Graham and Band kicks off and is followed by Kurt Calleja and Band. On Saturday, Jolene Samhan opens for Gianni & RUG. On Sunday, Cash and Band starts and the Spiteri Lucas Band closes the festival.

ONLINE PRIORITY LANE 

NOTICE: Online bookings close on 8 August. But, as always, the cash points will be open on the night (at 7 pm each evening). So, you may pay at the door on the night.

You can purchase your wine purse and souvenir glass online in advance – at no extra charge! Then, on the night, go straight on through to your favourite Delicata wines!

The swift cart system is easy: just settle the standard fee online, print a copy of your booking confirmation and then, on the evening, collect your wine coin-filled purse and included festival wine glass from the special online priority lane outside the gardens against presentation of your printed ticket.

In doing so, you will save time queuing at the most popular wine event of the year.

ENJOY RESPONSIBLY & GET A RIDE 

Getting to the gardens (Google Map) is possible from the main entrance to the right of Castille Hotel of course. Patrons are reminded to enjoy themselves responsibly and never drink and drive.

There are private taxis in the vicinity. Reliable rides are offered by our partner UBER offering shared and private rides to anywhere in Malta at discounted rates. Use Uber discount code DWFMT23 for 10% off on two rides (to and fro the festival – the maximum discount is €3 per trip – In your Uber app: select Wallet, add promo code in Promotions, select Add and restart App.)

IMPORTANT Do NOT pin your pick-up location inside the Upper Barrakka Gardens but well outside on Street / Triq Girolamo Cassar.

Whilst entrance to the Festival is free, strictly no wine will be served to anyone under 17. Wine glasses are sold until 11 pm, wine is poured up to 11.30 pm and the festival closes at midnight. Mineral water and soft drinks are also available for purchase.

The Upper Barrakka lift will operate as normal till midnight.

See you there!

Disclaimer: The info provided is accurate at the time of writing 10 May 2023. However, the winery shall not be held accountable in case of any possible changes. For more information contact the Emmanuel Delicata Winery on 2182 5199 or via email on [email protected].