Vinalia

Vinalia was a pair of ancient Roman festivals celebrated in honor of Venus. The Vinalia Priora, also known as Vinalia Rustica, took place on April 23rd. This festival was dedicated to the goddess Venus Erycina, associated with agriculture and the blossoming of vines. During this time, sacrificial lambs were offered, and new wine was tasted. It was believed to ensure a good harvest and successful grape production.

The Vinalia Alia, also known as Vinalia Urbana, was celebrated on August 19th. This second Vinalia was more focused on the consumption and enjoyment of wine. It marked the opening of the wine cellars and the tasting of the new vintage. Offerings were made to Venus Libitina, a deity associated with love and beauty, and also with death. The precise connection between Venus Libitina and the wine festival is debated by scholars, but it likely represented a transition or a connection between life's pleasures and its inevitable end. Both Vinalia festivals were important agricultural and social events in the Roman calendar, reflecting the deep connection between the Romans and their land, as well as their reverence for the goddess Venus in her various aspects.