On Saturday 26 and 27 August 2023, Monferrato Astigiano turns into a stage for the "Rocchetta Grand Jeté", the Dance Gala with Principal Dancers and other Stars of the Royal Ballet of London. Two unique days of its kind, to enhance art and the territory, presented by Meaghan Grace Hinkis, Principal Soloist of the famous company, hosted in an excellent location, the historic Cantine dei Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta, in Rocchetta Tanaro ( Asti). 14 of the most famous dancers in the world, accompanied by the Concert Master and First Violin of the Royal Opera House Sergey Levitin and the official pianist of the Royal Ballet Michael Pansters, will perform classical and contemporary choreographies. Directly from London, on stage with Meaghan Grace Hinkis will be the Principal Dancers Sarah Lamb (USA), Steven McRae (Australia), Matthew Ball (UK), Mayara Magri (Brazil), Anne Rose O'Sullivan (UK), Laura Morera (Spain) and Ryoichi Hirano (Japan). With them, Principal Soloist Luca Acri (Italy-Japan), Soloists Mariko Sasaki (Japan), Lukas Brændsrød (Norway) and David Donnelly (USA), the young Italian star, Principal Artist Giacomo Rovero, and Artist Daichi Ikarashi (Japan).

This unprecedented pas de deux between the hills of Monferrato, a Unesco heritage site, and dance, began in 2021 when, during the Covid emergency, the Cantine dei Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta supported the Royal Opera House and the Royal Ballet of London with the “A Bottle For The Arts” initiative, launching a Limited Edition collector's bottle of Barbera d'Asti Superiore with a label designed by a Royal Ballet dancer and donating part of the proceeds to the Theatre.
“It is a real honor – explained Francesca Massone Incisa della Rocchetta, owner of the cellars – for my brother Filiberto and for me to host this event. When I proposed to dear Meaghan the idea of organizing a show here in Monferrato, in Rocchetta Tanaro, she and many of her colleagues did not hesitate to say a big yes ”. A very generous yes, because with the proceeds of this event funds will also be donated to institutions in the world of dance.
“The combination of an area so famous for its beauty, its wine and its cuisine – said Meaghan Grace Hinkis – and our illustrious dancers and
musicians presenting a mix of classical and contemporary works will make the weekend unforgettable”.
The two-day event, sponsored by the Piedmont Region, the Province of Asti, the Municipality of Rocchetta Tanaro, the Langhe Monferrato Roero Tourism Board and the “I vini del Piemonte” Consortium, is an important opportunity to appreciate the territory which, just like ballet, is everything discover.
A real "Grand Jeté", "great leap", what Rocchetta Tanaro and the whole province of Asti are doing in terms of quality, investing in culture and in the territory, which recall that same elegance of the dancers on stage and which embrace the emotions that performing art is able to convey. An "extraordinary opportunity to continue on the path undertaken to enhance art, history and tradition, - as underlined by Massimo Fungo, mayor of Rocchetta Tanaro - under the banner of our excellence, of which the Cantine dei Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta, promoters of this event, are certainly one of the cornerstones".
This mission has been welcomed with pride and satisfaction by the various local realities, which, together with the Municipality, have subsidized the purchase of some tickets to allow dance school students and teachers to attend not only the show, but also to the exclusive lesson that the dancers will hold with their teacher before going on stage. At the moment, the most prestigious schools in the provinces of Asti and Alba and Savona have benefited from this beautiful initiative.

The other four wineries of Rocchetta Tanaro, Braida, Bologna & Figli, Post dal Vin and Scarzella, and Tenuta Montemagno, in Montemagno, supporting such a high-level event, will open the doors of their companies on the dates of 26 and 27 August. Some will also offer a special discount on visits and tastings to all those who present a show ticket.

To better combine the combination of dance and territory, Sunday 27 August, at 3.30 pm, it will be possible to meet the Étoiles of the Royal Ballet at the Giant Bench of Rocchetta Tanaro, positioned in the Barbera and Grignolino vineyards from which you can enjoy a beautiful glimpse on the beautiful hills of Monferrato.
Appointment then at the end of August with "Rocchetta Grand Jeté", during which it will be possible to taste some of the wines of the Cantina dei Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta, including Grignolino DOC, Roero Arneis DOCG and Rosé Futurosa DOC. It will also be possible to purchase the limited edition bottles of Sant'Emiliano Barbera d'Asti Superiore 2017 with the label created in collaboration with the Royal Opera House for “A Bottle For The Arts”.... read more»