In the Prosecco Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, autumn has a precise scent: that of brown leaves on fire. Just a few minutes from La Corte di Marga, in the village of Combai — a part of Miane — the Pro Loco has been organizing the Marroni Festival, dedicated to Combai IGP Chestnuts. We believe in tourism that benefits the local community: a day in Combai is also this: buying from the farmers, eating what grows here, right now.

But before going up to the village, a question that guests often ask us: What difference is there between a brown and a chestnut?

Brown or chestnut? The differences to know

The Combai Brown is an ecotype of chestnut (Castanea sativa) selected over time in the Trevignano Prealps. The IGP regulations thus distinguish it:

• Few fruits for a hedgehog: usually two, never more than three (the common chestnut often has more and smaller ones).
• Large sizeIn the “extra” category, from 50 to 80 fruits per kilo.
• It peels off nicelyThe dark, striate skin easily separates from the inner film, which in turn peels off effortlessly from the pulp.
• Sweet and crumbly pulp: white, savory, holds up well in cooking.

Where the Marrone di Combai IGP originates

The production area includes 11 municipalities in the province of TrevisoCison di Valmarino, Cordignano, Follina, Fregona, Maine, Revine Lago, Sarmede, Segusino, Tarzo, Valdobbiadene and Vittorio Veneto — with Combai as the historical heart. Documents on chestnut cultivation in the area date back to the 12th century; one from September 18, 1665 even regulated collection by family, with quotas proportional to the number of members. The collection runs from September 15 to November 15The festival falls exactly at the right time.

If you want to walk among the chestnut trees even outside the holidays, the Road of Fan in Combai It is the path from which to start.

Combai Marroni Festival 2026: dates and program

The’82nd Marroni Festival takes place from October 9 to November 1, 2026, With the heart of events on weekends. Some events from the Pro Loco official program:

• Friday, October 9: opening of the gastronomic stand with roasted chestnuts and chestnut desserts, and the symposium of wood sculpture.
• Sunday, October 11, 10:30: Official opening with the flag-bearers of Dama Castellana of Conegliano.
• Every Saturday and Sunday: walks in the woods with the collection of chestnuts (by reservation online), walks among the chestnut trees on Sundays at 9 and 11 a.m., music along the streets of the village.
• At Colle di Ronch, every Sunday from the first afternoonBrowns cooked and vin nouveau.
• Saturday, October 24: treasure hunt for everyone and the “Rostidora d’Oro”, the competition for the best brown bread cook.
• Sunday, October 25: “Gravel dei Marroni”, 50 km by bike along the Strada dei Marroni.
• For the little ones: cooking workshops “Little Chefs” (October 10th) and cinema in stop-motion (October 31st).

At the table: gnocchi and brown roll, tortelli and brown pork, pasticcio and stew with polenta — The dishes from the stand can be booked by phone (hours and menus change day by day: always check the official program on combai.it before leaving).

Practical guide: how to get to the Feast of the Browned by Miane

• Distance from La Corte di MargaCombai is a hamlet of our own municipality, a few minutes’ drive away.
• Sunday afternoons (October 11, 18, 25, and November 1, from 1:00 to 19:00) The road from Miane to Combai is closed to traffic (except for residents): you can get there by car. bus shuttle from Miane, Open from 13:00; the last return to Miane is at 20:00. Alternatively, you can arrive by car from the Valdobbiadene side (SP 36).
• Our adviceOn Sundays, head up in the morning for a walk among the chestnut trees at 9 or 11 a.m., and enjoy the town before the afternoon crowds. Alternatively, choose a Saturday or an evening off (Thursday and Friday there is a late-night food stall).
• Bookings: online walks on the Pro Loco website; dishes from the stand available by phone only at 345 352 5320.
• With the dogAt the party, dogs are only allowed to go up the stairs with a leash or muzzle, regardless of size.
• What to bring: Comfortable shoes (the walk among the chestnut trees is easy but in the forest and not suitable for strollers) and a warm layer for the evening.

Recipes and sommelier pairings with wines from the Marca Trevigiana

1. Roast chestnuts (caldarroste)
The dish: sweet, floury, with a toasted note and a finish that dries the palate.
The combination: il vin novo of tradition, or a Verdiso Frizzante — the native white wine that in Combai has its own festival. The acidic freshness and the light bubbles “cleanse” the mouth of the flouriness of the brown and invite you to the next sip.

2. Gnocchi or brown tortelli, butter and sage
The dish: sweet and fatty texture, buttery softness, sage aroma.
The combinationa Prosecco Superiore DOCG in the Brut version. Acidity and carbon dioxide counteract the richness of the butter, while the dry dosage does not add to the natural sweetness of the brown sugar.

3. Brown sweets
The dishIntense sweetness, creamy or floury texture.
The combination: il Torchiato di Fregona DOCG, a rare passito from our foothill region, made from grapes Boschera, Glera and Verdiso. Basic rule: the dessert wine must be at least as sweet as the dessert — here, the residual sugar from the port accompanies the brown without covering it, and its acidity prevents the cloying effect.

For a country dinner after the party, the’Farmer's Tavern It's right in Combai.

Where to sleep for the Feast of the Marrons

La Corte di Marga is a restored rural village in Miane, about 3 km from Combai, with five independent accommodations and fully equipped kitchens — ideal for cooking the chestnuts bought at the festival at home. In the evening, after a day among the chestnut trees, you return to silence among the hills of Miane village. If you want to extend your stay with a complete itinerary of wine and taverns in the area, you’ll find ideas in our guide to Autumn weekend in Miane and its surroundings.

Discover our gastronomic experiences and excursions e book your autumn weekend directly At the best guaranteed price. Arrive as a guest, leave as a friend.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Festa dei Marroni di Combai 2026?
The 82nd edition takes place from October 9 to November 1, 2026 in Combai, a hamlet of Miane (TV), organized by the Pro Loco of Combai. The main events are concentrated on weekends.

How do you get to Combai on Sunday of the Festa dei Marroni?
On Sundays from 13:00 to 19:00, the road from Miane is closed to traffic (except for residents): you can get there by shuttle buses from Miane, which start at 13:00 with the last return at 20:00, or by car from the Valdobbiadene side along the SP 36.

What’s the difference between brown and chestnut?
The brown variety has fewer fruits per berry (usually two, never more than three), larger fruits and a film that easily peels off from the pulp, sweet and floury. The IGP Marrone di Combai is harvested from September 15 to November 15 in 11 municipalities in the Treviso foothill region.

Is it necessary to make a reservation for the Festa dei Marroni?
Yes for the dishes at the gastronomic stand (by phone only, 345 352 5320) and for guided tours (online on the Pro Loco website). For everything else (tastings, stands, exhibitions), it is still advisable to check the official program on combai.it.

Where to sleep near Combai during the Marroni Festival?
The Corte di Marga, in Miane, is about 3 km from Combai: independent accommodations with a kitchen, convenient for reaching the festival by car or on the Sunday shuttle bus, and returning to rest among the hills.