From masterclasses to a partnership with the Marco Polo Hotel Institute, this edition brings natural wine to the heart of the City of the Lanterna.
Taste , learn , and meet winemakers: VinNatur Genova expands the narrative of natural wine through training sessions, educational collaborations , and meetings throughout the city. On February 8th and 9th , at the Magazzini del Cotone in the Porto Antico, the event organized by VinNatur – Associazione Viticoltori Naturali (Natural Winemakers Association) brings together tastings from 90 winemakers from 17 Italian regions, accompanied by a rich program of thematic masterclasses, an educational project, and evening events with producers.
The Marco Polo Hotel Institute in Genoa has joined the 2026 edition as a partner , marking a significant step forward: students will be able to learn how to present wines to the public, understand the dynamics of a professional event, and take part in lessons dedicated to natural wine. During the masterclasses , the young people will also be involved in service , assisting the winemakers and helping to ensure a comprehensive and carefully curated tasting experience for participants.
Three events are scheduled for Sunday, February 8th, each with a different focus. At 11:30 a.m., “Microbiological Alterations of Wine ,” led by agronomist Giacomo Buscioni , will take place: an hour to learn how to recognize the main organoleptic alterations of microbiological origin through a blind tasting of samples modified in the laboratory by Food Micro Team, a specialist in the microbiology of fermented foods. This will be followed at 1:30 p.m. by “T’Indovino ,” a blind tasting challenge for couples on volcanic wines: competitive, fun, and a way to test your sensory skills without the aid of a label. At 4:00 PM, journalist and wine selector Gianpaolo Giacobbo will host Deep-dive: refermented wines, featuring four winemakers who will present two vintages of the same sparkling wine—the current one and one selected from their personal archives—to closely observe how bubbles change over time and what it means to cultivate the longevity of a style often considered immediate.
In an evolving landscape, direct dialogue between producers and the public takes on even greater value: “The wine industry is experiencing an undeniable moment of change, amid stalled commercial dynamics and economic uncertainty,” explains Gianpaolo Giacobbo . “However, I believe that if natural winemakers continue to do what they do best, promoting methods and territories, natural wine will not lose market share but, on the contrary, will attract increasingly informed consumers. In this context, events like VinNatur Genova become even more important for conveying knowledge and building valuable relationships.”
The VinNatur Genova experience is rounded out with a food area , offering gastronomic specialties from various Italian regions. These include pinsa from Genoese Farina, anchovies from Delicius, a historic Parma company, and cured meats from the Valli Unite organic farming cooperative in Costa Vescovato (AL), alongside dishes prepared by the Trattoria dell’Acciughetta bistro. The entrance ticket to the event includes a single drink . The event will be complemented by special dinners in restaurants in the City of the Lantern, showcasing the pairing of cuisine and natural wines.
The visit will be accompanied by the Meccanismi digital platform, designed to streamline the experience: a system that helps you navigate the tasting tables, create a thoughtful tasting itinerary, and avoid getting lost in the multitude of offerings. Entrance tickets can be purchased exclusively on-site: €25 per day, including a glass of wine and a drink in the food area. The masterclasses will be available for pre-sale on Meccanismi for €35, which includes the event entrance ticket.
VinNatur Genova in brief: When : Sunday, February 8th and Monday, February 9th 2026 Where : Magazzini del Cotone – Porto Antico di Genova Opening hours : both days from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Entrance : Tickets can only be purchased on-site, €25 per day including a glass for tastings and drinks in the food area. Accompanied minors do not pay admission and are not permitted to taste. Useful information for those arriving by train: – from Genova Piazza Principe station: 10/15 minutes on foot – bus 35 towards Via Vannucci, get off at Gramsci 2/Darsena metro or line 1, starting from the Marittima/Principe Fs stop, get off and terminus in Piazza Caricamento – metro, towards Brignole, get off at San Giorgio Website: www.vinnatur.org