A new edition of Vinitaly 2026, the most important international event dedicated to Italian wine and a key event for the entire global wine sector, officially opens today in Verona.
The inaugural ceremony took place at the Vivaldi Auditorium at Veronafiere with the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by numerous institutional authorities, government representatives, and leading figures from the wine world.
The 2026 edition presents itself with important numbers: over 4,000 exhibiting companies, 18 pavilions and hundreds of events including tastings, masterclasses, training sessions and conferences , confirming Verona as the global center of the wine business for four days.
An increasingly international Vinitaly
Veronafiere President Federico Bricolo emphasized how the organization also faced logistical challenges related to the international scenario, such as the cancellation of some flights from the Middle East, which required rescheduling activities.
Despite this, the event has a strong international dimension. Thanks to the collaboration with ICE – Italian Trade Agency , buyers and professionals from all over the world are expected:
- Over 1,000 selected buyers have already arrived in Verona
- professional operators from approximately 130 countries
- an international promotion program with over 30 events organized abroad , from the United States to new emerging markets.
Among the markets being monitored with greatest interest are India and Australia , where recent trade agreements and tax reductions could open up new opportunities for Italian companies. Interest from operators from the African continent is also growing.
Export and economic diplomacy
Several institutional representatives spoke at the opening ceremony, including Antonio Tajani , who reiterated the strategic role of exports for the Italian economy.
According to Tajani, exports account for approximately 40% of the national GDP , and wine is one of the strongest symbols of Italy’s presence in the world. Despite international trade tensions and the issue of tariffs, Italian wine continues to grow in foreign markets thanks to its quality and positioning.
A message also shared by the President of the Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana , who recalled how international trade and economic dialogue can be instruments of stability and cooperation between countries.
The central theme: wine tourism and wine culture
Among the focuses of the 2026 edition , the link between wine, territory and tourism strongly emerges, with wine tourism indicated as one of the main drivers of development in the sector in the coming years.
Alongside its business activities, Vinitaly strengthens the narrative of wine as an expression of Italian gastronomic culture , increasingly connected to cuisine, landscape and the tourist experience.
The inaugural conference, entitled “The geographies of wine, ancient ways and new routes” , addressed precisely this theme, with the participation of the main representatives of the sector, including Lamberto Frescobaldi and Giacomo Ponti .
Industry Awards and Recognitions
During the inauguration, the Vinitaly 2026 Awards were also presented, which celebrate figures and entities that have contributed to the development of Italian wine:
- Vinitaly International Italy Award to Lamberto Frescobaldi
- Vinitaly International Award to Antonio Stopper
- Lifetime Achievement Award to Professor Attilio Scienza
- “One Hundred Years of Excellence” Award to Valdo Spumanti and the Bardolino Wine Protection Consortium .
Veneto, the protagonist of Italian wine
The host region also received considerable attention. Veneto Region President Alberto Stefani emphasized how the regional wine sector remains a cornerstone of the agricultural economy.
The data confirm the strength of the Veneto system:
- grape production 6.8%
- wine production 7%
- 11.44 million hectoliters produced in 2025
- exports equal to 2.9 billion euros , approximately 38% of Italian wine exports .
The regional vineyard area exceeds 104 thousand hectares , with a strong prevalence of white grape varieties, among which the Glera variety, the basis of Prosecco, stands out.
Veneto will be present at Vinitaly with 400 companies in the regional stand , a 230-square-meter space dedicated to promoting the region’s territories, denominations, and wine tourism offerings.
A fair that looks to the future of wine
In a complex international context, amidst changes in consumption, climate challenges, and new commercial dynamics, Vinitaly 2026 confirms its position as a strategic place for discussion and development for the sector .
For four days, Verona becomes a meeting point for producers, buyers, institutions, and wine professionals, with the aim of strengthening the positioning of Italian wine on global markets and building the wine routes of the future.