The festival celebrating the hunting tradition, including archery competitions, costume parades, dancing and, of course, tastings

The Festival of the Thrush, an event dating back to 1958, draws its origins from the hunting tradition of the Val d’Orcia villages. Celebrated at the end of October, it stages a fierce competition between the four Montalcino quarters, Borghetto (white and red), Pianello (white and blue), Ruga (yellow and blue) and Travaglio (yellow and red), which take the field to compete in an archery contest. From the first light of dawn the villagers, wearing 14th-century peasant costumes, sing and dance through the streets of the village accompanied by accordions, and then all gather in a traditional procession from Piazza Cavour to the 14th-century fortress.

After an ample tasting of typical products accompanied by Montalcino wines, the historical procession resumes towards the tournament field where the long-awaited competition will take place. At the end of the competition, the winning Quarter will collect a silver arrow, chanting songs of joy and mockery at the other Quarters. The festivities will go on throughout the winter, and those who lost will have to endure the chants and jeers of the winners.