Wineries, Italian wine producers, and wine news.
Italian wineries
Cantina Terre d’Oltrepò faces insolvency. The Oltrepò cooperative, already in compulsory administrative liquidation, now risks insolvency. The liquidator’s report highlights an irreversible financial crisis, exacerbated by the freeze on bank loans starting in early 2025. This case is emblematic of the structural weaknesses of some large cooperatives.
Cantine I Favati looks to the US West Coast. The Irpinia winery embarks on a strategic mission to the United States, with tastings and dinners in San Francisco for industry professionals. This positioning initiative focuses on authentic Italian wine regions, with the support of wine director Shelley Lindgren.
Moncalisse debuts on international markets with Trentodoc. An exclusive event in London marks the international launch of the new winery founded by Julia and Karoline Walch. Italian sparkling wines remain a key pillar of exports, with sparkling wines expected to generate between €1.6 and €1.7 billion in 2024 and 2025.
Leone de Castris joins “Les Hénokiens.” The historic Salento winery joins the international club of companies with over 200 years of history. This recognition reinforces the cultural, heritage, and industrial value of Italian wine worldwide.
Castello di Uviglie: Classic Method and Monferrato UNESCO. A winery that intertwines history, centuries-old crus, and territorial valorization. The vineyards, some documented since 1491, tell the story of a Monferrato where wine is an integral part of the cultural landscape.
Costa Arènte, Valpantèna in the spotlight Ten years after its acquisition by Genagricola, the winery celebrates its journey within the Le Tenute del Leone Alato project, which combines winemaking quality, territorial storytelling, and experience.
Manduria producers tasting in Brescia. Free tasting of Apulian wines and Primitivo di Manduria DOC and DOCG, with a focus on sustainability and biodiversity.
Vecchie Terre di Montefili presents two new Gran Selezione wines : the 2026 Chianti Classico Collection debuts Vinea Vecchia and Vinea Nel Bosco, two high-altitude Sangiovese wines that express an agronomic vision of precision and respect for natural rhythms.
Italian wine and Italian oenology
Italian exports 2025: 3.3% despite tariffs. Istat data confirms growth in exports and the trade surplus. Trade with the United States remains under close scrutiny, but the manufacturing system demonstrates resilience and internationalization.
Record-breaking Italian agri-food exports: €73 billion . In 2025, agri-food exports are expected to grow by 5%. Wine is slowing (-3.6% in the first 11 months), but it still represents 10% of the total, confirming its strategic position as a Made in Italy asset.
Langhe: from scandal to world leadership The story of the rebirth of Langhe viticulture after the adulterations, thanks to the DOC, the controls and a quality model that today is a global reference.
Too Much Unsold Wine: A Critical Analysis by Jancis Robinson The Master of Wine photographs a global crisis of overproduction and declining consumption: Australia, France, and New Zealand are grappling with full tanks and production models that need to be rethought.
EU wine exports are declining: PDO wines are the hardest hit. Over €460 million has been lost in three years. Bottled PDO wines are posting the worst performance, despite being the driving force of European exports.
Italian wine: exports stable at €8 billion. Despite international tensions, wine remains an ambassador of Italianness. Consolidation of traditional markets and expansion into Asia and India are levers for future growth.
Wine Export Labeling 2026: Focus on operating rules for the EU, USA, and Canada and training courses dedicated to regulatory compliance: the label as a key to market access.
The Ciravegna Case, 40 Years After the Methanol Affair A wound still open in the history of Italian wine: the families of the victims demand remembrance and justice.
Walks in Sardinia: the Carignano Trails in Sulcis. Slow wine tourism among centuries-old vineyards, abandoned mines, and archaeology, with stops at the Carignano del Sulcis wineries.
Molise, a new agriculture between the sea and the hills. The Molisìr project offers a structured vision of contemporary southern agriculture, including oil, wheat, and pasta.
Agricultural cohousing for seniors. Agricoltura Nuova’s CARE project proposes a replicable model of a residential agricultural community, combining social inclusion and the recovery of rural heritage.
International
No/low alcohol: the category to bet on. According to Circana, non-alcoholic beverages are experiencing double-digit growth in value and volume. The Be No area debuts at Wine Paris, signaling a structural convergence between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
European wine exports in difficulty Analysis of global markets: declining EU exports and the need to rethink production mixes and commercial strategies.
Wine events
The future of Monferrato begins with wine – March 3, Acqui Terme. Joint conference of the Consortia of Acqui, Barbera d’Asti, Monferrato, and Asti Spumante: an integrated vision of wine as an economic, social, and landscape lever.
Luca Maroni’s Best Italian Wines 2026 – Rome From February 20th to 22nd at the Salone delle Fontane: tastings, masterclasses, and meetings for the 25th edition of the event.
Wild Wines 2026 – Rome, March 7-9. An independent fair dedicated to natural wines and artisanal agriculture, a benchmark for a conscious drinking culture.
MareMMMa – Alberese, March 1-2, 2026 Two days dedicated to Maremma wines: wine lovers on Sunday, operators on Monday.
Umbria Tops at Slow Wine Fair 2026. Fourth consecutive participation with an ever-growing presence at the Bologna fair dedicated to good, clean, and fair wine.
The Other Tuscany teams up During the Preview Week, the “diffuse” Tuscany presents itself as a system, promoting lesser-known but strategic denominations and territories.
Wine Marketing: Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone. Experts warn at Wine Paris: business models need to be rethought to address uncertainties and structural changes in the market.
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Wineries, Italian wine producers, and wine news.
Italian wineries
Trentino: Local Reds Under €15 Alongside the excellence of Trentodocs, the quality of still whites and reds is growing, particularly Teroldego della Piana Rotaliana: distinctive wines, profound yet easy to drink, the result of increasingly informed viticulture.
Nizza: the cooperative winery undergoes a makeover. The board of directors has been renewed, with Andrea Ghignone elected president. The stated goal is to revitalize the identity and role of cooperatives in a region that is a symbol of Barbera.
Tenuta di Castellaro (Aeolian Islands) The 2021 Nero Ossidiana showcases Corinto Nero and a winemaking project that combines landscape, native grape varieties, and organic and vegan protocols. A rare example of an “island wine” with the ambition of a great red.
Malenchini – Chianti Colli Fiorentini La Riserva Vigna di Lappeggi 2021: vineyard selection, maturation in large barrels, and an elegant profile. An example of how the Chianti subzones can express distinctive characteristics.
Cinque Maggio Winery (Torrecuso, Sannio) A family project that reclaims memory, territory, and identity, placing wine back at the center of an authentic agricultural narrative.
Masseria di Sessa (Falerno del Massico DOP) Organic farming, agritourism, and environmental protection: an integrated model where wine, oil, and hospitality become a single value system.
Italian wine and Italian oenology
2025 bottling: -2.1%, but DOC and DOCG hold up. Overall decline, but clear signals:
- DOCG and DOC 1%
- Whites 2.7%, rosés 5.7%, sparkling wines 1%
- Red wines stagnate -13%. IGT wines suffer (-12%). The system holds up thanks to strong, export-oriented denominations.
Wine exports: slowdown confirmed. As of November 2025: €7.2 billion (-3.6%). The United States weighs negatively (-8% in value). Tariffs and the euro/dollar exchange rate have a structural impact.
Alcohol-free: The Lunelli Group enters the segment. With Tassoni, a non-alcoholic gin designed for mocktails is debuting. Not a fad, but an industrial response to new consumption styles.
Wooden barrels and fire prevention. Clarification from the Fire Brigade: the wood from barrels, as technical equipment, is not included in the quantities to be calculated for fire prevention purposes.
Agricultural cohousing for seniors. Agricoltura Nuova’s CARE project experiments with a replicable social model that brings agriculture back to the center of community life.
International and markets
Italian exports to the US: 7.2% in 2025 (net of duties) Made in Italy products grew by 3.3% overall, demonstrating resilience despite geopolitical tensions.
Trade Agreements: Mercosur and India at the Center. A clear message from the institutional and manufacturing world: without new agreements and protection of emerging markets, wine risks marginalization.
“Lumbarda” PDO: Italian opposition. Lombardy producers challenge the Croatian application for the risk of confusion with “Lombardia.” Geographical indications remain a strategic asset.
Tariffs and Politics The Italian Parliament has criticized the communication approach to this issue: operational strategies are needed, not propaganda.
Wine events and territory
UNESCO Prosecco Hills: Record Visitors in 2025: 7.3% Arrivals and 8.5% Visitors. Non-hotel and international “slow” tourism are growing: the region functions as an economic hub.
Chianti Classico Collection 2026: A record 223 wineries present. Two vintages compared:
- 2024 fresher and more direct
- 2023 (Riserva and Gran Selezione) richer and more enveloping Il Gallo Nero grows on markets and strengthens the message “Wine is culture”.
Slow Wine Fair: strong presence from the Marche region, 36 wineries, and a masterclass dedicated to Verdicchio Riserva DOCG: targeted promotion and continuity up to Vinitaly.
Anastasia Mancini confirmed as president of the Tuscany Wine Tourism Movement : wine tourism is a fundamental part of the agricultural enterprise.
Virtual Wine Museum – Castiglione di Sicilia A participatory project that combines memory, technology, and Etna identity, with Lauria Castle as its symbolic centerpiece.
Milan Cortina 2026 Italian wine takes center stage at Casa Italia: 26 labels as a tool for cultural diplomacy and positioning Made in Italy.
Wine Marketing: Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone. Experts at Wine Paris warned: business models need to be rethought, adaptability as a new key skill.
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Wineries, Italian wine producers, and wine news.
Italian wineries
Tenuta Monsignore (Alta Langa) The Alta Langa classic method that “looks like Champagne”: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in perfect balance for one of the most interesting labels of the Piedmont region, presented at the Grandi Langhe in Turin.
Il Verro Winery – Formicola (Caserta) Cesare Avenia’s project promotes rare grape varieties such as Pallagrello, Casavecchia, and Coda di Pecora, with a return to the land that combines managerial skill and agricultural vision.
Cantina Foradori – Trentino 125 years of history and a radical and consistent biodynamic philosophy. An agricultural model that focuses on listening to the land, territorial identity, and certified sustainability.
Casa Grazia – Sicilia Vi Veri and Victorya: Cabernet Sauvignon and Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG that tell the story of an agricultural and entrepreneurial Sicily par excellence, on the edge of the Biviere Reserve.
Centopassi – Sicily Wine as a social and industrial project: Libera Terra cooperatives, organic farming, native grape varieties, and a structured presence on global markets.
Vogadori Winery – Valpolicella Weekend dedicated to bulk wines in Negrar: tradition, informed consumption, and a direct relationship between producer and enthusiast.
Cantina Produttori Cormòns is mourning the passing of Andrea Tofful, vice president and key figure in the winery’s rebirth.
Italian wine and Italian oenology
Gen Z and wine: it’s not rejection, it’s a rejection of the model. Young people haven’t abandoned wine, but an elitist and unsustainable narrative. What’s needed is a cultural shift, not moralism.
Drinking “in stripes”: alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks together “Zebra striping” is becoming increasingly popular among young people: alternating consumption that redefines the concept of moderation.
Growing Quality Grapes From soil to agronomic management: the practices that make the difference between an ordinary harvest and excellent grapes.
Production Concentration in Italian Wine The top 5 wineries produce 18% of DOC and IGT wines: the Valoritalia data opens the debate on aggregation and industrial scale.
Identity and Future of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: Culture, landscape, and sustainability as strategic pillars of one of Italy’s historic DOCGs.
Chianti Classico Collection Wine as a cultural identity: positive signals from North America and Canada despite a complex context.
Cuzziol Grandi Vini Entrepreneurial strategy and romanticism: growing in wine amidst uncertainty, vision, and the selection of authentic stories.
International and market scenarios
Tariffs and foreign markets: US alarm. Shipments to the United States -9% in 2025. The sector calls for acceleration in Mercosur and India to diversify markets.
Certified wine 2025: DOC and DOCG hold steady . Sparkling, white, and rosé wines are growing. Red and IGT wines are declining. A market that rewards identity and certified value.
Overall bottling volumes in 2025 are down 2.1%, but DOC and DOCG production is growing. The data confirms the “structural stability” of the quality sector.
Policies, territories and supply chain
Piedmont: €18.8 million for wine. CMO funds for foreign promotion, winery investments, and vineyard renovation. 2026–27 priorities shared with the supply chain.
Città del Vino: Renewables banned in DOC and DOCG areas. Updated guidelines to protect the landscape, winemaking quality, and land use planning.
Wine events and wine culture
Vinetia Tasting – Santa Lucia di Piave (March 22) 800 labels to showcase Venetian winemaking in a major event organized by AIS Veneto.
Traminer Weingassl – Termeno The wine festival that combines Gewürztraminer, conviviality and the culture of South Tyrolean Törggelen.
Barbera Red Night – Turin (February 20) 20 piole, live music and popular cuisine: wine as a social ritual awaiting the Turin Wine Fair 2026.
Taste Alto Piemonte – Milan (March 9) Tastings and insights to tell the story of a region undergoing a strong resurgence.
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Wineries, Italian wine producers, and wine news.
Italian wineries
- Poderi Luigi Einaudi: Barolo DOCG Ravera 2022 (Novello) debuts. A new Cru/MGA in the portfolio: Nebbiolo from a single vineyard (approximately 400 m, south/southeast exposure, Sant’Agata Marl). “Limited production terroir” as a reputational and commercial lever.
- Pio Cesare: Over a Century of History and Generational Transition. Identity Story and Family Governance: Post-2021 Continuity with the Fifth Generation (Federica Boffa, Pio, and Cesare Benvenuto). Key Themes: Succession, Leadership, and Brand Stewardship.
- Sankt Pauls Winery: new Pinot Bianco “Kalkberg” and focus on soils Historic cooperative (1907) with communities of winemakers and vineyards between 400–650 m: geological narrative (limestone, porphyry, gneiss, basalt) as positioning driver.
- Molise: the cellar in an old farmhouse and the “new red” of the area. Case study of a small region that focuses on quality and native grape varieties: small scale as an advantage (care, authenticity, curiosity of the evolved consumer).
- La Caplana (Bosio, AL): a great white wine under €15 between Piedmont and Liguria. Frontier storytelling (Ligurian Apennines, sea breezes, white clay) accessible pricing: a credible “value wine” theme.
- Il Verro (Formicola, CE): “niche” grape varieties and a return to the land Pallagrello/Casavecchia and experimentation (pure Coda di Pecora): biodiversity entrepreneurial project with a managerial profile.
- Cavalier Mennato Falluto Wineries (Torrecuso, BN): Memory, Award, and Agritourism. Family continuity, Samnite roots, and a dual spirit (vineyard/winery hospitality). Theme: wine tourism as a stabilizer of marginalization.
- Caruso & Minini (Marsala): brand ambassadors in 40 countries. Evolution “from suppliers to complete supply chain”: partnerships and international marketing as a growth lever.
- Perillo (Irpinia): Taurasi 2014, elegance and management in a difficult vintage. Technical narrative “time as an ally”: useful for communicating stylistic solidity and value in the long-lived red segment.
Italian wine and Italian oenology
- Gambero Rosso: The 12 Best Gewürztraminers (Many Under €20) Educational focus on aromatic grape varieties (terpenes) and the South Tyrolean origin/identity (Termeno/Tramin). Message: quality, affordability, and price.
- Cantina Vignaioli di Scansano: Vermentino “Vigna Fiorini” 2024. “Unconventional” vinification (over-ripening on the vine, carbonic fermentation in stainless steel and fine lees): rich aromatic profile and savory palate. Contents: technique as differentiation.
- Gentleman Ranking: 100 Best Italian Reds 2026 Ranking constructed by cross-referencing guides/scores: useful as a reputation thermometer and for reading “shifts” in the hierarchies.
- Vermouth di Torino: A Resurgence and the Question of Identity. Not Just a Cocktail Trend: A Return to the Proper Name as a Cultural and Conservative Key.
- Wine culture and pop storytelling: “Sentimental Tasting” by Giulia Latini. The language of tasting used to discuss choices and memory: a sign of how wine is entering new editorial formats.
- Wine list: the best in Europe is Italian (Trattoria al Cacciatore – La Subida, Cormòns) International “Star Wine List of the Year” award: Italy is strong not only in production, but also in service and cellar management.
International
- “War” over designations: the ‘Lumbarda DOP’ case (Croatia) and Lombardy’s reaction. Tension over phonetics/toponymy (Lumbarda/Lombarda) and protection at EU level: a sensitive issue for consortia and territorial branding.
Wine events
- Wine tourism: Elba DOC Consortium – interview with the new president, Antonio Arrighi. Consortium governance and Elba’s positioning within the regional context (PrimAnteprima 2025). Wine tourism as a strategic destination.
- Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Preview: 4.5/5 rating for 2023. Technical assessment by the commission (finesse/balance, structure, analytical parameters). Market message: vintage ready to “speak” to the consumer.
- Previews of Tuscany 2026: focus on “Le Pievi” (2022 and 2021 vintages, blind tastings). UGA as a lever for segmentation and promotion. Pay attention to samples that are not all present and some still undergoing maturation.
- Caiarossa: presentation of the new vintages “Icons 2022 – I Rossi” (February 21, Riparbella) An on-site event featuring a tour of soils and microclimates and comparisons with previous vintages: the perfect format for the press, trade, and top clients.
- Fieragricola 2026 (Veronafiere): Over 100,000 attendees and a focus on innovation. Technology and supply chains: smart irrigation, digitalization, biosolutions, renewables. Direct impact on viticulture: “costs/climate/productivity.”
- Inclusion: “The teetotal sommelier” (AIS) for young people with disabilities 16 Alcohol-free training, geared towards skills and employment: a cultural and social project that strengthens the sector’s reputation.
Industry focus (cross-cutting theme, to be highlighted on the homepage)
- 2025 harvest stable (0.7%) but inventories rising: UIV calls for reforms. 2025 production reported at 44.383 million hl; inventories indicated at 61 million hl (6% year-on-year). Signal: supply chain balance still fragile, with pressure on prices and inventory management.
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