Italian wine, wineries, international markets and wine events.
Champagne on the rise, California vineyards declining, Franciacorta gaining popularity, and new opportunities for Italian wine tourism. These are the key wine industry news for October 21, 2026, including innovation, investments, business trends, and wine-related events.
1. Italian wineries: companies, investments, and innovation
Terradesa: Sustainable Viticulture between Varese and Novara
Erica Battaglioli and Carlo Cioci are developing a winemaking project between Cassano Magnago and Mezzomerico. In their Varese vineyards, they are experimenting with PIWI-resistant varieties, including Solaris, Johanniter, and Souvignier Gris, with the support of winemaker Mario Falcetti.
Torrevilla: 2026 harvest anticipated in Oltrepò Pavese
The cooperative began harvesting on August 4th, one of the earliest dates in the area. The sparkling wine bases were harvested within ten days, with good quality results. The red grape production was lower due to the heat.
Count Vistarino presents Ottavia 2021
The Oltrepò Pavese winery is launching a Pinot Noir produced in 3,300 bottles, made from a north-facing vineyard at 460 meters above sea level. The project, spearheaded by Ottavia Giorgi di Vistarino, also accompanies the company’s image revamp.
Arianna Occhipinti invests in hospitality in Sicily
The winemaker, along with her cousins Giovanni and Paolo, acquired the historic Pianogrillo estate in Chiaramonte Gulfi. The project includes a country inn, approximately ten guest rooms, and a new winery.
Le Monde inaugurates the Wine Garden in Friuli
The Maccan family opens a space in Prata di Pordenone dedicated to tastings, events, and hospitality. The Wine Garden showcases Le Monde and La Ponca wines, integrating wine tourism, gastronomy, and landscape.
Cascina Castlèt awarded for its accessibility
Mariuccia Borio’s winery in Costigliole d’Asti has won the 2026 Wine Hospitality Award in the accessibility category. The winery’s spaces are wheelchair accessible and the website is accessible to people with visual impairments.
I Vini di Maremma Winery: Research on Native Yeasts
The cooperative is collaborating with the Leopoldo II Agricultural Institute of Lorena and the Crisba center in Grosseto to test two strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast isolated from Vermentino grapes, with scientific verification by the CREA of Asti.
Foss Marai presents its sparkling wines in Milan
The Guia di Valdobbiadene winery promotes Cartizze, Brut Guia, and Roös rosé. The Biasiotto family-owned company focuses on high-end sparkling wines and distribution in restaurants, hotels, and wine shops.
Passo delle Tortore inaugurates its new winery in Irpinia.
In Pietradefusi, Campania, the De Girolamo sisters and Ilaria Facchiano present their new company project. At its core, it focuses on enhancing the local area, producing quality products, and engaging the younger generations.
2. Italian wine and oenology: markets, consumption and trends
Franciacorta known by 94% of Italians
According to an Ipsos Doxa survey commissioned by the Franciacorta Consortium, 94% of Italians are familiar with the appellation, 75% have tasted it at least once, and 50% say they consume it. This result is also supported by collaborations with fashion, sports, food, and culture.
Italian Agritourism: 33 Million Tourists in 2026
According to Isnart, since the beginning of the year, 33 million tourists have chosen experiences related to nature, culture, and food and wine, including 18.5 million foreigners. Eight percent seek visits to wineries, oil mills, and Wine Routes. The more than 25,000 agritourism establishments represent an important resource for the regions.
Asolo Montello: The Enoteca Diffusa is born
The Asolo Montello Wine Consortium promotes a wine tourism network involving wineries, restaurants, accommodations, and cultural operators in 18 municipalities. The project includes a digital platform and training activities, starting with a membership of 475.
Edoardo Freddi International grows in the United States
In the first half of 2026, EFI recorded a 12% increase in volume and 8% in value in the US, despite the decline in wine imports. Positive results were also achieved in Russia and in volumes in Japan. Among the most important products are Prosecco, Pinot Grigio, Montepulciano, and Pecorino.
Alcohol-Free Wines: The Evolving Italian Market
During Sober October, there’s growing interest in alcohol-free and low-alcohol products. In Italy, the sector is growing at an estimated 15%, while the global alcohol-free wine market is worth approximately $2.4 billion. Caviro, Argea, and other operators are investing in the sector.
Morellino di Scansano: Four wines awarded Tre Bicchieri
Gambero Rosso’s 2027 Vini d’Italia guide honors Fattorie Le Pupille, Provveditore, Cantina Vignaioli Scansano, and Roccapesta. This recognition recognizes the quality and expressive variety of Maremma Sangiovese.
Wine must return to speaking a simple language
Fabio Diego Morsello Angileri, Sicilian winemaker and oenologist at Millami, warns against overly technical communication, which can alienate consumers. The goal is to make wine understandable and accessible.
Asti: Producers and restaurants join forces to promote wine culture.
Luca Ferraris, Stefano Chiarlo and the Il Podestà restaurant are promoting an initiative between October and November dedicated to wine by the glass, food pairings and balanced prices, with particular attention to a young public.
The Cotarella Family: A New Dialogue with Young People
The project “Shall we have a glass? Why not!” promotes more immediate communication about wine culture. The next event is October 24th in Milan, during Milan Wine Week.
Falstaff Bar Guide Italia 2027: wine bars and wineries protagonists
The guide highlights four establishments in Milan, Rome, Verona, and Florence. Among them is Remedy in Milan, with approximately 6,000 labels and over 18,000 bottles, an example of a winery that combines selection, expertise, and hospitality.
David Khayat receives the Civiltà del Vino Award
The French oncologist, honored by the Masi Foundation, recounts his cultural and personal relationship with wine, emphasizing its historical, regional, and convivial value. A personal account, distinct from medical advice on the risks of alcohol.
3. International: markets, exports and world viticulture
Champagne: Most Valuable Brands Overtake Still Wine
According to Brand Finance 2026, the top ten global Champagne and wine brands are worth a combined $8.2 billion. Moët & Chandon leads the ranking with $2.3 billion (12%), followed by Veuve Clicquot with $1.4 billion (39%). Dom Pérignon grows by 21%, while several still wine brands decline in value.
California: Over 19,000 hectares of vineyards uprooted
Between August 2025 and August 2026, more than 19,000 hectares of vineyards were eliminated. According to the California Association of Winegrape Growers, the remaining acreage is approximately 177,700 hectares. The main causes are overproduction, declining consumption, and grape prices insufficient to support producers.
Canada: Lambrusco Finds New Opportunities in Ontario
The share of Italian wine in the Ontario market has increased from 21% to 25% since March 2025. Interest in fresh, light, and sparkling wines is growing. The Lambrusco Consortium will participate in a trade mission to Toronto on October 28th and 29th with ten Italian wineries.
Italian wine tourism: strong interest from the United States
According to AITE research for Vinitaly, 79% of Americans surveyed associate Italy with authentic food and wine experiences, and 47% consider a trip with wine tourism activities desirable in the next 24 months. Sicily, Tuscany, and Piedmont are among the most attractive regions.
France: Lérins Abbey combines vineyards and cultural tourism
On the island of Saint-Honorat, near Cannes, Lérins Abbey represents an example of the integration of viticulture, historical heritage, Mediterranean landscape, and tourism.
4. Wine events: fairs, tastings and appointments
Calendar of events mentioned in the review, with dates indicated in the original news.
| Date | Event and location |
| October 24 – November 8 | 54th DOC and DOCG Colli Euganei Wine Exhibition, Luvigliano (PD), together with the San Martino Festival |
| October 24–25 | Autumn Festival and Divinum in Vinum, Concordia Sagittaria (VE), with tastings and local products |
| October 24th | “Shall we have a glass of wine? Why not!”, Milan, Cotarella Family Project |
| October 25–26 | Gambero Rosso – Tre Bicchieri, La Nuvola, Rome, with presentation of the 2027 Italian Wine Guide |
| October 26–27 | Vinitaly.USA 2026, New York, promoting Italian wine |
| October 28–29 | Lambrusco Mission to Canada, Toronto, with Ten Italian Wineries |
| November 14–15 | Eroica Val di Non 2026, Novella (TN), meetings and tastings on mountain viticulture |
| February 1–4, 2027 | Hospitality, Riva del Garda (TN), with the Design for Food project |
Derthona on Tour: Timorasso takes center stage in Rome
The stop at WeGil highlighted Timorasso dei Colli Tortonesi, a Piedmontese grape variety revived thanks in part to the pioneering work of Walter Massa. The focus was on the territorial identity and the ability of white wines to evolve.
Vini ad Arte 2026 moves to Milan
The Consorzio Vini di Romagna has chosen Milan to promote Albana, Sangiovese, and the Romagna subzones to professionals, distributors, restaurateurs, and journalists.
Winemakers in the Brewery: Artisanal Wine and Brewing Culture in Rome
The Be.Re. venue in Piazza Risorgimento brings together the worlds of artisanal wine and beer, showcasing independent production and new tasting opportunities.
5. Trends to follow in the wine sector
Five significant signals emerge from the news of October 21st for producers, winery owners, and investors:
- Brand value becomes crucial: the growth of Champagne and the notoriety of Franciacorta confirm the importance of commercial positioning.
- Production must adapt to demand: the uprootings in California demonstrate the consequences of imbalances between supply, consumption, and profitability.
- Wine tourism expands revenue opportunities: hospitality, catering, and local networks become complementary activities to wine production.
- Consumers and markets are changing: fresh, light wines, sparkling wines and alcohol-free products require new commercial strategies.
- Innovation and accessibility create value: wine research, sustainability, and inclusive hospitality contribute to companies’ competitiveness.
The WINEIDEA – FORBUS perspective
The wine market is undergoing a transformation that affects production, distribution, consumption, and corporate assets. For Italian wineries, the challenge is not just to produce quality wines, but to build businesses capable of sustaining margins, promoting the region, diversifying revenues, and identifying new business opportunities.
For those looking to invest in, acquire, or enhance the value of a winery, it’s increasingly important to evaluate assets, production organization, brand, markets, and development potential.
Press review by WINEIDEA – October 21, 2026. Editorial summary of the news provided, not subjected to independent verification.
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See you tomorrow with new news from the world of wine.