4 From March 6 to 9, 2026, Cortona once again becomes the center of one of the most authoritative events dedicated to the dialogue between wine and cuisine: Chianina & Syrah.
Not just a food and wine event, but a true Festival of the Good Life, where Chianina beef and Cortona Syrah become contemporary language, technical exchange, and territorial identity.
Among the protagonists of the 2026 edition will be Chef Susy of Villa Maya, with a proposal that combines craftsmanship, memory, and research.
Where to find Chef Susy: Banco dei Morsi (March 6–8, 2026)
The meeting point is the Sant’Agostino Conference Center, the operational heart of the festival.
Chef Susy will be present at the Banco dei Morsi on:
👉 Friday, March 6
👉 Saturday, March 7
👉 Sunday, March 8
The Banco dei Morsi is the space where fine dining becomes a direct experience; here visitors can taste dishes designed to enhance the dialogue between meat and wine, in an accessible format yet technically rigorous.
It is the place where flavor is concentrated, where every bite must leave a mark.
“Note di Testa”: the dish signed by Chef Susy
For Chianina & Syrah 2026, Chef Susy presents “Note di Testa,” a creation that begins with fresh pasta and reaches the heart of the Valdichiana.
Cappelletto di Camaiore meets Chianina IGP
The base is a hand-rolled cappelletto, an expression of the craftsmanship that has always defined Villa Maya’s cuisine.
The filling tells the story of Cortona:
ragù of slow-braised Chianina IGP, cooked gently to respect the structure and depth of the meat, deglazed with Syrah to amplify acidity, spice, and persistence.
A dish designed to dialogue with the wine, not to overpower it.
The sensory signature: tobacco and black pepper vaporization
The detail that makes “Note di Testa” a complete experience is the finishing touch at the moment of service: a vaporization of tobacco and black pepper essence.
A choice that is not aesthetic, but technical.
Cortona Syrah DOC is known for its tertiary aromas: leather, dark spices, tobacco. The vaporization anticipates these notes on the nose, creating a direct bridge between plate and glass.
Even before tasting, the sense of smell comes into play: it is a sensory short circuit designed to amplify the pairing.
Chianina & Syrah: the value of the pairing
The festival celebrates two absolute excellences: Chianina Beef.
Known as the “White Giant” of the Valdichiana, it is among the oldest and most prized cattle breeds in the world, certified as Vitellone Bianco dell’Appennino Centrale IGP.
Cortona Syrah DOC
A grape variety that in this territory has found an ideal microclimate, capable of expressing structure, elegance, and great aging potential.
Over 50 wineries, masterclasses, cooking shows, and meetings with chefs and producers make the event a point of reference for professionals, sommeliers, and enthusiasts.
It is not just tasting; it is gastronomic culture.
Why Villa Maya is in Cortona
For Villa Maya, participating in Chianina & Syrah means investing in research, relationships, and quality.
As Chef Susy explains:
“Engaging with the butchers of the Valdichiana and with Syrah producers is essential. Every meeting becomes a new idea, a different technique, a supplier who can join our supply chain. That’s how the menu evolves.”
Being present in Cortona is not about representation; it is about development.
It means bringing home concrete knowledge that translates into more conscious dishes, deeper pairings, and more complete experiences for those who choose Villa Maya.
Useful information – Chianina & Syrah 2026
When: March 6–9, 2026
Where: Sant’Agostino Conference Center, Cortona
Chef Susy at the Banco dei Morsi: March 6–8
Would you like to discover how this experience will influence Villa Maya’s next menu?
Subscribe to the newsletter or book a table: “Note di Testa” may return, in a new evolution, directly from the Valdichiana to our kitchen ristorant A signature gastronomic experience
