The 57th edition of Vinitaly opened today, April 6, 2025, showcasing the best of Italian viticulture with a particular focus on the wines from Lombardy, Brescia, Salerno, and Sicily. This prestigious event, held at Veronafiere, will run until April 9, 2025, and is a significant platform for wine producers to present their exceptional products to both national and international markets.
In the Lombardy pavilion, over 80 wineries from Brescia are on display, featuring 84 unique labels alongside stands from various consortia dedicated to Franciacorta, Lugana, Valtènesi, Montenetto, Valcamonica, and the Ente Vini Bresciani. A total of more than 150 entities are showcased in exhibition spaces financed by UnionCamere Lombardia, with 63 representing Brescia, highlighting a diverse production that includes 5 Docg, 21 Doc, and 15 Igt wines.
Lombardy is poised to shine at Vinitaly 2025, particularly as it prepares for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina in 2026. This event is seen as a unique opportunity to celebrate the region's winemaking excellence and strengthen ties with foreign consumers who increasingly appreciate Lombard wines. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Lombardy pavilion took place today at noon, with a visit from Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida scheduled for 3 PM, hosted by regional councilor for Agriculture Alessandro Beduschi.
According to provisional data from ISTAT, the value of Lombardy's wine exports has nearly doubled in the past 15 years, soaring from 176 million euros in 2009 to over 312 million euros in 2024. The 2024 harvest yielded 935,000 hectoliters of wine, equating to about 125 million potential bottles, with an impressive 86% classified as quality wines—significantly above the national average of 75%.
Over the past year, the prices of Lombardy's wine production have increased by 5.5%, demonstrating that a focus on quality yields widespread benefits for a sector that continues to thrive. The region contributes 3% to Italy's national wine production and boasts around 8% of the country's quality designations.
Attilio Fontana, the President of the Lombardy Region, praised the region's wine heritage, stating, "The wine heritage of Lombardy is an excellence rooted in the richness and variety of our territory. Our mountains, which will host the Winter Olympics in less than a year, have been chosen to represent the image of the Lombardy Pavilion at Vinitaly, an event that serves as an exceptional international showcase for our wines."
Alessandro Beduschi, the regional councilor for Agriculture, emphasized the importance of quality in Lombardy's wine sector. He noted, "Our wines are not just a heritage available to millions of consumers worldwide, as evidenced by the export growth over the last 15 years, but also a significant economic resource. Nearly 3,000 active businesses in our territory have created stable employment for almost 6,500 people, marking an 11.2% increase compared to a decade ago, along with thousands of seasonal and indirect workers. This is a solid sector, deeply rooted in tradition but looking to the future, especially with the 2026 Olympics as a perfect showcase for our heritage."
The Salerno province also made its mark at Vinitaly, with 14 local brands and companies represented under the Campania region's stand. The Chamber of Commerce of Salerno, led by Andrea Prete, is promoting the "GustoSa" project, which offers visitors a sensory journey through the authentic flavors of the region, paired with local wines and liquors.
Pasquale Giglio, the Vice President of the Salerno Chamber of Commerce, mentioned, "This year, for the first time, we have worked proactively to include small Cilento businesses, helping to reduce costs for participation." The focus on Cilento's wines is part of a broader initiative to enhance tourism and economic growth in the area, with a strong emphasis on the region's rich culinary and viticultural heritage.
Despite concerns regarding tariffs that could impact local businesses, Andrea Ferraioli, President of the Salerno Wine Consortium, expressed confidence in the resilience of Salerno's wine producers. "The presence of Salerno companies at Vinitaly is crucial for reinforcing aspects related to the territory, environment, and economic and social sustainability," he stated.
Meanwhile, Sicily is also showcasing its viticultural excellence at Vinitaly 2025, with 94 wineries participating in Pavilion 2 and 28 organic producers in Pavilion 11. The Sicilian Region's stand aims to blend tradition with innovation, featuring tastings and presentations that highlight the island's unique wine heritage.
Renato Schifani, President of the Sicilian Region, attended the inauguration and underscored the region's commitment to supporting its wine producers amid the challenges posed by new tariffs. "The region will do everything possible to mitigate the negative effects of these new tariff measures. We stand by our producers, ready to support the sector with targeted and concrete initiatives," he affirmed.
Sicily, recognized as the second-largest region in Italy for vineyard area, boasts 24 Dop wines, including one Docg and 23 Doc, and leads the country in organic viticulture with nearly 25% of the national organic grape area. The region's commitment to sustainability and innovation is evident, as it seeks to promote its wines internationally while preserving its unique cultural identity.
As the event continues over the next few days, Vinitaly 2025 promises to be a vibrant celebration of Italian viticulture, showcasing the rich diversity and quality of wines from across the regions, while also addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the industry in a global market.
