Vinitaly Exhibition Centre was already fully booked more than two months before the opening on 12 April, but it is expanding its offering this year even further into new market segments. It is investing in content and new formats, as well as in accelerating the plan  of coordinating with more than 70 target countries in collaboration with their local centers of Italian Trade Agency (ITA).

Vinitaly also hopes to strengthen the structural dialogue with the catering industry and local areas to promote the role of wine tourism. It has been well established that wine tourism helps the wine drinkers engage with the producers and the show plans to take a lead in this side of marketing Italy along with the wines.

These are the main guidelines announced for the 58th edition of the only international event entirely dedicated to Italian wine scheduled at Veronafiere 12-15 April; earlier there was a small presence of foreign producers many of whom I met when I went to Vinitaly for the first time in 2002.

“Vinitaly is not just an international trade fair, it is the global platform for Italian wine that also interprets evolution in this sector. In today’s complex context,” said the President of Veronafiere, Federico Bricolo whom I met at the Preview of Vinitaly Roadshow India in November 2025 at the Residence of Italian Ambassador, Antonio Bartoli.

“We are working to improve on the 500+ B2B meetings organized during the 2025 event and also constantly enhance and update our offering in line with company expectations and trends. Companies, buyers, and institutions converge on Vinitaly as the only event that fully represents Italy’s wine offering; such authentic strength also distinguishes us on an international scale,.” Added Bricolo.

NoLo Vinitaly experience

The main innovations for the 2026 edition include the development of NoLo–Vinitaly Experience in partnership with Unione Italiana Vini (UIV), following last year’s pilot project, No/Low Alcohol content will have a new platform at Vinitaly this year in a specific exhibition area on the second floor of Palaexpo (perhaps where the olive oil exhibition used to be held years ago}, bringing together the entire supply chain, with the main Italian product and technology brands.

The Wine Bar-Store is also back, while the schedule of tastings and master classes is being finalized, alongside educational and informative events focusing on this constantly growing segment, from production to consumption.

Even Xcellent Spirits is having a facelift with the debut of an entire 1,000 sq. mtrs show hall designed to promote a global connection between wines and spirits supply chains. As part of a long-term development plan, the new Show has collaborated with Gang of Spirits and will come forward as a format representative of the entire reference ecosystem in Spirits and Drinks & Mix areas. International masterclasses will also be held to expand skills, insights, and trends on the global market. Masterclasses at Vinitaly are known for their high standards and quality.

Wine Tourism and Vinitaly

Wine tourism is now an integral part of the current edition with Vinitaly Tourism and isconsolidating its position. There will be a daily calendar of events including conferences, talks, research and best practices. Veronafiere, the owner and organizer of the Show, has already activated an incoming plan for specialist buyers and tour operators to boost the B2B agenda in the business point area and on company stands. The offerings also include tailor-made incoming experience packages for European buyers.

Evolution also extends into digital services and the exhibition concept to connect companies and operators more easily. The Vinitaly Plus app will connect producers, buyers, and consumers all year round. Starting this year, exhibiting wineries can contact buyers directly to schedule their events during the show without waiting for an official invitation from interested operators.

The exhibition layout of Vinitaly 2026 will have several improvements.
The Raw Wine super-tasting- world’s largest network of natural, low-intervention, organic and biodynamic wines is back on Monday 13 April. Areas including Vinitaly Bio, Amphora Revolution in collaboration with Merano Wine Festival, are some of the highlights. .

As always, Vinitaly Opera Wine will be held as always, a day before the main show, on Saturday 11 April), with 150 wineries selected by Wine Spectator in the three new categories conceived by the US magazine: “Legacy Icon”, “Classic” and a third “New Voices” category especially for 2026”.

Wine lovers and people curious about wine will welcome the return of Vinitaly and the City (Verona, evening of Friday 10 and then Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April), the pop-culture event in the heart of the city which this year, in collaboration with the Valpolicella Wine Route, also welcomes wine tourism.

On purchasing a tasting voucher booklet, wine enthusiasts will also receive an Experience Token which can be used from 13 April to 3 May for a visit and tasting at the 12 wineries currently signed up for this event. The goal is to replicate the initiative in other areas as well. The general public will also enjoy the launch of Vinitaly & the Night, the party evenings scheduled on 11,12-14 April.

If you love Italy or Italian wines, Vinitaly should be a must-visit event in your calendar but you are advised to book your hotels well in advance.

Cav. Subhash Arora