Festa del formaggio e dei piccoli frutti

High in the Sauris valley, at Lateis, a small Friuli village nestled among the Dolomites, a festival celebrates alpine cheese excellence and the mountain culture of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The Festa del formaggio e dei piccoli frutti is an authentic immersion into the region's pastoral and cheesemaking traditions, where alpine hut cheeses – particularly the renowned salted, aged variety with its distinctive bold flavour – are crafted using methods passed down through generations in the region's most enchanting highlands. Over three festive days, visitors can taste fresh, aged, and flavoured cheeses, paired with traditional Friuli dishes such as polenta, frico, hearty soups, and artisanal cured meats. The atmosphere is unmistakably mountain-authentic, with the scent of wood smoke, freshly milked milk, and high-altitude herbs. Beyond tastings, guided tours to the alpine huts, demonstrations of milking and cheese-making, interactive workshops, and nature walks round out an experience that engages both palate and landscape discovery. Each tasting becomes a story of altitude, labour, and community. Traditional songs and convivial spirit make this festival a place where Friuli's culinary biodiversity meets the wild beauty of the alpine landscape – perfect for those seeking to understand the profound bond between people, animals, and land.