Italian wineries, Italian wine producers, and current wine news.
Good morning,
Wine Idea presents a new summary of the main news from the wine sector
Italian and international.
Italian Wineries
Villa Sandi invests in smart viticulture. Sensors, drones, satellites, and weather stations enable the management of over 200 hectares between Veneto and Friuli, reducing water consumption and pesticide use and improving sustainability.
Planeta focuses on wine tourism and the region. For Francesca Planeta, wine is the region’s main ambassador. Growth depends on hospitality, infrastructure, local storytelling, and engaging new generations.
Cantine Federiciane promotes its volcanic vineyards. The historic Campi Flegrei winery continues to promote its winemaking heritage through the Cigliano vineyard, a symbol of the connection between landscape and quality.
Figliej: sustainability and landscape restoration. The Piedmontese winery invests in the restoration of historic vineyards and the protection of the agricultural landscape, also integrating sheep farming into land management.
Madrevite expands wine tourism. The Umbrian winery expands its offerings with vineyard picnics, tastings, and experiential tourism.
Tenuta Stella is the star of the summer. The Ribolla Gialla Pas Dosé Metodo Classico confirms the value of high-quality Friulian sparkling wines.
Italian Wine and Oenology
2026 Harvest: Major Climate Uncertainty. Assoenologi, Ismea, and UIV are abandoning traditional national forecasts due to unstable weather. The consortia report an early harvest, generally good quality, and stable or slightly higher production compared to 2025.
Alto Adige and Friuli are bringing forward the harvest. The first grapes will be harvested as early as mid-August. The heat accelerates ripening but poses concerns about quality and water availability.
Italian wine must focus on realism. Historian Gianni Moriani urges the sector to face change without ideologies, valorizing the extraordinary diversity of Italian wine.
Italian Rosés increasingly prominent Over fifty denominations now include Rosé in their specifications, confirming the growth of this type on the markets.
DOP exports slow down According to Nomisma Wine Monitor, exports of Italian DOP wines decreased by 6.2% in value, despite confirming the leadership of Prosecco and the growth of Asti Spumante.
Spritz continues to drive Prosecco A study by the Universities of Turin and Verona shows how the popularity of Spritz has significantly boosted the export of Italian Prosecco.
Digital viticulture Sensors installed directly on the plants allow for real-time monitoring of the health of the vineyards and prevention of water stress and disease.
Simei 2026 Winemaking innovation will be increasingly oriented towards preserving the identity, aromas, and territorial characteristics of wines.
Viticulture Authorizations: New authorized plantings and yield reductions for some Umbrian DOCs have been published.
International Scenario
European agri-food sector improves trade balance In the first five months of 2026, imports decreased more than exports, increasing the European Union’s trade surplus.
Rothschild: Tradition and Innovation Philippe Sereys de Rothschild emphasizes how the future of European wine requires a balance between historical identity, innovation, and climate adaptation.
Decanter World Wine Awards 2026 Italy wins over 2,000 medals and six wines enter the world Top 50, confirming the excellence of Italian wine.
Wine Events
Calici di Stelle 2026 In Sicily, 31 wineries and five municipalities are participating with a rich program dedicated to wine tourism.
ViVa Vini Valtellina From September 12th, tastings, trekking, e-bikes and visits to Valtellina wineries.
Nose Art Festival Scacciadiavoli transforms the cellar into a cultural space dedicated to smell and immersive experiences.
Fiano Love Fest Tenuta Scuotto organizes guided tours of the vineyard and cellar before the start of the event.
Street Books Sardinia Laura Donadoni presents the book Basta una goccia at the Quartomoro Winery.
Città del Vino Competition : Best urban planning practices dedicated to protecting wine-growing landscapes are awarded.
AIS Protocol: The agreement between the Ministries and the AIS has been renewed to promote the culture of wine and oil and protect Italian products.
In Brief
Coldiretti predicts one of the earliest harvests in history.
Agea inaugurates the new National Agricultural Training Center.
Veronafiere appoints Giovanni Sacripante as its new General Manager.
Exhibition on the historic Prosecco landscape in the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Hills.
Summer wine tips for hot weather.
Limoncello Spritz is one of the summer’s star cocktails.
A historical overview of the “Rockea – From Wine to Water” charity project.
Regulatory updates for the craft beer sector.
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Italian wineries, Italian wine producers, and current wine news.
Good morning,
Wine Idea presents a new summary of the main news from the Italian and international wine sector.
ITALIAN WINERIES
Tommasi Family Estates focuses on growth through aggregation
The Verona-based group confirms its expansion strategy through acquisitions and a multi-brand portfolio, considered essential for competing on international markets.
Cantina Tollo expands its vineyard portfolio
Thanks to the “Vigneto Avanzato” project, the cooperative acquired 133 new hectares, exceeding its total of 2,490 hectares, ensuring greater profitability for its members and promoting native grape varieties.
Castignano finds stability again
President Omar Traini withdraws his resignation after the members’ unanimous support, confirming the continuity of management of the historic cooperative winery in the Marche region.
Ferraris Agricola grows despite the market
In the first six months of 2026, it recorded a 6% turnover and 15% share of Ruchè sales, confirming the good performance of the denomination.
Vigne Storte Winery
The Campania-based company continues to invest in sustainability, renewable energy, and promoting the local area through wines with strong identities.
Olianas Estate
The Sardinian winery consolidates its model based on biodynamics, regenerative agriculture, and the valorization of native grape varieties.
Centopassi
Libera Terra cooperatives confirm that quality winemaking, organic farming, and social commitment can coexist, creating economic and cultural value.
Cormòns Producers’ Cellar
The Pinot Bianco from the Friulian cooperative is considered among the best in Italy for its quality-price ratio, highlighting the work of over 100 winemaking families.
ITALIAN WINE AND OENOLOGY
The first wine guide was born in the Middle Ages
The first descriptions of Italian vines date back to the “Liber Ruralium Commodorum” by Pier de’ Crescenzi (1305), considered one of the first works dedicated to Italian oenology.
Restaurant markups: a proposal from Ricci Curbastro
The president of Equalitas proposes replacing the traditional multiplicative markup with a fixed margin, making prices more transparent and sustainable.
The bubbles that are the stars of summer
Among the best recommended labels are Italian Prosecco Superiore, Franciacorta, TrentoDoc, Durello, Lambrusco and Metodo Classico.
Summer 2026: Consumption of chilled red wines on the rise
A new market trend is emerging towards light, sparkling red wines consumed at low temperatures.
2026 harvest at historic lows
From Trapani to Franciacorta, the harvest begins 7-10 days early, confirming the effects of climate change.
Franciacorta: first harvest of July
For the first time in history, the grape harvest begins on July 30th, an event defined as extraordinary by the Consortium.
Passito di Pantelleria to President Mattarella
On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Pantelleria National Park, the President of the Republic receives a commemorative bottle of the famous Passito DOC.
Agricultural Consortia of Italy Grows in the Northeast
A transaction worth more than €81 million has been completed with the entry of the Friuli Venezia Giulia and Treviso-Belluno Agricultural Consortia.
Vine defense
Technical meetings against Flavescence Dorée in Piedmont.
Powdery mildew is increasingly being fought with preventative strategies.
New multifunctional irrigation techniques improve the quality and resistance of grapes to heat.
Agriculture
A tax credit of up to 20% for agricultural diesel fuel is coming.
Hailstorms in Piedmont are compromising up to 80% of crops in some wine-growing areas.
INTERNATIONAL
Fires threaten Europe’s major vineyards
France and Spain are facing fires that are threatening wine production, with particular attention to the phenomenon of “smoke taint.”
The market for no- and low-alcohol wines is growing.
According to IWSR, strong growth in consumption continues in the main global markets, especially among younger consumers.
Champagne increasingly a protagonist of wine tourism
The Maisons and small vignerons are registering a growing international tourist interest.
Champagne: the earliest harvest in history
In France, too, climate change is bringing the grape harvest forward by about two weeks compared to the historical average.
The excellence of the Classic Method
An in-depth look at the best sparkling wines produced using the classic method, from Champagne to Italy’s major appellations.
WINE EVENTS
Wine Nights – Friuli Venezia Giulia
From July 31st to August 1st, events will take place in Corno di Rosazzo, Povoletto, Duino Aurisina, and Pocenia, featuring tastings and initiatives dedicated to wine culture.
Modena: a tasting tour of Emilian excellence
An experience dedicated to the great wines and typical products of Emilia-Romagna in the historic center of Modena.
Etna protagonist
The “Vulcano, Vineyards, and Hospitality” masterclass highlights Carricante and the connection between wine, territory, and wine tourism.
Valtidone Wine Fest 2026
Four Sundays in September dedicated to the wines of the Piacenza Hills, with tastings, shows, and events in the villages of the Tidone Valley.
OltreGusto 2026
Oltrepò Pavese hosts two evenings dedicated to the area’s gastronomic identity, featuring local chefs, restaurants, and wineries.
The most relevant news of the day
The 2026 harvest was brought forward throughout Italy, marking the first July harvest in Franciacorta’s history.
Tommasi Family Estates confirms its growth model through aggregation and multi-branding.
Cantina Tollo expands its vineyard area with another 133 hectares.
No and Low Alcohol wines are growing in the main international markets.
Fires in France and Spain are putting some of Europe’s most important wine-growing areas at risk.
A tax credit for agricultural diesel fuel is now available, and investments in vineyard protection and agronomic innovation continue.
See you at the next show.
Italian wineries, Italian wine producers, and current wine news.
Good morning,
Wine Idea presents a new summary of the main news from the Italian and international wine sector.
Italian Wineries
2026 harvest without official forecasts. For the first time, Assoenologi, UIV, and Ismea are abandoning the traditional September estimates. Climate instability makes forecasts too uncertain, and data will only be released at the end of the harvest.
Riccardo Cotarella: The sector needs to be rebalanced. The president of Assoenologi (Italian Wine Association) proposes a temporary halt to new vineyards, reduced yields, targeted uprooting, and crisis distillation to address overproduction, declining consumption, and struggling exports. Harvest begins early. The first harvests are already underway in Sicily, Franciacorta, Oltrepò Pavese, and the Vicenza area. Weather conditions have accelerated grape ripening, and quality expectations are positive, despite a challenging year. Cantina Tollo grows with the “Vigneto Avanzato” (Advanced Vineyard). The Abruzzo-based cooperative is expanding its vineyard holdings by 133 hectares, introducing a model that remunerates members based on the area cultivated, rather than the quintals produced. DOC Friuli towards Ribolla Gialla still and Rosé. The Consortium has begun modifying the regulations to expand the designation, following evolving international demand. Berlucchi invests in the Oltrepò Pavese. Paolo Ziliani aims to enhance the area, following the successful model established in Franciacorta through quality and collaboration between producers. Quagliano, the rebirth of the Saluzzo hills. New wineries led by young winemakers are reviving this historic Piedmontese grape variety with organic and strongly territorial viticulture.
Italian Wine and Oenology
European Exports Continue to Decline. In the first four months of 2026, Italy recorded a 6.2% decline in exports of PDO wines. White and sparkling wines held up better, while red wines continued to suffer on international markets.
Too Much Wine in the Cellar Inventories reach record levels: approximately 59 million hectoliters in Italy. Calls to reduce production potential are growing, and uprooting is no longer considered taboo. Red Even in Summer. Winemaker Graziana Grassini recalls how climate change has made many red wines softer and fresher, even ideal when served at 14-16°C during the summer season. Costaripa Relaunches Rosé Culture. Rosé is presented as an expression of dedicated viticulture and a territorial identity built over over a century of history in Valtènesi. Experiences and Territory . Stories continue dedicated to organic viticulture in Friuli, the cellars of Collio, the monasteries that still produce wine, Piedmontese wines for aperitifs, and restaurants nestled among the vineyards of the Langhe. Inspections at Cantine Aperte. In the Montefalco area, a winery was reported for organizing a public performance without the necessary permits during the event.
International Markets
Louis Roederer enters Burgundy The historic Champagne group acquires Domaine Pierre Damoy, its first investment in Burgundy in its 250-year history.
An 1811 Riesling up for auction An extremely rare bottle from Weingut Bassermann-Jordan is being offered on Catawiki with an estimate between 10,000 and 13,000 euros.
Wine Events
Franciacorta in Cantina Festival From September 18th to 20th, tastings, visits, and meetings with producers to promote the Franciacorta region and culture.
Wine Nights in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Four events featuring tastings, music, culture, and the promotion of regional food and wine excellence. Città del Vino International Wine Competition. The Piedmontese wineries that won the international competition for denomination wines will be awarded in Casale Monferrato. Piacenza Expo 2026 Wine Fair launches a photography contest dedicated to vineyard work and the culture of conviviality, open to professional and amateur photographers. Le Manzane opens registration for the Solidarity Harvest. The traditional charity event among the vineyards of Conegliano Valdobbiadene returns, scheduled for September 6th.
In summary
The day is dominated by three main themes:
2026 harvest : unpredictable weather, early harvest, and abandonment of official estimates.
Wine market : exports still declining, high inventories and demand to rebalance production potential.
Positive signs : investments in major denominations, growth in wine tourism, new regulations, and the promotion of local areas through cultural events and initiatives.
See you at the next show.
Italian wineries, Italian wine producers, and current wine news.
Good morning,
Wine Idea presents a new summary of the main news from the Italian and international wine sector.
Italian Wineries
Novacella Abbey: 900 Years of History in the Sylvaner Alps
Novacella Abbey confirms Sylvaner as the iconic wine of the Isarco Valley, recounting nearly nine centuries of South Tyrolean viticulture.
Venica & Venica looks to new markets
The historic Collio winery is responding to the slowdown in consumption and international markets by focusing on exports, innovation, and new products in preparation for its centenary in 2030.
Cantina del Taburno relaunches the Sannio region
After acquiring the cooperative, Enzo Rillo invested over 10 million euros with the goal of increasing production from 1 to 5 million bottles.
Cantina Tollo expands its vineyard portfolio
The group acquires 133 hectares of new vineyards, strengthening its project to promote Abruzzo winemakers.
Alessio Atzeni presents the first Vermentino
“Crabì” is born, the first Vermentino di Sardegna DOC from the Santadi winery, alongside the historic Carignano del Sulcis.
Farewell to Emidio Pepe
One of the great pioneers of Italian winemaking, a key figure in the international promotion of Montepulciano and Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, has passed away at the age of 94.
Italian Wine and Oenology
Exports slow, but Prosecco continues to grow
The sector is undergoing a transformation: consumption and exports are declining, inventories are increasing, while Prosecco continues to represent a positive exception.
Sicily: The 2026 grape harvest begins
The Sicilia DOC begins a harvest that will last approximately 90 days. Winter rains predict a high-quality vintage.
Early harvest throughout Italy
Veneto, Oltrepò Pavese, Maremma, San Colombano, and Franciacorta are seeing early harvests up to ten days thanks to the high temperatures. Quality is promising, but quantity remains to be determined.
Sandro Bottega: they serve dealcoholized wines
To reduce surpluses and attract new consumers, the Veneto producer identifies dealcoholization as one of the sector’s main future opportunities.
Drink in moderation
Scientific evidence confirms that risk depends on the amount of alcohol consumed. Experts promote a culture of responsible drinking.
Sulfites and driving
A university study analyzes the influence of sulfites on driving, but urges caution when interpreting the results.
Red in summer
More and more producers are offering fresh, light red wines served at low temperatures, adapting to new summer drinking styles.
Red wine even in summer
Winemaker Graziana Grassini highlights how climate change has made many reds softer and more suitable for the warmer months.
CIA Umbria: a strategy is needed
The sector requires long-term structural planning and no longer emergency interventions.
International
Champagne: Joseph Perrier presents Les Chalmonts 2020
The Maison completes its parcel collection with a 100% Chardonnay Premier Cru from Cumières.
Wales moves towards first natural wine denomination
Welsh producers are working on the possible first Geographical Indication dedicated exclusively to natural wines.
Nomacorc Ocean
Bottle caps made from plastic recovered from coastal waters continue to spread across wineries around the world, contributing to the circular economy and protecting the oceans.
The Future of Wine According to Julien Viaud
The French winemaker predicts lower global production but increasingly higher quality, with new wine-growing areas set to emerge.
Wine Events
The Nights of Wine – Castelvetro
Lambrusco, food, music, and stargazing enliven one of the most anticipated events of the Emilian summer.
Goblets of Stars – Monteforte d’Alpone
Soave meets seafood cuisine in two evenings dedicated to tastings, shows, and music.
The Nights of Wine – Oristano
Vernaccia di Oristano is the star of an event dedicated to wine, culture, and the region’s finest products.
Morbegno in the Cellar
Three weekends dedicated to Valtellina wines with tastings, e-bike tours, wellness experiences, and alcohol-free itineraries.
Franciacorta Festival in the Cellar
From September 18th to 20th, wine tourism becomes a cultural experience, with visits, meetings, and insights into the area.
Innovation, sustainability and agriculture
The “Coltiviamo Agricoltura Sociale 2026” call for proposals is now open, with grants of up to €40,000 for social agriculture projects.
Nomacorc Ocean continues to expand its circular economy project, recovering nearly 8 tons of plastic in 2025 alone.
There is growing attention to sustainability, organic production, innovation, and new production models throughout the winemaking supply chain.
Featured today
Italian wine exports still under pressure.
Prosecco and sparkling wines continue to support the market.
The 2026 harvest was one of the earliest in decades.
Generally very good grape quality, with uncertainties regarding yields.
Increasing attention to sustainability, dealcoholized wines, innovation, and wine tourism.
The sector is undergoing a phase of structural transformation that requires new commercial and production strategies.
See you at the next show.