Mozzarella di Gioia del Colle G.U. Cheese Festival Returns to Apulia in August 2026

An open‑air cheese festival will be held in the historic town of Gioia del Colle, province of Bari, Apulia, Italy on 22‑23 August 2026. The event showcases the Mozzarella di Gioia del Colle g.U., the first Italian cow‑milk mozzarella to receive the EU protected designation of origin, and promotes the European "Think Milk, Taste Europe, Be Smart!" campaign.

Visitors can watch live mozzarella‑pulling demonstrations, sample the cheese alongside regional specialties such as cured meats and olive oil, and learn about the centuries‑old dairy traditions of the Murgia area. Alessandro Mocellin, president of the milk sector of Confcooperative Agroalimentare e Pesca, said cheese tourism offers a concrete development opportunity for southern Italy’s rural regions, helping to boost the local economy and preserve cultural heritage.