OperaWine 2026: Italian Wine Looks to the Future Through Excellence, Wine Tourism and New International Horizons

OperaWine 2026: Italian Wine Looks to the Future Through Excellence, Wine Tourism and New International Horizons

The 15th edition of OperaWine 2026 has come to a close, once again confirming its status as one of the most authoritative events on the international wine calendar. Held annually on the eve of Vinitaly, the prestigious tasting offers a snapshot of the finest expressions of Italian wine before the opening of Italy’s leading wine exhibition.

Organised by Veronafiere in partnership with Wine Spectator, the event brought together 150 Italian wineries in Verona, selected to represent the very best of Italian winemaking on global markets, with particular attention to the United States, the leading strategic destination for premium Italian wines.

Wine Spectator and the Bridge to the American Market

With more than 3.5 million readers worldwide, over 10,000 wines tasted blind each year, and one of the most influential editorial platforms in the industry, Wine Spectator remains a global benchmark for wine criticism, information and market analysis. Since 2012, OperaWine has been the magazine’s only event held outside the United States.

The 2026 selection was curated by Jeffery Lindenmuth, together with Alison Napjus and Bruce Sanderson, both of whom attended the event in Verona. Among the highlights of the day was the opportunity to meet Bruce Sanderson and Alison Napjus in person, two of the most influential voices in communicating Italian wine to international audiences.

Bruce Sanderson has long been regarded as one of the leading figures in international wine criticism, with extensive expertise in Italy’s appellations and a keen understanding of the industry’s qualitative and commercial evolution. Alison Napjus, one of the publication’s most influential editors, oversees editorial content and tastings while maintaining a strong focus on the evolving role of Italian wine in international markets.

During the presentation, Alison Napjus emphasised the symbolic importance of OperaWine as Wine Spectator’s only international tasting event, noting that the wineries featured in Verona continue to inspire the magazine’s editorial work year after year. She also explained that the introduction of the New Voices category reflects the desire to broaden the representation of Italian excellence while opening new perspectives for future editions.

The Three Categories of OperaWine 2026

One of the defining features of the 2026 edition is the introduction of a new classification designed to better reflect the evolution of the Italian wine industry.

Legacy Icon – 31 wineries

Producers that have participated since the very first OperaWine in 2012. These wineries helped shape the identity of the event and remain historical benchmarks for Italian wine worldwide.

Classic – 69 wineries

Leading producers from Italy’s most renowned wine regions and appellations, recognised as authoritative ambassadors of their respective territories.

New Voices – 50 wineries

Wineries founded from 1990 onwards, representing a new generation of Italian wine built on innovation, quality and entrepreneurial vision. Together, these three categories effectively illustrate the strength of Italy’s wine industry: tradition, reputation and the ability to continuously reinvent itself.

From a stylistic perspective, the selection once again highlights the dominance of red wines, with 114 labels. They are joined by 28 still white wines, 7 sparkling wines and 1 sweet wine. The distribution reflects the enduring international appeal of Italy’s great red appellations while also signalling growing interest in distinctive regional whites and premium sparkling wines.

Geographically, Tuscany leads the selection with 48 wineries, followed by Piedmont (24), Sicily (15) and Veneto (12), reaffirming the central role these regions continue to play within Italy’s increasingly diverse and competitive wine landscape.

Institutions: Wine, Tourism and National Identity

The opening ceremony was attended by Francesco Lollobrigida, Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, Adolfo Urso, Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy, the newly appointed Minister of Tourism Gianmarco Mazzi, together with Matteo Zoppas, Damiano Tommasi, Flavio Massimo Pasini, and Veronafiere’s leadership including Federico Bricolo, Barbara Ferro and Gianni Bruno.

In his speech, Lollobrigida recalled that it was in Verona, together with Gianmarco Mazzi during his previous role as Undersecretary for Culture, that the campaign to nominate Italian Cuisine as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage was officially launched. A symbolic milestone linking wine, gastronomy and national identity.

The Minister also highlighted the shift that has taken place in recent years: while visitors once came to Italy primarily for its monuments and landscapes, an increasing number now choose the country to experience its food and wine culture. This transformation makes wine tourism a strategic tool for attracting new visitors while generating value across local territories.

Wine tourism emerged as one of the central themes throughout the day. Gianmarco Mazzi announced his intention to give particular attention to the sector, stressing that bringing visitors into wineries means promoting culture, landscapes and local economies while fostering direct sales and more authentic relationships between producers and consumers.

At the same time, the UNESCO nomination concerning Amarone remains an important topic, focusing on the traditional knowledge associated with the appassimento drying technique. It reflects the growing recognition of Italy’s wine heritage not only as an agricultural asset but also as an expression of cultural identity. It was therefore fitting that Verona’s mayor, Damiano Tommasi, greeted the audience with the words: “Happy Vinitaly, and above all, happy Amarone.”

The emphasis placed on wine tourism during OperaWine will continue throughout Vinitaly Tourism, taking place from 12 to 15 April as part of the 58th edition of Vinitaly.

Wine tourism is no longer simply about telling the story of a region. It has become a structured tourism product and a genuine economic driver capable of creating value through experiences, relationships and new hospitality models.

The project will be organised across two dedicated venues:

• Vinitaly Tourism Hall (Gallery between Halls 2 and 3), featuring conferences, B2B meetings, experiential tastings and exhibition spaces.
• Vivaldi Hall (Palaexpo), dedicated to industry research, future market scenarios and the international positioning of Italian wine tourism.

The initiative is promoted by Veronafiere together with Wine Tourism Hub, Nomisma, Roberta Garibaldi, Movimento Turismo del Vino and Wine Meridian, with the aim of connecting global supply and demand through a structured international platform.

OperaWine Beyond the Tasting

More than an elite tasting, OperaWine continues to offer one of the clearest perspectives on the present and future of Italian wine. Established regions and emerging producers coexist within a narrative that looks confidently ahead.

The 2026 edition delivers a clear message: Italian wine remains highly competitive and globally desirable, but above all it continues to evolve by integrating culture, tourism and experience into its identity. That is where a significant part of its future growth will undoubtedly be shaped.

The complete list of participating wineries by category

Legacy Icon:

Classic:

New Voices: