wine news, Italian cellars and wines.
Italian wineries
Cantina Settecani closed 2024-25 with revenues of €6.7 million (up 9%). Growth driven by bottled wine and the domestic market (up 10%), with exports accounting for 30% of its revenues in 33 countries. This is a clear signal: when large-scale retail trade is booming and bottled wine is well-served, even a “historic” cooperative can accelerate its growth.
Montefiascone, grape prices falling: winemakers at the end of their tether. Significant reductions in deliveries (focus on Est! Est!! Est!!!), putting pressure on the supply chain. Hot topic: the “driving” role of cooperatives and the economic sustainability of winegrowers.
Mack & Schühle Italia acquires 75% of Vinicola Antonio Divella. This acquisition will bring the grape/bulk wine processing operations to a vertical level (facilities, storage, and industrial synergies). This represents a sign of consolidation and control of the supply chain in Puglia, with a multi-year growth plan starting in 2026.
Adriano Marco and Vittorio: identity, family, exports. Story of a “vertical” business (only own grapes) and generational/managerial transition: internal export manager, continuity and identity positioning.
Gianni Tessari’s “time capsule” (to be opened in 2050) A symbolic gesture that well expresses the mood of the sector: after a complex 2025, value today also comes from memory, method and long-term vision.
The 2026 Guido Tarlati Award goes to the Ferragamo family: Il Borro. Recognition for a model where hospitality, local area, and sustainability drive reputation (and demand).
Italian wine and Italian oenology
Etna: Carricante and Etna Bianco are growing (the numbers speak for themselves) . The appellation is expanding (areas, bottled wine, and production base). Etna confirms its trajectory: territorial identity, rarity, and altitude equal market appeal.
Alcohol-free wines: Decree approved, freight market expected to reach $3.3 billion by 2028. This regulatory step opens up operations on a par with other EU countries. This category should be viewed not as a fad, but as a new shelf: an opportunity for those with brands and channels.
Piedmont: €6.2 million for vineyard renovation (405 hectares). A concrete incentive for modernization and competitiveness: higher-performance systems, quality, and profitability. The real challenge is aligning agronomic investment and commercial strategy.
Masi, Ca’ Rugate, and Zeni featured in the Go Wine guide. Awards and mentions for hospitality, production, and wine museums: “serious” wine tourism continues to be an asset, not a side dish.
International
What will the wine market look like in 2026? Bloomberg Trends forecasts : bubbles remain strong, growth low/no, Gen Z more present (at least in the US), white and casual wines on the rise. Climate and geopolitical volatility remain the “metronome” of choice.
Why 2026 will be the year of Lambrusco (according to Bloomberg) Revaluation underway: from stereotypical wine to interesting and sought-after category, especially if linked to territory, style, quality and consistent positioning.
Consorzio Vino Chianti flies to Nigeria (Lagos, January 27, 2026) First time in Africa with 13 companies and masterclasses: an “emerging market” move with a focus on trade protection and training.
August 2025: What happened in wine (Winemag.it) Useful snapshot: harvest underway, market slowdown, complex weather pattern. A reminder: agricultural operations are accelerating, while sales often slow down.
Wine events
Agri-aperitifs in the Euganean Hills: Cà Vendalis (January 10–11) A “slow and authentic” winter format: artisanal wine and local products. An example of rural hospitality that focuses on the quality of the experience.
XVI National Truffle Dog Gathering – Canale (11 January) A highly attractive local event: culture, nature and tradition as a promotional platform (also useful for wine when it fits well with the gastronomic supply chain).
OPEN VINEYARDS 2026 – Wine Tourism Movement The “vineyard” season begins again: itineraries, sensory tastings, biodiversity, and sustainability explained in the field. Winners here are those who transform the flow into contacts and sales, not likes.
La Morra Barolo arrives in Venice. An educational and sensory journey through the crus: an excellent example of “value education” outside the region, where the denomination makes itself understood (and desired).
Focus on policy and agriculture (indirect impact on wine)
EU/CAP: Lollobrigida speaks of €10 billion for Italy and a halt to cuts between 2028 and 2034. Key topic: resources and stability for future agricultural investments (worth following, because practical translation is worth more than headlines).
Fertilizers: EU moves to suspend CBAM effects on fertilizers (Italian request) If confirmed/operational, it would reduce costs and complexity on agricultural inputs: potential impact also on viticulture (margins, planning).
Più Impresa 2025 (ISMEA): incentives for young people and women. Subsidized financing of up to €1.5 million for takeovers or expansions: a useful tool for generational transitions and growth plans (pay attention to timing, digital signature, and chronological order).
Consumption & Culture (Reading Between the Lines)
Dry January: What happens to the body and mind without alcohol for 30 days? A now global cultural trend: for wine, it’s a signal of a change of tone (moderation, functionality, low/no) rather than an “enemy.” Those who know how to position themselves well don’t suffer.
Altroconsumo: Ranking of the most popular supermarkets and discount stores. Helpful reminder: shopping remains “trusted” and local; online has little impact. For many wineries, the battle is over shelves and modern channels, not just communication.
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Wine news, Italian wineries and wines.
Italian wineries
Pievalta – Verdicchio Castelli di Jesi DOCG San Paolo Riserva 2022 Pievalta, an organic and biodynamic winery in the Marche region associated with Barone Pizzini, confirms the value of Verdicchio as a great terroir-based white wine. The 2022 Riserva San Paolo, produced only in the finest vintages, displays structure, elegance, and potential for development, strengthening the path toward a DOCG that increasingly reflects the Castelli di Jesi identity.
Aia dei Colombi Winery (Guardia Sanframondi) The Pascale family’s winery expands its range with white vermouth, red vermouth, and Aglianico chinato. This project stems from experimentation and a consistent agricultural and winemaking vision, capable of enhancing the vineyard beyond traditional wine.
Cantina Settecani closes 2025 with growth. The Modena-based cooperative closed 2025 with a turnover of €6.75 million (8.7%). Bottled wine, the domestic market, and especially exports are growing, now active in 33 countries, with strong growth in Asia and North America.
Montevetrano: enterprise, identity, and global markets The Campania winery is a prime example of Southern Italian success: an iconic wine born of passion and vision, capable of establishing itself on international markets while maintaining a strong territorial identity.
Novacella Abbey – Praepositus Wines A vertical tasting illustrates the value of time, place, and the historical continuity of one of Alto Adige’s most fascinating regions, where spirituality, terroir, and wine have coexisted for centuries.
Maremma Toscana Bevorosa 2024 – Arillo in Terrabianca A rosé designed for everyday consumption and food pairing, which interprets wine as a cultural gesture and not just a product, with a visual and stylistic language consistent with the company’s philosophy.
Cantina Produttori del Gavi: 75 years of activity. Alessandro Cazzulo confirmed as president for a second term. The historic cooperative celebrates 75 years by strengthening governance and continuity in one of Italy’s most established white appellations.
Italian wine and Italian oenology
Will 2026 be the year of Lambrusco? According to Bloomberg analysis, wine is changing: less formality, more drinkability, more whites and sparkling wines. Lambrusco perfectly captures this shift in tone, in a context marked by climate, new consumption styles, and the pursuit of value.
Histoire d’O(risi): the Sicilian grape rediscovered. With the updated Terre Siciliane IGT regulations, orisi is officially back among the permitted varieties. This recovery of biodiversity demonstrates how Italy’s ampelographic heritage still holds the potential to surprise.
Sicily: A difficult 2025 but a positive outcome. Despite market challenges, Sicily remains a cornerstone of Italian wine, thanks to biodiversity, systemic planning, and the driving role of the Sicilia DOC.
Consumer Choices and Neuroscience: 85% of wine purchasing decisions are driven by visual and perceptual factors (label, packaging, price), only 15% by taste. This is a key finding for rethinking communication and positioning.
Wine inventories on the rise: strategies to rethink. Inventories are growing for the third consecutive year. Prosecco and Amarone are holding steady, but inventories of Pinot Grigio, Soave, and IGT are significantly increasing. The issue is not just production, but strategic and commercial.
Consumption declines in Tuscany. Wine consumption will decline by 15 to 20% in 2025. Consumption by the glass and attention to quality are growing. Less quantity, more selection: a structural, not a cyclical, sign.
Less alcohol, more awareness. The “drink less but drink better” trend continues to gain traction even during the holidays. New consumption habits require a rethinking of product offerings and formats.
International
A Sancerre sold out in the US thanks to Taylor Swift. A brief appearance in a documentary made the Sancerre from the Terres Blanches estate a media sensation: it sold out in the United States and sparked a surge in online searches. A powerful example of how pop culture and wine can be intertwined.
Wine clubs: subscription wine is worth $12.4 billion. The channel is growing thanks to personalization, storytelling, and algorithms. Interest in wine isn’t declining, but the way consumers are engaged is changing.
From Bordeaux to Sherry: wines to rediscover in 2026. According to the New York Times, the future also depends on the revival of underrated classics. Fashions fade, but quality remains.
Wine and Climate Change: According to the OIV, global production dropped 10% in 2023 due to extreme events. Italy, Spain, and South America were among the hardest hit. Climate is becoming a structural variable in the winemaking industry.
EU, CAP, and Mercosur: Brussels promises an additional €45 billion for agriculture in the 2028–2034 budget, paving the way for the Mercosur agreement. This decision will also have a direct impact on European wine.
Wine events
The Chianti Consortium on a mission to Nigeria. The first official mission to Africa for Chianti DOCG: 13 wineries in Lagos for an event with industry professionals, press, and importers. A strategic step toward new emerging markets.
Rotaria: Roero as told by the locals. An independent, self-funded initiative debuts in Pollenzo, focusing on the connection between wine and its territory, outside of traditional competitive logic.
Masi: a journey through the Venetian Territory. A tasting day dedicated to the group’s wineries, showcasing their historic identities and international vision.
Casa Isabella – La Cantina del Duca (Mottola) Reopens a space dedicated to wine as a cultural and emotional experience, in the spirit of hospitality and local storytelling.
Gastronomic Calabria: Restaurants Not to Miss The Ristoranti d’Italia 2026 guide depicts a mature Calabria, where cuisine, wineries, and short supply chains interact with growing awareness.
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Wine news, Italian wineries and wines.
Italian wineries
Cantine Pellegrino 1880 – Nero d’Avola Gazzerotta 2022. The historic Marsala winery, now in its sixth generation, continues to be a cornerstone of Sicilian wine. With over 160 hectares of vineyards and a production exceeding 5 million bottles, Pellegrino maintains a solid business model, rooted in tradition yet market-oriented.
Tenuta San Leonardo abandons organic certification. The historic Trentino winery, led by Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga, explains why it is abandoning organic certification: production losses of up to 30% annually have made the model economically unsustainable. This stance reopens the debate on agronomic and economic sustainability.
Tre Secoli Winery Wins DOCG Awards National and international recognition for its Barbera d’Asti DOCG Superiore “Sorangela” and Asti DOCG Extra Dry. This achievement reinforces the strategic role of Piedmontese cooperatives in safeguarding quality.
Cantina Settecani closes 2025 with an 8.7% increase. The Modena-based cooperative reported revenues of €6.75 million, driven by bottled wine and exports to 33 countries. Member deliveries are also growing, and grape yields remain above €50/q.
Fossa Mala: Kanada SpA sells Cantina RR to Rauscedo. An industrial transaction in western Friuli: the bottling company is transferred to Cantina Rauscedo, while the vineyards remain in Fossa Mala. An alliance focused on growth, innovation, and territorial development.
Alta Langa closes 2025 with a 10% increase in sales. Sales exceeded 2 million bottles. Members and vineyard areas are also growing. The domestic market remains central (85%), with future production already looking to 2028.
Farewell to Arnaldo Caprai. One of the great protagonists of modern Italian wine has passed away. Caprai transformed Sagrantino di Montefalco into an international brand, making a decisive contribution to the promotion of native grape varieties.
Barone Pizzini: art and wine with “Mantulì” The Franciacorta winery strengthens the dialogue between wine, culture, and territory, opening its doors to new artistic languages.
Cantina Biscardo narrates wine through videos, photos, and music. A cultural project that links wine production to the beauty of the visual and performing arts, as a key to contemporary wine narration.
Italian wine and Italian oenology
Wine inventories in Italy are growing. At the end of November 2025, there were over 53 million hectoliters in cellars (8.6% compared to 2024). Abundant harvests and slowing consumption pose a structural question of the balance between production and the market.
Drink less, drink better: beyond Dry January. Moderation in consumption is becoming a cultural and stylistic choice. Wine is changing its role: less quantity, more meaning.
No and Low Alcohol: Italy at 1.8%, but growing. According to Antonio Paparella (Federico II University), the segment will also grow in Italy, following the US example. The challenge is communication, especially towards younger generations.
Frescobaldi: “Alcohol-free wine will grow.” With the new decree on alcohol-free wine, Italy fills a regulatory gap and opens up new competitive opportunities for companies.
Andrea Delpiano: the Barolo of the future. Less oak, more elegance and fruit. The Langhe winemaker shares an evolving vision of the style, influenced by the climate and changing tastes.
The 5 wine regions to be rediscovered in 2026: Mugello, Mandrolisai, Riviera Ligure di Ponente, Alta Campania, and Gamay del Trasimeno: “outsider” territories with strong potential for revitalization.
International
Wine and spirits e-commerce: signs of resilience After three years of decline, online sales are showing a moderate recovery: 3% in value expected between 2024 and 2029. Consumption, however, remains cautious.
Decanter: The 10 Italian “Wines of the Year 2025” From Franciacorta to Etna, a selection that confirms Italy’s qualitative leadership on international markets.
EU-Mercosur agreement nears completion. A market of 780 million consumers is at stake. French resistance remains, but Rome is moving closer to a yes.
Wine events, territories and wine culture
Valtellina to savor: A journey through terraced vineyards, cellars, shops, and an authentic gastronomic culture that intertwines wine, DOP cheeses, and Alpine traditions.
The Langhe: people, land, and wine. An emotional tale of one of the great classics of Italian wine, including Barolo, Barbaresco, and Roero.
ViniVeri Assisi 2026 The seventh edition of the event dedicated to natural wine will take place in Assisi on January 12th, with 60 winemakers from all over Italy and abroad.
Arvesiniadu: the unique Goceano grape variety. A meeting in Bono dedicated to one of Italy’s rarest grape varieties, combining scientific research and historical memory.
Usini, home of Vermentino and Cagnulari. A tale of inland Sardinia where wine, oil, and agricultural identity intertwine.
Zap & Ida: When Wine Makes You Smile Culture, irony, and wine meet in the story of this pair of Bolognese comedians.
Abruzzo on the hunt for wine tourists. The Region approved the 2026–2028 plan to capture a portion of the 15 million wine tourists who generate nearly €3 billion in revenue.
Thanks for listening. Today’s wine press review was brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT . See you tomorrow.
Wine news, Italian wineries and wines.
Italian wineries
Tenuta San Leonardo: organic certification suspended (for now). The Trentino winery explains its decision: significant production declines (-30% annually over the last three harvests) and the “industrial” cost of organic farming, deemed no longer sustainable under current conditions. Key issues: economic as well as agronomic sustainability.
Odoardi: Release of seizure and return to full operations (with clarifications). The Calabrian company is back in the hands of its owner. In parallel, the Scavigno Agricultural Consortium has published clarifications: the release cited by the press concerns an area/land associated with consortium restrictions, urging people not to confuse “release of seizure” with “resumption of operations” in the full sense.
Alex Maccan: From Furniture to Viticulture in Friuli (Le Monde and La Ponca) A story of a life-changing entrepreneurial career: from the furniture industry to the vineyards, a journey that unites vision, territory, and winemaking.
Farewell to Arnaldo Caprai (192?–2026): the man who transformed Sagrantino into a global brand. One of the protagonists of the promotion of Sagrantino di Montefalco: entrepreneurship, territorial vision, and building an international reputation, has passed away at the age of 92.
Italian wine and Italian oenology
Italian wine inventories are growing: “Cantina Italia” reports high volumes. As of November 30, 2025: 53.4 million hectoliters (8.6% vs. November 30, 2024), 9.5 million hl of new wine in fermentation, and 9.7 million hl of must. This trend is interpreted in the context of different harvests (2023 poor, 2024 more generous, 2025 even more abundant) and slower sales/consumption (health concerns, tariffs, pressure on incomes).
Dealcoholized wines: Protopapa (Lega) calls for “regulatory clarity” to protect identities and denominations. The interministerial decree between the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the Ministry of Health (MASAF) ushers in a more structured phase for the low/no alcohol segment. The political and operational message is: innovation is welcome, but with clear rules to avoid ambiguity regarding the positioning of Piedmontese and Italian wines.
Zibibbo (Moscato d’Alessandria): a Mediterranean grape variety, between history and identity. Cultural and agronomic insight: Zibibbo as a “bridge” between peoples, trade routes, agricultural techniques and traditions (Pantelleria as a symbol, but not only).
Grapur – “Italian Red Wine”: Sustainability told through packaging. Project 2025 by Mack & Schühle Italia (a joint venture between Mack & Schühle AG and Latentia). A broad supply chain (cooperatives and an extensive vineyard network) and a narrative/industrial approach: sustainability built from the ultra-lightweight bottle, cork, and materials (with partners such as Verallia and Nomacorc Ocean).
Tasting Notes: Primitivo di Manduria Dionysos 2010 (De Quarto) A wine “out of time” (in a good way): long maceration, no oak, released only at the ripeness deemed ideal by the producer. Very low sulfur content; broad and mature aromatic profile.
The Fiano that defies time: Fiano di Avellino Riserva 2015 (Di Meo) Focus on evolutionary capacity and taste tension: eight years in steel, refined in the bottle, with freshness still alive.
Falanghina identity: the Tenuta Le Albe project (Arturo Erbaggio) Portrait of a winemaker/agronomist who “sets up on his own” and builds an essential and territorial Falanghina (plot in Irpinia, project launch 2012).
International
France: Sweetening of still AOC wines, doctrine changes. From November 27, 2025: regulated opening to sensory profile correction in still AOC wines, with technical limitations (9 g/l limit, traceability, operational constraints). Impact for Italy: potential competitive pressure on the medium segments and, at the same time, an opportunity to reposition “Made in Italy” on transparency and the strength of the appellations.
The Academy (Vinexposium): training and data to understand global markets. Confirmation of its role as an international hub in 2025: sessions on the geopolitics of wine, consumption trends, strategies, and a focus on the blending theme as a possible industrial direction.
“Wine Flight” wine tourism experiences in the castle. Visit/tasting story: wine tourism as an experiential product (replicable format), with attention to scenography, hospitality and tasting itinerary.
Wine events
Palio del Groppello 2025: Saottini wins (2024 harvest). A historic first: debut and victory, and the first win for the Lonato del Garda area. A tradition since 1970, with the awards ceremony in Salò.
Triveneto Winemaking Hub: inauguration on January 31, 2026 (San Vito al Tagliamento). A new consortium governance hub promoted by Triveneta Certificazioni, with a conference entitled “Building Connections, Building the Future.” The goal: quality, traceability, and market competitiveness, with a networking approach between regions and control systems.
Tuglie (LE): “Nativity Scenes in the Village” and “Christmas in the Cellar” until January 6th. A calendar will be distributed among wineries and historic locations. A special presentation of the book “Generazione alternativa. 1991-1995” will be held at the Peparussu Winery (wine-related cultural event).
Agro-economic context and assets (supply chain focus)
Italian farmers’ income: growth above the EU average. Statements by the Minister of Agriculture: Masaf strategies on supply chains, generational turnover, and valorization (including through tourism and cultural recognition).
Agricultural land: “silent” value selection (data and levers). Average value in Italy: €22,400/ha (1%) with significant regional differences (the Northeast is at its highest). Drivers cited: logistics, water availability, structured supply chains, brand strength, and earnings potential. Tax note: revaluation of land (2025 Budget Law) with a substitute tax of 18% by November 30, 2025, through a certified appraisal.
Operations and market
Beverage Risk 2026: M&A Expectations in Italy. 2025 is described as a year of slower transactions compared to 2024 (more caution, longer evaluation and closing times), but with overall values still solid. Reading: a less “noisy” pipeline, but deals are possible for well-positioned assets with defensible numbers.
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