UMBRIA TOP AT VINITALY 2026: "VINE STYLES," A STORY OF IDENTITY, INSPIRATION, AND CONTEMPORANEITY

An evocative and profoundly identifying concept: “Vine Styles” is the focus that leaves the graphic and symbolic mark of Vinitaly 2026 by Umbria Top , the cooperative that brings together the excellence of Umbrian winemaking from 12 to 15 April at the Verona Fair.

A project that goes beyond a simple trade fair exhibition to become a collaborative narrative of Umbrian culture , encompassing history, spirituality, and modernity, of which wine is a key ambassador. The theme chosen for 2026 fits into a year of significant change and offers the opportunity to tell the world how Umbrian wine is born from a system of values founded on collaboration, identity, and a sense of belonging. In this vision, style is not an aesthetic element but a cultural substance : it is the strength found in every grape, every production choice, and every bottle, becoming the distinctive trait of Umbrian wine.

This year, too, institutions, organizations, and spokespeople are contributing their activities to promoting and enhancing the uniqueness of the region: the Department of the PNRR, of Agricultural and Agri-food Policies, of Mountains and Inland Areas, of Parks and Lakes, of Tourism and Sports, the Umbria Chamber of Commerce and Promocamera Umbria, Assogal Umbria - with its 5 LAGs, and 3A Agri-food Technology Park of Umbria.

The design and graphics of the Umbria Top exhibition space and the new pavilion D, which houses the cooperative, were curated by the creative Carlo Guttadauro , reveal an idea of space that develops as an immersive environment, in which images of the landscape, faces of great figures of the region, material details and authorial words create an energetic and contemplative atmosphere.

The concept finds a powerful visual translation inside the pavilion, where the graphic " leporello " accompanies the visitor along the entire perimeter of the exhibition space. The narrative unfolds through the fusion of different visual languages: classical elements, of pictorial origin and inspired by the Umbrian artistic tradition, intertwine with contemporary signs, creating a harmonious dialogue between past and present.

" This is an edition of courageous choices for Umbria ," says Simona Meloni , regional councilor for agricultural and agri-food policies, " and we really tried to go all out, even in the face of controversy surrounding the location of the stand, ultimately deciding to go it alone. We focused on the identity of our region, with our products, our excellence, all our territories, and with new protagonists, without forgetting the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis, to remember Umbria as a land of peace and spirituality. We also focused on Vine Styles to remember the work of man and those who have brought Umbrian wine to the top. For this reason, we will dedicate the Monday of the event to extraordinary figures of Umbrian wine, paying homage to pioneers such as Arnaldo Caprai, Maria Grazia Lungarotti, Leonardo Zanchi, and Luigi Barberani, who recently passed away. Wine, like the rest of the agricultural sector, is We're going through a very difficult, very complex time. It was recovering after Covid, but now these new events that are upending geopolitics—think of raw materials and diesel—are putting a severe strain on a sector already severely weakened by climate events. However, we don't want to give up; we want to provide a strong demonstration of the institutions' presence. We're also developing new calls for tenders on the CMO wine market, about which we'll provide some details shortly before Vinitaly, because we want to be close to those who continue to invest in the world of wine, those who continue to do business, and those who continue to produce, including in the wine sector .

"This is our seventeenth edition of Vinitaly as Umbria Top, and each time this event brings together energy and projects that successfully support the sector in its collective promotion ," comments Massimo Sepiacci , president of Umbria Top Wines. " The move from the historic Pavilion 2 to Pavilion D, where we will occupy a full 1,700 square meters, is a new challenge, in a challenging period for wine worldwide. Nevertheless, " continues Sepiacci, " we believe that all the conditions are in place for a high-quality edition for our region ."

" Stili di Vite ," says Gioia Bacoccoli , coordinator of Umbria Top, " is a multi-layered story, capable of offering multiple levels of interpretation. The vine represents, first and foremost, daily labor, agricultural expertise, and the continuity of the winemaking tradition. At the same time, the theme recalls the Umbrian lifestyle, characterized by balance, care, sobriety, and authenticity—values that become a model to be shared and promoted. This dimension is accompanied by a human and narrative one: the "lives" also include those of the producers, entrepreneurs, and figures who have contributed to building the prestige of Umbrian wine, but also of the Umbrians who have left their mark on the world over time, from spirituality to art, from agriculture to culture ."

This narrative features symbolic figures that strengthen the connection between territory, culture, and vision. The winemaking tradition finds a significant reference in Zeffirino Faina , a key figure in the qualitative renewal of Umbrian wine, decisively contributing to the growth of the reputation of Orvieto and the entire region. Alongside him, the artistic dimension is represented by Pietro Vannucci, known as Perugino , whose harmonious and luminous painting becomes a visual metaphor for the balance that also characterizes the Umbrian landscape and culture.

The project is further enriched by a powerful symbolic framework, recalling the region's profound spirituality. The rose of Saint Rita becomes an emblem of hope and resilience, capable of demonstrating how beauty can arise from hardship, while the lily of Saint Clare expresses purity, simplicity, and trust—values that also resonate with the production philosophy of Umbrian wineries. These symbols are joined by the figure of Saint Benedict of Nursia , with his vision of balance between work and spirituality, and especially that of Saint Francis of Assisi, whose death marks the eighth centenary. His message of harmony between man and nature, expressed in the Canticle of the Creatures, becomes the interpretive key to the entire project, restoring wine to its most authentic value: that of an expression of nature and a respectful relationship with it.

The presence of 45 companies and the rich program of events reinforce this shared vision, in which wine becomes a common language and a tool for connecting with operators, buyers, and the international public.

Co-exhibitors from the Umbria area in the 2026 edition are: Agricola Mevante, Azienda Agricola Meazzi, Benedetti & Grigi, Blasi Cantina, Bocale, Cantina Baldassarri, Cantina Custodi, Cantina Semonte, Cantina Vetunna, Cantine Battisti, Ethical Cellars with Ruffo della Scaletta, Tenuta dei Mori, Santoiolo and Collespino Tenimenti, Castello di Corbara, Chiorri, Colle Uncinano, Montefalco Wine Protection Consortium, Torgiano Wine Protection Consortium, Trasimeno Wine Protection Consortium, Di Filippo, Dionigi, Duca della Corgna – Cantina del Trasimeno, Fattoria Le Poggette, Feudi Spada, Fongoli, Guerrini, La Madeleine, La Veneranda, Le Cimate, Moretti Omero, Morettini, Perticaia, Pucciarella, Rocca dei Fabbri, Roccafiore, Scacciadiavoli, Tenuta Bellafonte, Tenuta Casale Milli, Tenuta Il Botto, Tenuta Casale Milli, Terre Margaritelli, Terra Sapori Umbri, Todini, Tudernum, Valdangius; Assoprol, Movimento Turismo Vino Umbria, and the Coordination of Umbrian Wine and Olive Oil Roads will also be present.

Throughout the event, tastings, meetings, and opportunities for discussion with professionals, buyers, and enthusiasts are scheduled. Numerous tastings and in-depth discussions are offered, creating a calendar of events designed to showcase the production, stories, projects, and faces of Umbrian wine.

The new pavilion will also offer a lounge area reserved for content creators and influencers visiting the Fair. In Umbria, they will find a sort of "social media press room" coordinated by wine communicator Luca dalla Regina.

The stand will feature two functional areas—the Tasting Area, for tastings and technical sessions, and the Events Area, for institutional meetings—with a continuous program of wine and food experiences that will accompany visitors and operators throughout all four days of the fair.

The Umbria area at Vinitaly is made possible in this upcoming edition thanks to Umbria Top Wines' partners, such as Umbraflor, which will provide green furnishings for the entire area, Enoidee, and Alessandrelli Kitchen and Living.