Italian wineries, Italian wine producers, and current wine news.
Italian wineries
Antinori, the No. 1 European brand and No. 2 overall in the world. In Drinks International ‘s 2026 ranking of “The World’s Most Admired Wine Brands,” Antinori takes second place overall globally, confirming its position as the leading European wine brand. Italy features prominently, with seven wineries in the Top 50, including Gaja and Ornellaia, confirming the strong reputation of Italian wine on international markets.
Roco Winery, controlled by the Marzotto family, continues to grow in Oregon. Heritage USA continues its expansion in the Willamette Valley with the acquisition of the Domaine Lumineux vineyards. This acquisition strengthens the Marzotto family’s position in one of the most prestigious areas for American Pinot Noir and confirms an increasingly focused and structured international investment strategy.
Bonarda Distretto launches the #lamossaperfetta project website. The digital platform dedicated to promoting sparkling Bonarda from Oltrepò Pavese has launched online. Video interviews, editorial content, and insights reinforce a project that focuses on identity, a complete supply chain, production quality, and local recognition.
Col Vetoraz brings the full strength of Valdobbiadene DOCG to Vinitaly. The Treviso-based winery is presenting its full range of sparkling wines at Vinitaly 2026, reaffirming its connection to one of the most iconic regions of Italian sparkling wine. The message is clear: elegance, stylistic consistency, and a strong sense of territorial identity remain the brand’s distinctive assets.
Inserrata, the contemporary winery in San Miniato, Tuscany. Inserrata’s profile is growing, combining organic farming, aesthetic research, and cultural vision. A model of independent winemaking, it interprets wine as an agricultural, environmental, and identity-building project.
La Baia del Sole, an affordable Vermentino between Liguria and Tuscany. The Federici family continues to promote the Luni area with a product line centered on native grape varieties and a viticulture rooted in local history. An example of how quality, recognizability, and a balanced price can effectively coexist.
Podere Sapaio, Bolgheri, and Bibbona as seen by Massimo Piccin. The company confirms its high-end profile with a production philosophy based on precision, elegance, and expressive simplicity. The entrepreneurial story highlights a consistent trajectory of value creation in one of the strongest Tuscan wine regions.
Sesti and the 2021 Brunello di Montalcino. Giuseppe Maria Sesti’s winery, now led by his daughter Elisa, continues to be a benchmark for those seeking wines with a strong territorial identity and a sensitive approach to farming. The 2021 Brunello stands out for its vivacity, aromatic finesse, and depth of flavor.
Cantina San Bernardo, 800 years of history and a solid production vocation. In Poncarale, the Botti family recounts a business that combines historical heritage, agricultural work, respect for the environment, and a range of products capable of covering diverse consumer segments. It’s an example of a winery deeply rooted in the local area and in a direct relationship with its customers.
Talosa at Vinitaly 2026 with a memorable vertical tasting. The historic Montepulciano winery has chosen to highlight its quality journey through a vertical tasting of Pieve Le Grazie. This initiative strengthens Talosa’s position in the contemporary narrative of Vino Nobile.
Carpi and Sorbara Winery, Focus on Business Continuity : A delicate phase is dawning on the cooperative front in Emilia: institutional demands are emerging to safeguard the historic winery’s operations, its members, and the value built around iconic appellations such as Lambrusco di Sorbara, Salamino, and Pignoletto.
Cantine La Contea takes center stage with the “Il Viaggio del Salmone” event . On Mount Etna, the winery becomes the stage for a project that combines fine dining, regional storytelling, and wine experiences. This formula demonstrates how advanced wine tourism can generate value even through unconventional collaborations.
Italian wine and Italian oenology
Italian wine remains optimistic despite the challenges. Amid geopolitical difficulties, pressure on consumption, and climate challenges, the sector continues to demonstrate its ability to adapt. The emerging message is one of confidence: Italian wine has already demonstrated its ability to transform crises into opportunities for recovery and innovation.
Italians are drinking less wine, but better. Data from the UIV-Vinitaly Observatory indicates that Italian consumers number approximately 30 million, equal to 55% of the population. Daily consumption is declining, especially among older age groups, while occasional consumption is increasing. The picture confirms a structural transformation: less quantity, more attention to quality and the consumption context.
The wine market, between stable value and declining volumes. The UIV-Vinitaly 2025 Observatory depicts a €14 billion sector, with an overall impact on the economy of €45 billion. Large-scale retail trade is holding steady in value but still losing volume; sparkling wines are growing, reds are declining, and whites are stable. The system remains highly important economically, but with evident tensions on the demand side.
Wine risks becoming a luxury good. The UCI is raising the alarm about the gap between producer prices and final prices, especially when consumed outside the home. The risk is that wine will gradually lose its role as an accessible, everyday product, sliding toward increasingly occasional consumption, perceived as elitist.
Increasingly expensive away from home: the perceived gap is growing. Despite having seen lower price increases than other food products, wine is perceived by consumers as more expensive, especially in restaurants. This signal raises questions throughout the supply chain regarding value, margin distribution, and commercial sustainability.
The decline in exports is a strategic signal that should not be underestimated. The slowdown in exports is not seen as a full-blown crisis, but as an important indicator of change. Historical markets appear more mature and selective, while emerging ones require new, more focused, and less opportunistic strategies.
Tuscan wine, tradition and the need for reinvention. Tuscany’s wine scene is described as a system called upon to combine history and adaptation. Tariffs, climate, and the slowdown of the American market are pushing toward a “creative resistance,” where territorial identity must be defended, but also reinterpreted with strategic clarity.
Capital in a Bottle: The Value of Wine as an Economic and Political Construction. A broader reflection emphasizes how the value of Italian wine depends not only on the myth of its origins, but also on processes of economic, regulatory, and symbolic construction. Territory, therefore, is not just a legacy: it is also the result of market choices and dynamics.
No more incomprehensible pairings: a new interpretation of the wine-food relationship. The debate on pairings is shifting from rigid frameworks to more intuitive and comprehensible criteria. The focus is shifting toward a cultural simplification that makes wine more accessible to a contemporary audience, less inclined to accept overly specialized codes.
The Valpolicella appassimento technique nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status. The Ministry of Culture has also included the Valpolicella appassimento grape practice among the new UNESCO nominations. This is a significant step, as it highlights not just a wine, but agricultural and cultural knowledge that can further leverage its international recognition.
The dispute over Piedmont cooperatives sparks debate. Matteo Ascheri’s comments on the Piedmont wine crisis provoke a harsh response from Vite Colte president Piero Quadrumolo. The debate brings to the forefront the role of cooperatives, supplier remuneration, and the tensions currently affecting some highly renowned production areas.
170 years of the Meregalli Group: distribution, market, and future vision. The historic Italian distribution group reaffirms its approach: innovate, understand trends, and keep wine at the center of a culture of conscious drinking. This important testimony to the growing role of distribution in building value.
Osteria senz’Oste, rural charm transformed into a local story. In the heart of Cartizze, nestled in the hills of Valdobbiadene, a unique format continues to generate buzz: no innkeeper, no traditional service, but an experience built on trust, landscape, and simplicity. A case study that demonstrates the power of wine when it meets authenticity and storytelling.
International
Dutch market: good wine isn’t enough: style and storytelling are needed. A very clear message emerges from Amsterdam for Italian wineries: product alone is no longer enough. According to importer Michele Conte, sustainability, identity, and brand consistency can grow in the Netherlands, but generic and poorly targeted offerings must be avoided.
Australian and Brazilian Prosecco: An Open Challenge in the Field of Geographical Indications. Australia and Brazil continue to use the Prosecco name for local production, confirming that international protection of denominations remains a crucial issue for Italian wine. The case highlights an increasingly strong tension between global recognition of the name and legal protection of origin.
Strasbourg honors Italian wines in international competitions. At “The World White Wines Contest” and related competitions, Italian labels once again take center stage. Beyond the awards, the cultural value of themes such as ungrafted vines, capable of uniting historical memory and contemporaneity, stands out.
Wine events
Vinitaly 2026 approaches with key data and signals for the sector. The Roman presentation of the next edition of Vinitaly highlighted the evolution of Italian consumption and the changing consumer profile. The fair confirms its position not only as a commercial event, but also as a strategic market analysis platform.
Epoca di Vino in Viserba: vintage cars, tastings, and entertainment. The Viserba Tourist Committee is organizing two days dedicated to wine and vintage cars, with tastings, food and wine stands, music, and a parade along the seafront. A popular event that combines conviviality, local culture, and local attractions.
Gambero Rosso returns to Amsterdam. The Dutch leg of the tour reconnected Italian wineries, importers, sommeliers, and restaurateurs. This event was a valuable opportunity to consolidate business relationships and test the sentiment of an increasingly attractive Northern European market.
Talosa and Col Vetoraz focus on Vinitaly as a positioning showcase. The initiatives of the two wineries clearly demonstrate how today’s presence at the fair is not just about display, but also about storytelling: verticality, range, brand identity and valorization of the terroir become tools for differentiation.
“The Salmon’s Journey” on Etna The event organized with Upstream at Cantine La Contea confirms the growth of experiential formats in which wine, excellent cuisine, and landscape become part of a single proposal with high perceived value.
Italian wineries, Italian wine producers, and current wine news.
Below is a wine press review for the web, organized by topic, focusing on the most relevant news for businesses, wineries, operators, and investors in the sector.
Italian wineries
Donatella Cinelli Colombini presents “Cenerentola 2020,” the new expression of the Orcia DOC Riserva.
At Fattoria del Colle in Trequanda, Donatella Cinelli Colombini presented the new vintage of Cenerentola 2020 Orcia DOC Riserva , with an original format that intertwined tasting, fashion, design, music, and history. The message was clear: wine is not just a production technique, but a cultural interpretation of the times in which it was born. Also central was the call to revive the native Foglia Tonda grape, promoted alongside Sangiovese.
Due Santi Vineyard, the winemaking miracle of Bassano del Grappa
In Bassano del Grappa, an area better known for grappa than wine, the Zonta family’s Vigneto Due Santi project continues to be an example of entrepreneurial tenacity and the creation of local value. This story demonstrates how identity, quality, and continuity can foster new wine regions, even outside the most obvious areas.
Moncalisse, the Walch sisters’ new sparkling wine project
Julia and Karoline Walch launch Moncalisse , a new project dedicated exclusively to sparkling wines in Trentino, in the heart of the Trento DOC region. The project stems from a plot of land purchased in 2016 on Monte Calisio and is based on a clear vision: to create a new specialized winery, focusing on altitude, temperature range, and the strong identity of the place.
Mionetto renews its governance structure: Fabio Boldini is the new CCO Italy.
The historic Valdobbiadene winery is strengthening its organizational structure with the addition of Fabio Boldini to the management board as Chief Commercial Officer for Italy . The goal is to consolidate the brand’s positioning in the domestic market and more effectively support its international growth.
Carpi and Sorbara wineries, concerned about the crisis
The mayor of Carpi, Riccardo Righi, expressed grave concern about the situation at the Cantina Sociale di Carpi e Sorbara , underlining how a crisis of this magnitude could have not only corporate effects, but systemic effects on the entire winemaking and processing chain in the area.
Monte Rossa hosts the Buon Ricordo assembly
The annual meeting of the Ristoranti del Buon Ricordo (Good Memory Restaurants ) took place at the Monte Rossa winery in Franciacorta, an event that strengthened the bond between fine dining, regional cuisine, and local wine. It was an important sign of the alliance between hospitality, gastronomic storytelling, and the promotion of appellations.
Cantine dell’Angelo: Focus on “Del Nonno” Irpinia Coda di Volpe DOC 2023
From Irpinia comes a confirmation of the value of Southern Italy’s historic grape varieties: Cantine dell’Angelo’s Coda di Volpe DOC 2023 “Del Nonno” stands out for its stylistic precision, minerality, and territorial identity. This wine reinforces the image of an Irpinia region increasingly capable of producing white wines with great personality.
Italian wine and Italian oenology
Prosecco on tap: Masaf begins checks
Inspectors from the Italian Food and Agriculture Organization ( MASAF) are conducting checks on the serving and marketing of Prosecco DOC and Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG in public establishments. They are also monitoring the phenomenon of wine served “on tap” or in bulk, improperly labeled as Prosecco. Fines can reach up to €5,000 . This is a strong reminder to protect designations and promote fair trade practices in the HoReCa sector.
Agricultural diesel: the sector remains on the margins of aid
Legislative Decree No. 33 of March 18, 2026, created to combat rising energy prices, includes measures that, however, have little impact on agricultural diesel fuel . For the primary sector, the real benefit amounts to a few cents per liter, quickly absorbed by rising prices. This is a key issue for agricultural and winemaking businesses, which continue to face cost pressures.
Fine wine, first signs of recovery
The fine wine market is showing signs of stabilization. According to Liv-ex estimates, the Fine Wine 100 could close 2026 with a 2.1% gain, supported by price readjustment and more favorable financial conditions. This is of interest not only to collectors, but also to premium Italian brands focused on the high-end segment.
Derthona Timorasso, steady growth for a distinctive denomination
From March 28th to 30th , Derthona Due.Zero , an event dedicated to Timorasso, returns to Tortona, involving 50 producers. The Colli Tortonesi Consortium emphasizes how Derthona has played a crucial role in the growth of the denomination, which continues to demonstrate resilience during a delicate period for Italian wine. It’s a prime example of the successful revitalization of a once marginal grape variety.
Drones in the fields: Coldiretti welcomes the green light from the Agriculture Commission.
Coldiretti welcomes the advancement in the use of drones in agriculture , considering it consistent with the need for innovation, greater efficiency, and a response to climate change. For Italian wine, the topic opens up interesting prospects in terms of precision agriculture, sustainability, and rationalized treatment.
Wine consumers in Italy are growing thanks to young people
The UIV-Vinitaly Observatory paints a less pessimistic picture than is often portrayed: in Italy, wine consumers number approximately 30 million , equal to 55% of the population , with a stable base and even slightly increased compared to 2011. However, the way people drink is changing: less daily consumption and more occasional consumption, guided by the principles of moderation and quality. The data on the preferences of Gen Z is striking, attracted by great reds such as Amarone, Barbaresco, Taurasi, Bolgheri, and Chianti.
Italian wine in search of a new narrative
The launch of Vinitaly has revealed a strong strategic direction: Italian wine must strengthen three crucial levers, also highlighted by Luigi Scordamaglia of Filiera Italia: reputation, biodiversity, and territorial brands . In a context of high costs, new consumption patterns, and unstable markets, the sector’s language must become more understandable and less self-referential.
The “pioneers” of Italian wine reflect on the future
The reflections of figures such as Piero Antinori, Marco Caprai, Paolo Damilano, Gaetano Marzotto, and Josè Rallo bring the theme of the transition between eras back to the forefront: from a period of building modern Italian wine to a phase in which it is necessary to rethink positioning, the industrial model, and the relationship between wine and its territories.
Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie will be the Official Wine of the 2026 Giro d’Italia.
The Consorzio DOC Delle Venezie is tying its image to the 2026 Giro d’Italia , strengthening Pinot Grigio’s positioning as a national excellence capable of reaching a broad, popular, and international audience. This is a particularly interesting territorial marketing and reputational initiative.
International
The US needs an extraordinary plan to relaunch Italian wine after it is hit by tariffs.
Coldiretti and Filiera Italia are calling for a special promotional plan to support Italian wine on the US market, following a sharp decline in value in 2026. The United States remains a key market, accounting for approximately 23% of global Italian wine exports .
Exports to the United States in sharp decline
Matteo Zoppas, president of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) , notes that the start of 2026 for Italian exports to the US has been very difficult, with January down 35% according to his forecast. Among the pressure factors: tariffs, the euro-dollar exchange rate, consumer behavior, inventory management, and international geopolitical tensions.
Victor Schwartz: Clear rules needed to combat illegal tariffs
American importer Victor Oscar Schwartz , who led the Supreme Court appeal against the tariffs, reiterated how these measures have generated instability and damage to the entire supply chain, from producers to importers. His remarks emphasize a key point: wine exports require regulatory predictability, not political shocks.
Wine events
Vinitaly Design Award 2026: Packaging and Identity at the Center
The Vinitaly Design Award reaches its thirtieth edition with 284 finalist projects and Michelangelo Pistoletto as honorary president of the jury. The award confirms the strategic importance of labels, bottles, and visual language as competitive positioning tools in the wine and spirits market.
Trento hosts a conference on sustainability and Geographical Indications
On April 9 and 10, 2026, the University of Trento will host the conference “The regulation of Geographical Indications under the test of sustainability: the case of the wine supply chain.” This high-profile event will address the relationship between GIs, sustainability, supply chain governance, and legal instruments.
Vinitaly 2026: Italian wine relaunches its central role
The 58th edition of Vinitaly , scheduled to take place in Verona from 12 to 15 April 2026 , with OperaWine on 11 April, was presented in Rome. Vinitaly confirms its position not only as a trade fair, but also as a strategic platform for the repositioning of Italian wine in a period of great international complexity.
4,000 exhibitors and operators from 140 countries expected
The message emerging from the Vinitaly presentation is one of reaction and confidence: the sector aims to transform the crisis into a competitive lever, leveraging biodiversity, quality, reputation, and commercial capacity. Wine is confirmed as one of the strongest assets of the Italian agri-food system.
Vinitaly-NoLo Experience: The area dedicated to low- and dealcoholized wines debuts.
Vinitaly 2026 sees the debut of the NoLo Experience , a new space dedicated to low- and no-alcohol wines. This project captures the growing interest of Italian companies in a segment that is still young but destined to make its mark, especially in international markets and new consumption opportunities.
The Wine Net at Vinitaly Tourism 2026
The Wine Net cooperative network will be present at Vinitaly with a shared stand in the Vinitaly Tourism area, strengthening the narrative of cooperative wine as an experience of territory, hospitality, and local identity. This is an important signal of the role of wine tourism as a driver of development.
Wine tourism in San Casciano dei Bagni: nine wineries join forces
With “Fonti di Vino – Tra calici e acque termali,” San Casciano dei Bagni seeks to transform wine into a unifying tool for the region’s narrative. The nine wineries involved represent an interesting model of alliance between production, tourism, and local identity.
Final summary
Today’s photograph depicts an Italian wine sector that moves along four very clear lines.
The first is the protection of value , with stricter controls on denominations, greater attention to packaging, reputation and commercial protection of the product.
The second is the transformation of the market , where there are growing signs of change in consumption, communication, the use of technology and even in the openness towards emerging segments such as dealcoholized products.
The third is external pressure , especially on international markets, with the United States remaining decisive but today also particularly fragile for Italian exports.
The fourth is the centrality of the territory : from small, distinctive denominations like Timorasso to major events like Vinitaly, the wine system continues to find strength in its ability to network, better communicate its story, and transform the territory into an economic, cultural, and tourist asset.
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Italian wineries, Italian wine producers, and current wine news.
The Italian wine sector continues to navigate structural market transformations, designation innovation, international consolidation, and new economic challenges . Below are the day’s key news items, organized by topic.
Italian wineries
Mezzacorona awarded as the best Italian cooperative of the last 25 years
The Mezzacorona Group confirms its position as a leading player in Italian wine cooperatives. At Mundus Vini 2026 , during ProWein in Düsseldorf, the Trentino-based company received the award for “best Italian cooperative of the last 25 years.” The group, active in over 60 countries , includes companies such as Rotari (Trentodoc) and Feudo Arancio in Sicily , while the subholding Nosio manages international marketing. The award confirms the path taken by several Italian cooperatives, which have focused on quality, price positioning, and global growth .
Cantina di Carpi activates protective measures for a €12.8 million debt.
Cantina di Carpi, Sorbara e Bazzano has requested the activation of the protective measures provided for by the Corporate Crisis Code to address debt of approximately €12.8 million . The procedure allows for a freeze on creditors’ claims for twelve months, allowing management to develop a recovery plan.
Compulsory liquidation for Cantine Leonardo da Vinci
The historic Tuscan cooperative Cantine Leonardo da Vinci , founded in 1961, has been placed into compulsory administrative liquidation by the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy. As of August 31, 2025, it had short-term debts of over €13 million , against a negative net equity. Despite the liquidation, operational continuity of production for its members has been guaranteed.
Centopassi, the wine from land confiscated from the mafia
In Sicily, Centopassi , a winemaking project linked to the Libera Terra cooperatives, represents a virtuous model for valorizing lands confiscated from organized crime. The winery combines native grape varieties, territorial identity, and a presence on international markets , demonstrating how a strong ethical project can also generate solid commercial results.
Feudi di San Gregorio celebrates 40 years of wine and design.
The Campania winery celebrates forty years of activity with an exhibition at the Milan Triennale dedicated to its collaboration with designers Lella and Massimo Vignelli , who contributed to the company’s visual identity. The project explores how wine can become a cultural object through design, graphics, and storytelling.
Italian wine and Italian oenology
Wine remains central to Italians’ habits
According to an analysis by the Nomisma Wine Monitor Observatory , 9 out of 10 Italians have consumed wine in the last year . However, the sector is changing:
- Global consumption fell from 236 to 215 million hectoliters between 2019 and 2024
- Italian consumption is stable ( 22.6 → 22.3 million hectolitres )
- Over the last twenty years , Italian exports have grown by 141%
Territory is increasingly emerging as a determining factor in purchasing choices .
Asti Rosé arrives: a new typology for the denomination
Piedmont officially introduces a new style: Asti Rosé , made with Moscato (70–90%) and Brachetto (10–30%) using the Martinotti method. The wine will be available in various versions, from sweet to extra brut , to meet the demands of international markets. Its commercial debut is expected at Vinitaly .
The return of Nas-Cëtta to the Langhe
Once nearly extinct, the native Nas-Cëtta grape is experiencing a resurgence in the Langhe. In the 1990s, experiments brought this rare white wine back to life, and today it is promoted by producers like Elvio Cogno and Le Strette , becoming a symbol of Piedmont’s viticultural biodiversity.
The “Italian model” of moderate consumption
A study promoted by Federvini and La Sapienza University highlights how Italy maintains a moderate and convivial drinking style. Over 80% of wine is consumed during meals, and average consumption is 8 liters of alcohol per capita , lower than the OECD average.
Prosecco still the driving force for Italian wine
The Prosecco system continues to grow:
- Prosecco DOC : 667 million bottles in 2025 (1.1%)
- Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG : 98 million (8%)
- Asolo Docg : 32 million (16%)
Over 82% of production is intended for export and Easter orders are estimated to grow by 4% .
High stocks in Italian cellars
The Cantina Italia report highlights 61 million hectolitres of wine in stock , an increase compared to 2024. This figure highlights the need for the sector to redesign production and market strategies .
Local wines prevail in restaurants
According to an analysis of the HoReCa market carried out by Trinko , between 70% and 75% of the labels in Italian restaurants come from the same region as the restaurant , confirming the strong link between wine, cuisine and territory .
Roero relaunches Arneis and Nebbiolo
The Roero area aims to strengthen its winemaking identity through the promotion of Arneis and Nebbiolo , with the aim of definitively emerging from the shadow of the Langhe.
Valoritalia expands its sustainability certifications
The Valoritalia certification body, which controls approximately 60% of Italian bottles with a denomination of origin , is expanding its activities towards environmental and sustainability certifications, such as Equalitas, VIVA and the ISO standard on carbon footprint .
“Consumers are confused”: the industry demands clarity.
Wine expert Graziana Grassini highlights how conflicting messages about health, prices, and alcohol consumption are creating confusion among consumers , highlighting the need for clearer communication from the industry.
International
Napa Valley in trouble
According to Silicon Valley Bank ‘s annual report, the U.S. wine industry saw declining revenues and production in 2025, with demand expected to bottom out between 2027 and 2028. Major groups such as E.&J. Gallo and Constellation Brands have announced staff reductions and industry reorganizations.
The EU-Australia agreement and the name Prosecco
The new trade agreement between the European Union and Australia stipulates that the name Prosecco cannot be used for Australian exports for ten years , although it will remain permitted on the domestic market as a varietal indication.
British viticulture is growing
In the United Kingdom, viticulture continues to expand. WineGB’s 2025 Harvest Report highlights a “mast year,” or exceptionally abundant vintage, confirming the consolidation of the quality of English wines.
Wine remains the favorite drink of the French
According to the SoWine Barometer 2026 , wine remains the most popular alcoholic beverage in France with 52% of preferences , ahead of beer and Champagne, despite a general trend of moderation in consumption.
The phenomenon of collectors with too many bottles
More and more collectors find themselves with cellars that are too large for their consumption. This phenomenon is fueling the secondary wine market and new strategies for managing private collections.
Wine events
Vinitaly 2026: over 4,000 exhibitors
The next edition of Vinitaly will see:
- 4,000 exhibitors
- 18 pavilions
- over 100,000 m2 of exhibition area
- more than 2,000 accredited journalists
The event confirms its position as one of the main international wine hubs.
OperaWine 2026 celebrates great Italian wine
The Wine Spectator event pays homage to the history of Italian wine and its protagonists, from Sassicaia to Tignanello , recounting the journey that has brought Italy to the pinnacle of world quality.
The “Cantine d’Italia 2026” guide has been presented.
The Go Wine guide dedicates ample space to winery visits, with information on production, hospitality, and wine tourism itineraries.
Sicily Trophy 2026
The event dedicated to the great Sicilian wines highlights the role of native vines , with Nero d’Avola as the protagonist of the island’s qualitative rebirth.
Wines of the Heart 2026 in Genoa
The guide, born from a social media project conceived by Olga Schiaffino, brought together producers and enthusiasts in Genoa for a tasting of the community’s most popular wines.
Italian wine also arrives at the cinema
The film “It’s Not the End of the World” , shot in Verona, brings the world of Valpolicella to the big screen, starring iconic wines such as Amarone Costasera and Campofiorin by Masi Agricola.
Strategic summary of the day
Today’s news shows a sector undergoing profound transformation :
- global consumption down but Italian exports still strong
- continued growth of some denominations such as Prosecco
- return of native vines and territorial identities
- increase in wine stocks in cellars
- economic tensions affecting some historic cooperatives
- increasingly intense international competition.
Italian wine remains one of the pillars of the national agri-food sector, but its future will increasingly depend on the ability to enhance territories, quality and global positioning .
Thanks for listening. Today’s wine press review was brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT .
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Italian wineries, Italian wine producers, and current wine news.
Italian wineries
Leonardo da Vinci Winery is in liquidation: a story spanning over 60 years has come to an end.
A symbolic event for the Tuscan wine cooperative has come to an end. The Ministry of Business and Made in Italy has ordered the compulsory administrative liquidation of the historic Cantine Leonardo da Vinci, founded in 1961. The company’s financial situation is now compromised: current assets of approximately €5.5 million, short-term debt of €13.5 million, negative equity, and ongoing litigation. The liquidation process has been entrusted to commissioner Luigi Zingone. A key point: this case confirms how financial strength, governance, and debt control are today just as crucial as the quality of the wine.
Caviro Group inaugurates its dealcoholization plant and presents its low-alcohol Tavernello sparkling wine.
Caviro is accelerating its no- and low-alcohol production with a €1.8 million investment in a new facility in San Felice sul Panaro, in the province of Modena. The 200-square-meter facility can process up to 30,000 liters per day, equivalent to a potential annual production of approximately 9 million bottles. The technology employed aims to reduce alcohol while preserving the wine’s aromatic profile and structure. Key point: the Italian cooperative sector is making a tangible entry into the dealcoholization supply chain, a sign that the market is changing more rapidly than many producers realize.
XtraWine launches “Vigne d’Italia”: a private label offering professional selection and producer anonymity.
The online wine club XtraWine presents a new private line of 17 labels distributed across four Italian regions: Piedmont, Tuscany, Veneto, and Alto Adige. The project strengthens the company’s positioning as a selector and brand owner, but it brings with it a delicate issue: the producer’s identity remains secondary to the commercial strength of the distribution brand. Key point: models are emerging that shift value from the winery to the distributor-brand, with significant implications for margins, recognition, and building relationships with consumers.
OperaWine: Cantina San Michele Appiano debuts among Wine Spectator’s “Classics”
The Alto Adige winery has entered OperaWine’s “Classics” category with its Sauvignon Sanct Valentin 2016. This recognition consolidates the company’s international presence and highlights the consistent quality it has built over the years. Key point: when a winery manages to combine style, identity, and consistency over time, international recognition becomes a real asset for positioning.
Masottina celebrates 80 years with a multi-vintage Prosecco
To celebrate its 80th anniversary, RDO Multivintage Brut is born, a blend of five vintages from 2020 to 2024. This launches the Venetian winery’s Heritage Collection and introduces a more experimental approach to Prosecco, inspired by the logic of classic method blends. Key point: innovation within a strong denomination is possible, but it must be done with stylistic rigor and clear brand consistency.
Eleusi, Mattia Binotto’s wine debut with the Trentino Chardonnay “Animantica.”
Cantina Eleusi’s first wine is called Animantica: a 2021 Chardonnay Trentino DOC, approximately 2,300 bottles from a forty-year-old vineyard in Faedo. The project was born with a strong identity and has already attracted attention thanks to Mattia Binotto, known for his Formula 1 career. Key point: new entries in the wine industry can only generate value if accompanied by long-term vision, technical credibility, and territorial authenticity.
Marchesi di Barolo: Barolo Coste di Rose 2022
The Abbona family’s 2022 Barolo Coste di Rose stands out for its elegance, freshness, precise tannins, and aromatic complexity. This label confirms the Piedmontese winery’s ability to interpret even complex vintages with restraint. Key point: true quality emerges especially when the vintage is challenging.
Flour: Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Mezzadro alla Fontana Riserva 2015
A reserve that chronicles the journey of the Farina family, from sharecroppers to contemporary interpreters of Valpolicella Classica. Limited production, only in the finest vintages, and long aging in barriques, large barrels, and bottle. Key point: family storytelling, when authentic and supported by quality, remains one of Italian wine’s strongest assets.
Bubble: Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Le Poiane 2020
Bolla confirms its leading role in Veneto wine with a production facility spanning 312 hectares and 3.7 million bottles. The brand, now part of Gruppo Italiano Vini, continues to operate consistently on international markets. Key point: the strength of a historic brand lies in its ability to remain recognizable even after changes in ownership and scale.
Cantina 366: Canavese Nebbiolo Vine Selection 2022
A lively, fresh, and drinkable Nebbiolo, created in a winery focused primarily on local whites. Careful vinification, light oak, and a balance focused more on tension than power. Key point: even less central appellations can generate interest when they interpret the grape variety with personality and contemporary lightness.
Arianna Occhipinti and the wines that break down stereotypes about the South
Vittoria has a consolidated vision: Southern reds aren’t necessarily brawny, but refined, fresh, territorial, and moderately alcohol-rich. Organic farming, spontaneous fermentations, the prevalent use of cement, and no filtration define a consistent and recognizable style. The key point: Southern wine continues to generate the most interesting signals when it stops chasing power and returns to interpreting identity and drinkability.
Italian wine and Italian oenology
Friuli designs the wine of the future: less alcohol and more resilient vineyards.
Alessandro Leon, president of Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo, looks to 2030, focusing on varietal resistance, new markets, and adapting to geopolitical and climate change. A strategic question is on the table: what kind of wine should Friuli produce to remain competitive? Key point: the future of wine depends on the ability to plan today for what the market will demand tomorrow, not simply defending the historical model.
Wine prices are falling: why is it cheaper than beer and spirits?
ISTAT data for January 2026 show a 1.9% drop in wine consumer prices compared to January 2025. Over the same period, spirits and liqueurs fell 0.5%, while beer stabilized. A structural deflationary phase in wine is thus consolidating. Key point: price pressure is no longer an episodic phenomenon, but rather a symptom of a deeper imbalance between supply, positioning, and demand.
Oltrepò: Wine prices rise, but grape values plummet.
According to Unioncamere, production will rise again by 32.6% in 2025 compared to 2024, though still below 2023 levels. Wine is growing, but the price paid to winemakers for their grapes continues to suffer. Key point: when the supply chain becomes polarized, the risk is that industrial recovery will not translate into agricultural income.
Wine & Business: “Healthy” Business Management According to Renzo Cotarella
Renzo Cotarella reiterates that today’s competitive winery must coherently integrate planning, finance, agronomy, cellar, people, marketing, and sustainability. Sound management isn’t a theory, but a measurable method. The key point: in modern wine, it’s not enough to make a good product; the business must be managed as a system.
Regenerative viticulture: initial experiences from the Bayer Crop Science project
The “Regenerate to Grow” project, launched in 2025 and explored in depth at the meeting on March 11, 2026, in San Patrignano, aims to integrate agronomic sustainability, digital support, and biodiversity monitoring. Key point: regenerative viticulture is moving beyond the theoretical stage and beginning to be tested with concrete field applications.
Mountain on the Wine Route: land of noble vines
A regional study dedicated to Montagna sulla Strada del Vino, in Alto Adige, where Pinot Noir, landscape, soil, and microclimate create a highly valuable winemaking identity. Key point: in strong terroirs, the denomination alone isn’t enough; the ability to express the place in a distinctive way is increasingly important.
Confused ideas about the price of wine
A reflection on the pricing debate: wine isn’t “too expensive” in an absolute sense, but rather its value is what the market is willing to recognize. In a global and hypercompetitive context, there are no artificial shortcuts to price formation. Key point: the real issue isn’t the price itself, but the perceived value and the ability to sustain it.
Puglia rediscovers its white grapes
The region is embarking on a strategic rebalancing that pairs structured reds with a new focus on whites, combining the rediscovery of local grape varieties, freshness, and the potential for market repositioning. Key point: Apulian whites can become a concrete lever for renewing the region’s image.
ISO certifications and wine: why they are an advantage for wineries
Organizational certifications, often perceived as mere formalities, are being reinterpreted as concrete tools for managing and improving processes. The topic is also addressed through the technical contribution of the Italian Wine Union. Key point: certifications create value when they become corporate governance methods, not just paperwork.
France and Italy invest over 1.3 million euros in alcohol reduction
The DEVIN0 cross-border project, funded by the Interreg VI-A France-Italy ALCOTRA Program, will launch on March 31st in Castagnito. Its focus: innovation, training, and development of alcohol-free de-alcoholization down to 0°C. Key point: de-alcoholization is no longer an experimental niche, but a strategic focus of research and training.
Venetian Prosecco and Radicchio at the Heart of the European Bioeconomy
The TeBiCE project has concluded its work in Legnaro, focusing on opportunities for valorizing agricultural biomass within the framework of a circular economy. Key point: winemaking supply chains will increasingly be judged by their ability to transform waste and byproducts into value.
Prosecco: resilient exports and growing orders for Easter 2026
According to Confindustria Veneto Est, Prosecco is holding up well on international markets and is seeing an estimated 4% increase in orders for Easter 2026. Key point: in a challenging period for Italian wine, Prosecco continues to stand out as a denomination with high commercial elasticity and strong global recognition.
International
The European Union allows Australia to use the Prosecco name on the domestic market.
The new trade agreement between the EU and Australia grants Australian producers the right to use the Prosecco name on the domestic market, while exports under that name must cease within 10 years. A key point: this sets a delicate precedent regarding geographical indications and the protection of the identity of European denominations.
Goodbye wine, Beijing chooses sobriety
China’s crackdown on conspicuous alcohol consumption at official events, combined with the economic slowdown, is severely impacting the demand for imported wine. The consequences are being felt from Bordeaux to Australia. Key point: China is no longer the mirror market many producers imagined; today, caution, repositioning, and a political as well as commercial perspective are required.
Which is better: wine or beer? A study on its effects on the heart.
An observational study of over 340,000 British adults, to be presented on March 28 at the American College of Cardiology, suggests possible differences in the cardiovascular impact of low-to-moderate consumption between wine and beer. Key point: this remains a highly sensitive topic, where communication and scientific rigor must be combined to avoid risky simplifications.
Wine events
Wine & Wellness at Tenuta Roletto
The experience that combines a winery tour, outdoor Pilates, and tasting is back. A format that ties together landscape, wellness, and conviviality. Key point: the most engaging wine tourism today is one that builds experiences, not just visits.
I WINE: Marche and Campania on display in Rome
The ninth edition of “IO VINO, Selezione da Vitigno Autoctono” brought to the capital a comparative reading of two regions distinct yet united by a strong viticultural identity. Key point: events dedicated to native grape varieties remain crucial for differentiating the Italian offering.
2026 Wine Proposal at Leopolda
In Florence, the presentation of the 2026 Proposta Vini catalog brought together over 200 exhibitors from Italy and abroad, with masterclasses and tastings focused on understanding the different regions and production styles. Key point: high-quality trade events continue to be strategic venues for selection, networking, and positioning.
DEVIN0: Official launch on March 31st in Castagnito
The presentation event for the Italy-France project on alcohol reduction will be one of the first structured discussions between research, education, and businesses on a topic expected to grow rapidly. Key point: the supply chain is beginning to organize itself culturally, not just technologically.
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