Vinitaly Expands Global Reach to Africa, Canada, Australia, and Brazil
- Vinitaly, the leading international exhibition for Italian wine and spirits, has launched its 58th edition in Verona, running from April 12 to April 15, 2026.
- The 2026 edition brings together nearly 4,000 Italian wine companies and professional operators from more than 130 countries.
- A central component of the 2025–2026 roadmap is the expansion of Vinitaly's international network.
Vinitaly, the leading international exhibition for Italian wine and spirits, has launched its 58th edition in Verona, running from April 12 to April 15, 2026. The event is focusing on a strategic global expansion to support the international growth of Italian winemaking companies through a coordinated roadmap involving new markets and enhanced connectivity.
The 2026 edition brings together nearly 4,000 Italian wine companies and professional operators from more than 130 countries. To facilitate business growth, Veronafiere, the organizer of the event, and the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) have selected and invited more than 1,000 top buyers to the fair.
Global Expansion and New Market Frontiers
A central component of the 2025–2026 roadmap is the expansion of Vinitaly’s international network. Veronafiere is currently working with the Italian Trade Agency to establish new Vinitaly legs in Australia, Canada, and Africa. The organization plans to double its presence in Brazil.
This strategy aims to consolidate the presence of Italian wine in strategic markets and increase the number of incoming professional operators. The expansion is part of a broader effort to provide Italian companies with institutional and commercial relationships to promote excellence worldwide.
Federico Bricolo, President of Veronafiere
Veronafiere continues to strengthen its efforts on its reference international markets, with the aim of supporting Italian wine companies along their journey of international growth
Demand remains particularly strong in North America, led by the United States and Canada, while Asian markets—including China, Japan, and Southeast Asia—continue to show growth. The expansion into Africa and South America reflects an effort to access both established and emerging global markets.
Structural Innovations and Wine Tourism
The 2026 exhibition marks a shift in how wine tourism is integrated into the event, moving from a thematic topic to a structural component of the exhibition. This is implemented through Vinitaly Tourism, which features an expanded format across two dedicated hubs: one located in the gallery between Halls 2 and 3, and another at Palaexpo.
These hubs provide a program of tastings, seminars, and industry discussions designed to connect wineries with tourism professionals, including travel designers, tour operators, and experiential specialists.
Beyond tourism, the event incorporates other specialized sectors and educational tools. These include Sol Expo, which focuses on the seed oil and extra virgin olive oil supply chain, and the Vinitaly International Academy, which provides training to spread qualified knowledge of Italian wine globally.
Industry Transition and Digital Evolution
The 58th edition reflects an industry in transition, balancing traditional winemaking with innovation and new consumption trends. This includes a growing emphasis on digital tools and the adaptation to evolving market demands.
Adolfo Rebughini, General Manager of Veronafiere, stated that over the last three years, the service function of Vinitaly has been expanded to serve as the reference platform for Italian wine across the main global markets. The current roadmap is designed to work in synergy with the Italian Trade Agency within a country system framework to encourage the growth of Italian companies.