Bologna Wine Week 2026 From May 15th to 18th

Bologna Wine Week returns for its fourth edition from May 15 to 18, 2026. This event dedicated to wine culture brings together approximately 50 wineries from across Italy, along with leading national consortia, in the heart of the city. The 2026 edition will be held at Palazzo Isolani , a historic venue in the center of Bologna, which for three days will become a meeting point for producers, industry professionals, and wine lovers. "Our primary goal is to make the world of wine more accessible and less intimidating for the public ," emphasizes event organizer Gianmarco Gabarello. " The idea is to break down the barriers that often keep people away: wine is perceived as a complex, almost elitist environment, where many fear they lack the right skills to participate. Precisely for this reason, the event aims to create a more welcoming, informal, and inclusive environment, where anyone can approach without fear." Bologna Wine Week is therefore intended as an opportunity for discovery and dialogue, facilitating encounters between the public, producers, and professionals in a simple, direct, and light-hearted manner. The language is deliberately "pop": less technical, more immediate, capable of engaging even those who aren't normally involved in this sector. Another distinctive feature is the youthful and dynamic approach, featuring music, food, and social gatherings: " We've conceived a hybrid format that combines the best of previous editions, characterized by an open and highly participatory spirit (the first two years in Piazza Minghetti) and the move to a more institutional location (Palazzo Re Enzo), " Gabarello explains. " On the one hand, we want to maintain the quality and structure of the tastings in a more intimate and refined space, and on the other, we recapture the energy of the piazza, with music, food, and social gatherings open to the public ." The goal is to create a dynamic and inclusive environment: a light-hearted and convivial atmosphere that invites people to participate freely, while also allowing those who wish to delve deeper through the tastings, the heart of the event. This way, the overall experience remains accessible and engaging, without sacrificing quality, and maintains that “pop” character that contributed to the success of the first editions.

The fourth edition of Bologna Wine Week kicks off on Friday, May 15th with an evening DJ set. On Saturday, May 16th, and Sunday, May 17th, the event will be open to the public, with two days dedicated to wine tastings, punctuated by live music featuring eight live concerts and six DJ sets. Eight masterclasses are scheduled. Monday, May 18th , will be entirely reserved for industry professionals—horeca, buyers, distributors, and the press. The courtyard of Palazzo Isolani will be open to the public and will feature Bologna's most important brands. Throughout the week, Bologna Wine Week will extend beyond the main venue, engaging the city with guided tastings and in-depth discussions featuring restaurants, producers, and consortia. This format will also continue on Saturday and Sunday, with tastings at venues in the city center and a network of selected venues featured within Ban Ban (official website), the new Bologna guide and official partner of the event. Bologna Wine Week thus confirms its status as a project that goes beyond simple tastings, distinguishing itself as the only wine event in the historic center capable of truly connecting the world of wine production with the city. The goal is to create a meeting point between production, distribution, and informed consumption, enhancing Bologna's position as a city of gastronomy and culture and promoting the culture of wine and fine drinking. The 2026 edition consolidates a focused and curated format, with a select number of exhibitors to ensure a quality experience and concrete networking opportunities.

Here is the updated program of the event

https://www.bolognawineweek.it