On January 12 and 13, 2025, 40 winemakers and 200 wines for the first collective tasting organized by the Association of Natural Winemakers Overseas.

The year started in style for VinNatur – Associazione Viticoltori Naturali, which chose New York to organize its first collective in the United States.

On Sunday, January 12 and Monday, January 13, 2025, Rule of Thirds Restaurant, a Japanese restaurant and event space in Brooklyn, will host the first edition of VinNatur NYC .

The event – a tasting table where 40 member producers will be present with over 200 wines for tasting – will be developed with a hybrid formula over two days: Sunday 12 January, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, it will be open to both the public and industry professionals, while Monday 13 January, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, it will be reserved exclusively for journalists and industry professionals. The format was born from the experience gained in over fifteen years of events organized in Italy and abroad by the association which today has 300 member producers from 12 different countries and united by the aim of wanting to create a product that is good for man but also for nature and the environment. VinNatur is the only association of natural winemakers to guarantee, through its production protocol established in 2017, that all wines produced and bottled by companies fall within pre-established parameters, to protect the consumer.

“This new collective meeting in New York It is certainly an opportunity to better understand our way of interpreting viticulture and our production philosophy that respects what surrounds us, themes that have always been dear to the American market – explains Gianpaolo Giacobbo , Advisor of VinNatur –. But, very concretely, it also presents itself as an excellent opportunity to encourage the meeting of associated winemakers with importers and distributors in the Canadian and US markets”.

In addition to the 40 producers who will tell their stories through glasses and will be able to interact directly with visitors, a tasting counter will be available with an additional 50 references from 25 other associated producers, managed by a sommelier service. The two-day event will be preceded by a calendar of evenings , created specifically for the occasion, in selected New York venues.

Tickets to VinNatur NYC can be purchased starting in November through the Eventbrite platform. Importers, distributors, retailers, restaurant and wine bar owners can request accreditation for the event starting in mid-November, while journalists can already submit their request by writing to press@vinnatur.org .

VinNatur NYC at a glance:

When : Sunday 12th and Monday 13th January 2025
Where : Rule of Thirds Restaurant, Brooklyn, New York City
Opening hours to the public : Sunday from 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm, Monday from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Entrance: Tickets can be purchased online starting from November
Website: www.vinnatur.org/evento/vinnatur-nyc/

VinNatur was founded in 2006 with the aim of uniting small producers of natural wine, from Italy and Europe, in an association that allows them to promote their products: wines that are the result of healthy agriculture that excludes the use of pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers, favoring natural practices. At the same time, the Association aims to promote the development of specific skills in the viticultural and natural oenological field. Over the years, the number of member producers has grown significantly, reaching the current 300 companies from twelve different nations.

Guided tastings, events in the square, in the historic center and a large conference on Sicily European Gastronomic Region 2025. On Sunday the final event of Festi Group with aerial dances in the sky of Menfi, on Saturday in the square Dj Molella from Radio Deejay.

All set for Inycon which returns to Menfi after 5 years: From Friday 4th to Sunday 6th October 2024 , Menfi, Italian City of Wine 2023 , will become the beating heart of Sicilian food and wine, offering three days full of events, tastings and shows. Great anticipation for the final show by Festi Group “ Taccuini di Viaggio ”, scheduled for Sunday at the end of the event: a show that will create a magnificent weaving of dances in the sky, on earth and in the water. The city of Belize, in addition to the wine that represents its main product, today also celebrates the oil, the food and the naturalistic beauties that over the years have become a destination for tourists and travellers: ” we are ready to celebrate the local excellences in a context of fun and shows – says the Mayor Vito Clemente – the Inycon festival wants to continue to be a point of reference for the big events on the island and for this reason it has been included, also for next year in the Calendar of Events of great tourist appeal 2024 and 2025 of the Sicilian Region”. Wine, oil, gastronomy and tourism are today the pillars on which the Menfi system is based and which will be at the centre of the twenty-sixth edition of Inycon : it starts on Friday 4 October with activities for schools, in-depth seminars, the taste laboratory with Alessio Vascellaro of Fooddie , the masterclasses with the President of AIS Sicily Francesco Baldacchino ( Menfi: a terroir, 5 souls) and the wine critic Monica Coluccia ( White wines: from Menfi towards France ) and then concludes in the square with the show by the cabaret artist Antonio Pandolfo . Saturday morning dedicated to “ Sicily, European Region of Gastronomy 2025: how to integrate tourism and gastronomy to promote regional development ”, a conference accredited by the Order of Journalists of Sicily , where representatives of local and regional politics, food and wine and personalities from the world of tourism will participate, followed by the workshop “ L’agroalimentare del Belìce ” with the CI.VA.BE project and the course on oil with Carmen Bonfante and Damiano Licata (which will also be repeated the following day). The afternoon continues with the Urban tour (also scheduled for Sunday), the taste laboratory with Angelo Pumilia from La Foresteria Planeta , the tasting on “ Ancient vines ” by Giacomo Ansaldi (Regional Department of Agriculture) and Antonio Sparacio (IRVO) and then the one conducted by Monica Coluccia on “ Red wines: from Menfi towards France ”. In the evening, the presentation of the “ Oil on Earth” project, the adhesion ceremony of the Municipality of Menfi to the National Association of Oil Cities and the show in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele III with Dj Molella of Radio Deejay . The last day is dedicated to extemporaneous painting, the taste laboratory with Andrea Severino of Le 4 Stagioni , the tasting with the Women of Wine and the one on dessert wines by Gianni Giardina (IRVO). The grand finale in the square on Sunday 6 October with the eagerly awaited show “ Travel Notebooks ” by Festi Group and the Anima Ignis Company. Every day, the Food and Wine Village with the exhibition and tastings of excellent food and wine products from the Terre Sicane, the Expo village with the exhibition of artisan products, tradition and local and Sicilian culture, the Wine Bar and the courtyards

The 2024 harvest in Italy looks set to be a year of strong contrasts, with a drop in production, but generally excellent grape quality.

Despite the challenges posed by climate change, Italy maintains its world record as the largest wine producer, with an estimated 41 million hectoliters.

Veneto: Last Days of Harvest and First Estimates

In Veneto , the grape harvest is now in its final stages, although in some areas the harvest will continue for a few more weeks. Initial estimates indicate a slightly lower production compared to previous years, but the quality remains satisfactory. Nicola Zaggia , president of Stradone del Friularo, confirmed that, despite a difficult year, local producers can count on a good quality product.

However, concerns remain about rising production costs and economic difficulties related to access to credit, as highlighted by Luca Rigotti , president of the wine sector of Fedagripesca/Confcooperative . Despite these issues, Rigotti confirmed Italy’s leadership in the sector, while highlighting the need to address climate change and the problem of generational turnover.

Climate and Bad Weather Divide Italy

Climate change played a key role in the 2024 grape harvest, dividing Italy in two. In the North, bad weather and hailstorms significantly reduced the amount of grapes harvested, while in the South there were delays of 10-15 days in the harvest due to drought. Organic vineyards in particular were put to the test, forced to resort to more intense phytosanitary defense.

In Bolgheri , a storm on September 23 flooded numerous vineyards, endangering the ongoing harvest, especially for varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon .

Sicily: Excellent Quality but Halved Production

In Sicily , the 2024 harvest suffered a 50% decline due to high temperatures and prolonged drought. However, the quality of the grapes remained excellent, confirming the region’s reputation for producing high-end wines. The DOC Sicilia Consortium predicts a vintage of great longevity, despite the production difficulties.

A Glass Half Empty for Many Producers

Many Italian producers are looking at the 2024 harvest with mixed feelings. While the quality of the grapes has been generally positive, the lack of adequate institutional support is worrying. The Consorzio Vini has highlighted the lack of concrete interventions in favor of the sector, which continues to suffer from high costs and difficulties related to climate change.

Events and Traditions of the Harvest

Despite the challenges, the 2024 harvest is also an occasion for celebration. In Tuscany , the season is experienced with enthusiasm, thanks to the numerous harvest festivals that enliven the local villages. Young people, families and wine enthusiasts participate in events that celebrate the region’s winemaking tradition.

At a national level, the Cantine Aperte in Vendemmia event, promoted by the Movimento Turismo del Vino , is also back, with a special theme for 2024: “La Merenda in Vendemmia” . September and October will see hundreds of wineries open their doors to visitors for tastings and picnics among the rows, offering an authentic experience throughout Italy.

Conclusion

The 2024 harvest in Italy ends with a contrasting balance: on the one hand, the world record with 41 million hectoliters, on the other, a drop in production due to extreme weather conditions. However, the quality of the grapes and the excellence of Italian wine continue to shine, supporting our country’s reputation as a leader in the sector. There is no shortage of challenges, but the Italian wine industry remains resilient, ready to face the future with determination.

A thousand professionals participated in Lovely Wines, organized by AGB Selezione at Palazzo Brancaccio: an opportunity for discussion and growth, with more than 200 labels for tasting.

The first Roman edition of Lovely Wines, the open day with portfolio tasting of AGB Selezione, recorded a significant participation with a thousand professionals of the sector present at Palazzo Brancaccio.

On Monday, September 23 , in this 19th-century setting immersed in the greenery of the gardens on Colle Oppio, over 200 labels were put up for tasting , allowing participants to discover wines from the most renowned Italian and European wine regions. The large turnout highlighted the strong interest in the new products and collaborations presented by the group.

” The wine sector is going through a difficult period, influenced not only by the difficult global economic situation, but also by significant changes in consumer habits. For the first time, a traditional sector like ours is having to deal with new trends, ” said Massimo Ferrari, sole director of AGB Selezione . ” The market is proving to be increasingly demanding and competitive, favoring fresh, dynamic wines with reasonable alcohol content. Despite this, I remain confident that high-quality wines, capable of telling a story, will acquire ever greater appeal. In this transition phase, an ever-increasing level of professionalism is required ,” he concluded.

Lovely Wines was much more than a simple exhibition of labels: a real journey to discover the excellence of wine not only from Italy, but also from abroad, with a focus on French, German and Spanish wines, which constitute an important part of the AGB Selezione portfolio . One of the central elements was the introduction of new companies in the catalogue. Among these were Fabio Motta in Bolgheri, of which Agricole Gussalli Beretta recently acquired a majority share, and among the international new entries Domaine Pierre Thibert , a producer from Burgundy, and two renowned Champagne Houses: Villa Bon Accueil and Penet-Chardonnet Grand Cru .

This breadth of offering, which goes beyond national borders, demonstrates AGB’s commitment to meeting the needs of an increasingly demanding market that is also interested in internationalization. Lovely Wines represented a unique opportunity for direct comparison between producers and professionals , as well as an ideal moment to consolidate relationships and discuss future trends in the wine market.

During the event, guests also had the opportunity to learn more about the six Italian wineries owned by the group : Lo Sparviere (Franciacorta), Castello di Radda (Chianti Classico), Orlandi Contucci Ponno (Colline Teramane), Fortemasso (Barolo), Steinhaus (Bassa Atesina) and, starting in 2024, Fabio Motta (Bolgheri). AGB Selezione distributes wines produced by 49 companies , for a total of over 300 labels. In addition to those owned, it distributes 18 Italian and 25 foreign ones . This variety allows the group to position itself as a point of reference in the wine scene, representing and promoting not only Italian excellence, but also some of the best European labels.