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During its nearly six-decade history, Vinitaly Verona has evolved to become much more than a simple fair. With over 4,000 exhibitors and up to 155,000 visitors, this event is ideal for establishing commercial agreements, expanding contact networks, and discovering the latest trends in the wine world. As professionals in the sector, we have the unique opportunity to taste an extraordinary variety of wines and spirits, from distinguished reds and whites to exclusive sparkling wines and dessert wines.

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What is Vinitaly and why is it so important‍

Since its birth, Vinitaly has transformed the global wine landscape, becoming an undisputed reference for producers, buyers, and sector experts.

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History and evolution since 1967‍

The journey of Vinitaly officially began on September 22 and 23, 1967, in Verona's Palazzo della Gran Guardia with the first "Giornate del Vino Italiano" (Italian Wine Days). This modest initiative represented the birth certificate of what would become a global phenomenon. By 1969, it already featured 130 wineries exhibiting their products, and in 1971 it formally evolved into "Vinitaly - Exposición de Attività Vitivinicole" (Exhibition of Viticultural Activities), transforming into a true commercial event. During these first years, the event included auctions of fine wines directed by Mario Soldati, along with a section dedicated to oenological machinery and equipment.

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Growth as an international fair‍

In 1978, Vinitaly officially obtained "international" status, opening its doors to foreign companies. This change marked the beginning of its global expansion. Currently, Vinitaly attracts approximately 97,000 visitors, including 32,000 international professionals representing a 7% increase from the previous year. The presence of importers from the United Kingdom and France (both with a 30% increase), the United States (+5%), and Germany (+5%) demonstrates its growing international reach. With over 4,000 exhibiting companies from numerous countries, Vinitaly has established itself as a central strategic platform for the Italian and global wine industry.

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Vinitaly Italy as a global brand ‍

Since 2022, Veronafiere has accelerated the international development plan for Vinitaly, turning the event into the main tool for positioning Italian wine production in the world's key markets. The Vinitaly Around the World program supports companies in their internationalization process, creating concrete business opportunities in strategic markets. This international calendar includes fairs, roadshows, and pre-events in cities like Brussels, Chengdu, Brazil, Kazakhstan, and the United States. Furthermore, Vinitaly has diversified its offering with complementary events like Sol&Agrifood (international exhibition of extra virgin olive oil and quality agro-food products) and Enolitech (exhibition of innovative technologies applied to the wine, beer, and oil supply chain), thus consolidating its role as a global reference in the wine sector.

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‍What Vinitaly 2026 offers to wine professionals‍

For those of us who work in the wine industry, Vinitaly 2026 represents an exceptional opportunity that goes far beyond a simple exhibition. During four intense days, Verona transforms into the global epicenter of wine, offering a complete experience oriented towards business and professional development.

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Exclusive tastings‍

At Vinitaly Verona we will be able to taste over 18,000 wines from 32 countries, exploring the latest trends and innovations. The specialized thematic areas will include Vinitaly Bio, Vinitaly Mixology, Micro Mega Wines, International Wine Hall, Vinitaly Tasting, and Xcellent Beers. Furthermore, the Alto Adige Wines Consortium will organize daily thematic tasting sessions with a selection of 20 wines, for which we can register at pavilion 6.

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Seminars and master classes‍

The Vinitaly 2026 program will include over 400 significant events among conferences, masterclasses, and seminars on current sector topics. These educational spaces will allow us to deepen our knowledge, interact with experts, and follow a unique journey through the flavors, culture, tradition, and innovation of the wine world. The sessions will address everything from production techniques to market and promotion strategies.

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B2B meetings and networking‍

The fair will attract over 30,000 international operators from 140 countries, creating an ideal environment for establishing strategic contacts. During the three days, we will have multiple opportunities for networking, exploring new markets, and consolidating business relationships. Vinitaly effectively functions as a promotional tool for Italian wine abroad, showcasing its extraordinary potential expressed through a unique diversity of grape varieties.

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Industry awards and recognitions‍

Among the most distinguished awards is "5StarWines – the Book," organized by Veronafiere in collaboration with Assoenologi. This selection process includes a three-day blind tasting with an international jury, culminating in an official guide collecting all wines with a score of 90 points or higher. Also noteworthy is the "Vinitaly Design Award," which in its 30th edition will award the best packaging designs for wines, spirits, beers, and extra virgin olive oils, fostering continuous improvement in brand image.

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Practical information for attending Vinitaly Verona‍

Planning our visit to Vinitaly in advance will guarantee a hassle-free experience during this important wine event.

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Official dates and hours‍

The 58th edition of Vinitaly will be held from April 12 to 15, 2026, in Verona. The opening hours will be from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM for all days of the event. This annual fair dedicated to the global wine supply chain will bring together thousands of professionals and enthusiasts during four intense days.

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How to get Vinitaly tickets‍

To attend Vinitaly 2026, we must first register on the event's official website to obtain our access badge. Although ticket sales are not yet available, we will soon be able to purchase them through the official website. It is advisable to buy tickets in advance to avoid queues and setbacks at the entrances during the busiest days.

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Location and how to get to Veronafiere‍

Veronafiere is strategically located at Viale del Lavoro 8, Verona. To get there by car, we can access from:

• Highway A22: exit "Verona Nord," then take "Tangenziale Sud" towards Vicenza and exit at exit 6 for Alpo (7 km total)
• Highway A4: exit "Verona Sud" and follow signs for "Fiera" (1 km total)
  On the other hand, the exhibition center has 12,300 parking spaces and is connected by urban buses 21, 22, 24, 61, 73, 93, and 98.

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Accommodation and nearby hotels‍

Due to Vinitaly's enormous popularity, it is recommended to book accommodation well in advance. There are various options near the exhibition center, such as Hotel Maxim (from 37€/night), Best Western Hotel de Capuleti, or Hotel Europa. Likewise, Villa Balis Crema offers a strategic location, tranquility in the Veronese hills, and transportation service to the exhibition center (subject to availability).

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Parallel events and international expansion‍

Vinitaly transcends the limits of a simple trade fair, expanding through complementary initiatives that strengthen its global positioning.

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Vinitaly and the City: urban experience‍

This parallel event, designed specifically for the general public and wine enthusiasts, offers an extraordinary journey through local products and areas. It will be held in Verona from April 10 to 12, 2026, and in Sibari, Calabria, from July 18 to 20, 2025. During these days, attendees can enjoy tastings, meetings, and wine talks in squares, palaces, and exclusive locations in these cities.

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Enolitech: technology for win

‍Since 1998, this international exhibition dedicated to design equipment, products, and technologies for wine and beer production has been held within the same exhibition grounds as Vinitaly. It functions as a technology and innovation hub, organized in two experiential areas: one dedicated to wineries and another to restaurant services.

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Vinitaly Around the World: global roadshows‍

Through this program, Vinitaly supports companies in their internationalization process, creating concrete business opportunities in strategic markets. The 2025-2026 calendar includes events in Tokyo, Belgrade, Tirana, New Delhi, Chengdu, Bento Gonçalves, Shenzhen, Almaty, and the United States.

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Vinitaly Academy and professional training‍

The Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) aspires to be the gold standard in Italian wine education. It offers certifications such as Italian Wine Maestro, Italian Wine Ambassador, and Italian Wine Expert, forming a global network of highly qualified professionals who promote Italian wine worldwide.

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Conclusion‍

Vinitaly 2026 undoubtedly represents an unmissable event for all wine sector professionals and enthusiasts. This grand event not only allows us to taste thousands of exceptional wines but also provides us with unique opportunities to establish valuable commercial contacts and expand our knowledge of the latest market trends.

The historical trajectory of Vinitaly from that modest beginning in 1967 to becoming the most important wine fair in Europe clearly demonstrates its international relevance and prestige. Currently, any winery or professional seeking global projection must consider their participation in this event as a fundamental strategy.

Furthermore, parallel events like Vinitaly and the City, Enolitech, and international roadshows perfectly complement the main experience, offering us multiple perspectives on this exciting industry. This diversification evidently strengthens Vinitaly's role as a comprehensive platform for sector development.

Therefore, if we work in the wine industry, we must take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity to connect with thousands of professionals, discover new products and trends, and boost our business. Early planning is essential, especially to secure convenient accommodation and get the most out of our visit to Verona.

Vinitaly 2026 certainly promises to be a memorable event that will bring the best of the wine world together under one roof. There is no doubt that this fair will continue to be the epicenter of wine innovation, business, and culture for many more years.

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