Vinòforum 2026: a debut that lights up Rome

Until Sunday, September 13th at Piazza di Siena, Rome

Vinòforum 2026 got off to a flying start, welcomed from the very first evening with a large turnout and an enthusiasm that permeated every area of the event. From tasting tables to guided tastings, from seated dinners to temporary restaurants, all formats were characterized by a particularly positive mood, confirming the event's central role in the national food and wine scene. Officially opening this new edition were Francesco Lollobrigida , Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry ; Giancarlo Righini , Councilor for Budget, Economic Planning, Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Hunting and Fishing, Parks and Forests of the Lazio Region ; Gianluca Gallo, Councilor for Agriculture, Agri-food Resources and Forestry of the Calabria Region ; and Sabrina Alfonsi, Councilor for Agriculture, Environment and Waste Management of Rome Capital. and Massimiliano Raffa, President of ARSIAL - Regional Agency for Agricultural Development and Innovation of Lazio  

" I wanted to thank all the institutions present ," said Emiliano De Venuti, CEO of Vinòforum, " each one represents a fundamental part of the journey that allows Vinòforum to continue showcasing the best of Italian wine and agri-food. This 23rd edition is the result of a collaborative effort that is yielding significant results in translating our country's excellence into communications and content."

"Inside a bottle of wine is Italy," concluded Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, " the story of the land, the environment, and the care that, through human labor and dedication in the vineyard, shapes our land, making it so fascinating. Initiatives like this allow us to tell the story of this product. Promoting wine creates wealth and jobs, but also protects our history and our identity."

" Vinòforum is an event we care deeply about because, year after year, it continues to represent a great opportunity for incoming visitors ," emphasized Councilor Giancarlo Righini . " As the Lazio Region, we travel throughout Europe and the world, but here at Vinòforum, the collaboration between institutions is yielding ever-greater results with each edition. We're pleased to highlight our privileged relationships with the world of Geographical Indications, the true driving force behind what many now call the PDO Economy."

" Being here in the capital with Vinòforum is a source of great pride ," added Councilor Gianluca Gallo. " Rome represents a strategic market for Calabria, so we continue to invest in expanding our presence, enhancing our winemaking heritage and the quality of our production both in Rome and nationally with Vinitaly, and locally, as was the case with Vinitaly in the city in Sibari. I thank the Councilor and the ministers for their work in supporting an agricultural sector that has led to its recognition as a world heritage site, a great protection for our history and our supply chains."

"Rome is delighted to once again host the most important food and wine event for central and southern Italy ," explained Councilor Sabrina Alfonsi. " Vinòforum highlights the millennia-old bond between the capital and viticulture, showcasing local businesses like Roma DOC and several regional venues that unite to create a powerful dialogue between Roman wine and cuisine. We are proud to witness the event's growth beyond regional borders, becoming a key event for the entire peninsula."

"With 80,000 visitors last year ," explained ARSIAL President Massimiliano Raffa, " Vinòforum continues to represent a meeting place and a key business model for our companies. We are present with 21 producers, including wine and agri-food companies, as well as numerous wineries from Lazio. This year, we have transformed the ARSIAL space into an agora, surrounded by the producers and landscapes of our region, continuing the blind tasting format, which continues to provide great satisfaction: when the competition is in the glass, the Lazio region stands out and amazes."

For the 2026 edition, Vinòforum will expand its collaboration with Veronafiere with the shared goal of giving the Italian wine sector a stronger and more cohesive voice, building a structured partnership capable of addressing current challenges and guiding the sector into a new phase of development, reaffirming the value, quality, and identity of Italian wine production.

" As Veronafiere, we are often described through the strength of our numbers: the tens of thousands of international buyers, the square meters of exhibition space, the over 670,000 visitors each year," explains Gianni Bruno, Director General of Veronafiere. " But a trade fair thrives, first and foremost, on relationships, expertise, and people. With the House of Veronafiere format at Vinòforum, we wanted to create a meeting and discussion space capable of presenting our Group in all its glory: a lounge where our brands interact with operators and buyers, showcasing the foundation of our event factory model: Veronafiere's human capital and its ability to connect the most representative supply chains of Made in Italy. "

Meanwhile, the 2026 edition of Vinòforum continues: Rome: Roots and Future. Over 40 recipes to try in the Temporary Restaurants.

Tuesday the 8th is the turn of the trio Bhuiya Delwar Hossain of Porto Osteria di Mare , Andrea Lattanzi of Taverna Flavia and Rocio Del Carmen Barreto Panta di Sapore Perù in Pigneto. While on Wednesday the 9th the spotlight will be on Alex Saros of Avus Ristorante , Elvio Ferrelli and Luana Lesce of Nuan Cucina di Mare and Giacomo Meschini and Matteo Forcella of Osteria della Parola .

Guided tastings in collaboration with the Italian Sommelier Association of Lazio

On Tuesday, September 8th, the Wine Theatre will host the Chianti Classico Riserva Carpineto Vertical Tasting at 8:00 PM, and the Champagne: Terroir and Styles tasting at 9:00 PM, led by Daniele Balan, accompanied by finely aged Parmigiano Reggiano.

The Night Dinner – the stage of Italian cuisine

The starred dinners created in collaboration with Molisana continue: on Tuesday, September 8th , Rocco De Santis of the Flora Restaurant at the Grand Hotel Flora will take the stage, while on Wednesday, September 9th it will be the turn of chef Sara Scarsella of the Sintesi restaurant.

Signature Pizzas: Dinners with master pizza makers

For Signature Pizza evenings, created in collaboration with Molino Caputo. Tuesday the 8th features Carlo Sammarco of Carlo Sammarco Pizzeria 2.0, Aversa. Wednesday the 9th features Ciro Tutino of Bro. Napoli. All creations will be paired with Erdinger German beer imported by Perrella , one of Italy's leading selectors and distributors.

Casa Barolo: A Journey to the Heart of the Langhe

Great tastings can also be enjoyed at Casa Barolo, the space organized by Strada del Barolo and Grandi Vini di Langa and dedicated to one of the country's most iconic terroirs. Alongside the tasting tables, each evening the space offers various sommelier-led events to experience and learn about the region's diverse production expressions. Each evening concludes with Flash Tastings, offering a glass of fine wine while exploring its origins, identity, and nuances.

Free tastings for experts and enthusiasts

The calendar of free tastings on extra virgin olive oil organized by EvooSchool , as well as by the Spanish Tourist Board and the Friends of the Tuscan Club , continues. The calendar of masterclasses promoted by the Region and Arsial also begins, featuring blind tastings dedicated to the qualitative improvement of regional winemaking. Tuesday, September 8th features " Lazio's great white wines challenge global excellence: Pascal Jolivet's Pouilly-fumé AOC," while Wednesday, September 9th features "Lazio's great red wines challenge global excellence: Tenuta San Leonardo."

The calendar of events promoted by the Italian Sommelier Foundation, dedicated to those who want to experience and understand wine, continues.

Last but not least

To round out the culinary offerings, for the first time, Vinòforum is dedicating a space to coffee, desserts, and dessert wine pairings—three worlds worthy of being explored together. Each evening, four pastry chefs and master gelato makers— La Cannoleria Siciliana, Gelateria Cremilla, BAP, and Gima Caffè —will rotate artisanal pastry and coffee offerings, while six Roman wine bars—Enoteca Vite, Enzoteca, Punto Enoteca, Soul Rebel, Enoteca Seidivino, and Doppiaenne— will curate the pairings with a dessert wine list specially designed for the occasion.