Rome, 26 March 2026. The 58th edition of Vinitaly , the International Wine and Spirits Exhibition, scheduled at Veronafiere from 12 to 15 April , looks to markets with targeted incoming and new trends with dedicated areas. The event was presented today in Rome – at Palazzo Montecitorio – in the presence of the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Lorenzo Fontana , the Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Francesco Lollobrigida and the President of ITA-Italian Trade Agency, Matteo Zoppas , as well as the top management of the fair , Federico Bricolo , president, and Gianni Bruno , deputy general director.
With nearly 4,000 Italian wine companies present at the fairgrounds, a revamped format and content, and a schedule of over 100 official events, including tastings and focus sessions, the event consolidates its ability to attract and connect global operators. A hub for business relations in the main historic and emerging destinations for Italian wine, this is further confirmed by the initial results of the Veronafiere/ITA – Italian Trade Agency incoming campaign, which is currently entering its final phase. To date, over 1,000 top buyers have been selected, invited, and hosted jointly by the trade fair company and the public agency responsible for promotion. Additional international professionals from over 130 countries are also expected.
“In an increasingly complex international landscape, Vinitaly is strengthening its role as a driving force for the internationalization of Italian wine, thanks in part to a highly targeted incoming system that enables us to tap into qualified demand and guide companies towards new development paths in foreign markets without neglecting domestic consumption, to which we dedicate targeted research,” stated Veronafiere President Federico Bricolo . “For this reason, the event evolves in tune with market changes and the needs of companies, offering tools, content, and meeting opportunities increasingly targeted at supporting the competitiveness of the sector. Our goal,” Bricolo concluded, “is to offer structured solutions to the wine industry, supporting companies not only on a commercial level but also on the strategic issues that will shape its future.”
For now, the North American delegation (USA and Canada) leads the way among the 70 countries of origin of the profiled operators involved in the strategic plan and present at the upcoming Vinitaly, already recording the success of the Canadian contingent (31 top buyers compared to 2025). Also outside the EU , engagement with Asian demand for Italian wine has been strengthened, driven by China, but with growing accreditations expected from India, Japan, Thailand—which also host Vinitaly’s international events—as well as Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The South American region is positioned for the largest incoming program in 2026, with Brazil and Mexico among the most dynamic markets. Operators from Africa are also growing strongly, with their scope of action expanded to 10 countries this year. Within Europe, Germany and the Nordic countries confirm the centrality of Italian wine in their respective markets. Several Eastern European nations complete the geographical area.
In terms of themes and formats, Vinitaly 2026 is further expanding and diversifying its offering, capturing emerging trends and strengthening the integration between supply chains, content, and business opportunities. Among the key innovations is the expansion of the No-Lo Alcohol project with NoLo – Vinitaly Experience : the startup, in collaboration with Unione Italiana Vini, is debuting with a new exhibition location (2nd floor of Palaexpo) and a structured calendar of tastings, masterclasses, and market focus sessions on a rapidly growing segment. The spirits and mixology offering is also being revamped with Xcellent Spirits : a dedicated area (Hall C) created with Gang of Spirits, designed to foster connections between the worlds of wine and spirits internationally.
Wine tourism is increasingly central to Vinitaly Tourism , which is consolidating its presence, including at the exhibition level, with a program covering every day of the event and strengthening the calendar of B2B meetings thanks to a targeted incoming of buyers and specialized tour operators, supported by new experiential formulas dedicated to the regions and wineries. Vinitaly features two thematic hubs for wine tourism: the first, created by Veronafiere and Wine Tourism Hub in collaboration with partners Wine Suite, Wine Meridian, and Winedering in the gallery between pavilions 2 and 3; and the second, entirely organized by the fair in the Vivaldi Hall (Palexpo, first floor), with four focus groups, including conferences, surveys, and research projects curated by the Wine Tourism Movement, Roberta Garibaldi (tourism expert, professor of Tourism Management at the University of Bergamo), Unicredit-Nomisma Wine Monitor, and the University of Verona and BAM Strategie culturali in collaboration with ArtVerona. There’s also space for catering, with targeted and expanded concepts celebrating Italian cuisine, a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. Michelin-starred chefs and promising young international talents will be present.
The evolution also involves services and digital, with the strengthening of Vinitaly Plus , centered around the new Buyers Club , the networking platform that this year fosters two-way business between registered international producers and buyers, and the debut of Bacco AI . Alongside these new features, the appointments and thematic areas that complement the exhibition and content offerings are confirmed, along with the program of events that, from Vinitaly OperaWine (April 11) to the off-show Vinitaly and the City (April 10-12), contribute to strengthening the connection between business, regions, and the public.
The presentation of Vinitaly 2026 in the Sala della Lupa of the Chamber of Deputies was preceded by the talk “ Courage and Vision: Wine Pioneers Look to the Future, ” featuring speakers from Piero Antinori, Marco Caprai, Paolo Damilano, Gaetano Marzotto, and José Rallo, moderated by Luciano Ferraro, deputy editor of Corriere della Sera.
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Statements.
Lorenzo Fontana , President of the Chamber of Deputies: “Vinitaly confirms its ability to renew itself every year and remains a point of reference for the sector. In these challenging times, it is essential to focus on quality and innovation, open up to new markets, and promote a wine culture that recognizes its value as a product of identity and a symbol of local areas, encouraging informed and responsible consumption.”
Francesco Lollobrigida, Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty: “This year at Vinitaly, we are celebrating the achievement of Italian Cuisine as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, of which wine is an integral part. Masaf will be present with a symbolic stand, a large bottle that conveys that ‘Italy is inside,’ with its regions, art, culture, and work. This is the necessary foundation for a vision that is not only commercial, but also cultural and identity-based, capable of opening new markets by promoting what makes Italian wine unique. Today, the way we consume wine has changed; we drink less but better, and this evolution must be accompanied by innovative ideas and a narrative capable of making wine increasingly compatible with common sensibilities, without sacrificing its identity and economic value. Defending and promoting Italian wine means supporting our production chains, protecting jobs, and strengthening Italy’s role as a global benchmark for quality.”
Matteo Zoppas , President of ITA-Italian Trade Agency: “In a complex geopolitical and economic context, Vinitaly confirms its position as a strategic partner for the international promotion of Italian wine, thanks to a recognized brand and consolidated credibility on global markets,” commented Matteo Zoppas, President of ITA-Italian Trade Agency. “The targeted initiatives and internationalization efforts we are pursuing together represent a key tool for supporting companies abroad. The current significant critical issues,” Zoppas continued, “make it even more necessary to strengthen export support policies. In this context, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) has obtained new resources for promotion, with particular attention to the wine sector and the support of platforms of excellence like Vinitaly. It should not be forgotten that the Verona fair is and remains a global reference point for Italian wine.”
