Italian wineries · Italian wine and oenology · International markets · Wine events
Good morning, QUIDQUID presents the main news from the Italian and international wine sector for Friday, October 16, 2026.
In focus: the proposed introduction of PIWI grape varieties in DOC and DOCG wines, the increase in inventories in Italian wineries, the decline in grape prices, the results of the 2026 harvest, and generational turnover in wineries. From abroad, news is arriving on the strategies of major wine groups and emerging consumer trends.
1. Italian wineries: companies, investments and territory
Settecani Winery: turnover of 7.3 million euros (8%)
The Modena-based cooperative closed the 2025-2026 fiscal year with revenues up 8%. Bottled wine production increased by 13.6%, reaching 1.9 million bottles, while bulk wine production decreased by 5.6%. Exports grew by 14.6%, exceeding 465,000 bottles. The cooperative brings together 130 winemakers and focuses on higher value-added products.
Paololeo relaunches the historic Candido winery in Salento.
The Leo family reopens the historic Candido winery in San Donaci, founded in 1929 and a key player in the promotion of Negroamaro. Paololeo now boasts 70 hectares of vineyards, two wineries, and a 2025 turnover of €25 million. This move strengthens the link between production tradition and entrepreneurial development in Puglia.
Tenuta Santa Maria: Tradition and Quality in Valpolicella
In Arbizzano di Negrar, Tenuta Santa Maria showcases the history of Veronese winemaking through Amarone, Valpolicella Classico, and Classico Superiore. At the heart of this is Corvina's ability to express local wines even without the use of appassimento (drying).
Piedmont: Isolabella della Croce combines wine, hospitality, and art.
In Loazzolo, the Isolabella della Croce wine resort offers an experience among historic Moscato vineyards, hospitality, and culture. The contemporary exhibition "This Must Be The Place" reinforces a wine tourism model that integrates wine production and local development.
Treviso: Young-run farms on the rise
By 2025, the number of farms with owners under 35 in the Treviso area will reach 854. Young entrepreneurs are paying greater attention to costs, margins, and international markets. This turnover is also supported by the 2023-2027 Rural Development Youth Package.
Generational turnover: 8.8% higher revenues in renewed companies
According to The European House – Ambrosetti's Visione Vino 2026 report, 30.4% of family-run wineries have completed generational transition, and 39.2% are in the process of transitioning. Businesses involving younger generations report 8.8% higher revenues than average and a greater propensity to invest. The average age of wine entrepreneurs is 45, compared to 60 in general agriculture.
Piedmont: over 3 million hectoliters of wine in storage
Confagricoltura Piemonte draws attention to high inventories and the need to rebalance production and demand. In July, regional PDO wines in stock reached nearly 3 million hectoliters. Piedmontese exports, however, are expected to grow 2.4% in the first half of 2026, reaching €566 million.
Scerni: Fatal accident at the San Panfilo winery
A young worker lost his life while working with machinery at the cooperative winery in Scerni, in the province of Chieti. An investigation into the circumstances is underway. The CGIL (Italian General Confederation of Labour), the UDU (Union of Labour) and local authorities are calling for greater prevention and workplace safety. Reports indicate conflicting ages—21 and 23—which are yet to be verified.
2. Italian wine and oenology: market, production, and innovation
Piwi Grape Varieties: A Bipartisan Proposal to Allow Them in DOC and DOCG Wines
Gian Marco Centinaio and Antonella Forattini are promoting a parliamentary initiative to overturn the national ban on the use of Piwi-resistant grape varieties in wines with designations of origin. The goal is to promote sustainability and climate adaptation. The proposal concerns Article 33 of Law 238/2016: it has not yet been approved as a legislative amendment.
Italian stocks: over 62 million hectoliters of wine, must, and fermentation products
According to the ICQRF's Cantina Italia, as of September 30, 2026, there were 41 million hectoliters of wine (14.2% compared to 2025), 12.8 million hectoliters of must, and 8.9 million hectoliters of new wine still in fermentation. The total reached approximately 62.7 million hectoliters, increasing pressure on warehouses, liquidity, and marketing.
Grape prices falling in many denominations
Initial Chamber of Commerce data analyzed by BMTI show declining prices in several Italian regions. High inventories and limited demand are weighing on the situation. Preliminary European estimates indicate national production in 2026 will be just over 41 million hectoliters, a decrease of 7.1%.
2026 Harvest: High Quality in Emilian Cooperatives
Confcooperative Terre d'Emilia reports a positive harvest in terms of grape quality and sugar content. The 13 cooperatives in Modena and Reggio Emilia harvested 2.612 million quintals, 10.9% less than expected in 2025. Lambruscos experienced a slight decline, while Ancellotta grew, and white grapes increased by 16.9%.
Sicily International Wine Region of the Year 2026
Wine Enthusiast has recognized Sicily as International Wine Region of the Year 2026 at the Wine Star Awards. The awards recognize quality, innovation, territorial identity, and sustainability, with particular attention to organic viticulture and the SOStain Sicilia program.
Berici Hills: The pergola becomes a response to climate change
The DOC regulations allow the pergola training system for all varieties in new and replanted hillside vineyards. This change offers winemakers an additional solution for protecting grapes from high temperatures, without requiring conversions to existing vineyards.
TDN in white wines: watch out for hydrocarbon notes
In winemaking, TDN, the compound responsible for petroleum-based aromas, is attracting growing attention. Traditionally present in mature Rieslings, it can also be found in Verdicchio, Vermentino, Timorasso, Fiano, and other Italian white wines. At high concentrations, it risks obscuring the grape variety's aromatic identity.
Slow Wine: 7,809 wines reviewed and 247 Snails
The new Slow Wine guide examines approximately 10,000 labels and awards 247 Snails to the wineries that best represent Slow Food values. There are 168 new entries and 132 departures. The qualitative growth of southern wines, especially Sicilian and Etna wines, stands out in a market marked by weak consumption.
Piedmont: Alta Langa and new territories gain attention
Alongside Barolo and Barbaresco, the Alta Langa and other Piedmontese appellations are strengthening their quality positioning. Tastings highlight a greater pursuit of elegance, territorial precision, and drinkability, even in the great Nebbiolo-based wines.
Acquolina Roma: pairings dedicated to native grape varieties
The two-Michelin-starred Acquolina restaurant develops new pairings of Mediterranean cuisine and wines from native grape varieties. The project highlights biodiversity, winemaking identity, and the connection between gastronomy and local territory.
Jessica Rocchi awarded Best Sommelier 2027
Jessica Rocchi, sommelier at the Andrea Aprea restaurant in Milan, received the international recognition from Les Grandes Tables du Monde during the 2026 conference in Mallorca. Her expertise, sensitivity in pairing, and quality service were recognized.
The wine territory as a collective heritage
Scholar and popularizer Armando Castagno emphasizes the importance of preserving the memory of appellations and the work of winemaking communities. Innovation and experimentation must coexist with the protection of the territory's historical identity.
3. International: businesses, strategies and trends
Rafael Nadal enters the wine world with the El Tenista label.
The former Spanish champion is launching a wine project with Viñas Familia Gil, a Jumilla-based group. The first wine, planned as a limited edition, is part of the project to promote old vineyards in the Murcia region.
Treasury Wine Estates Reduces Brand Portfolio
The Australian group is selling Rosemount, Ingoldby, and Secret Stone to Ag Oatley Wines. The transaction is part of a rationalization plan aimed at focusing resources on approximately 30 priority brands, compared to the current 76, with a focus on international brands such as Penfolds and Daou.
Louis Roederer: The future belongs to identity wines
Frédéric Rouzaud, president of Louis Roederer, sees recognizable, versatile, and often lighter terroir wines as one of the key prospects for the quality market. The group comprises 13 wineries and approximately 1,100 hectares of vineyards in various regions around the world.
Corsica: Patrimonio develops local wine tourism
The Patrimonio appellation, in the Saint-Florent area, encompasses approximately 40 wineries along a 60-kilometer route. The wine tourism offering highlights the Niellucciu, Sciaccarellu, and Vermentinu grape varieties, combining tastings, gastronomy, and the Mediterranean landscape.
Great Britain: Margaux and Chardonnay become proper names
An analysis by The Drinks Business of birth records in England and Wales between 1996 and 2025 identifies Margaux, Chardonnay, and Sherry among the most common wine-inspired personal names. This curious fact confirms the cultural influence of the wine world.
Falstaff: The Best Italian Weissburgunder
The Wein Guide Italien 2027 dedicates a selection to the 50 best Italian wines made from Weissburgunder, or Pinot Bianco, rated using the 100-point Falstaff system.
4. Wine events, culture and wine tourism
Valdobbiadene: 80 Years of the Confraternity
The Confraternity of Valdobbiadene, founded in 1946, is celebrating eighty years of activity with a conference and photography exhibition at Villa dei Cedri. The focus will be on the history of local viticulture and the cultural role of Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG. The date indicated in the communications received is conflicting and requires confirmation.
Treviso: Raboso is the star of Rosso Autoctono
On Sunday, October 18th, at 1:00 PM, the Santa Caterina Museum will host a masterclass dedicated to Raboso Piave, led by Stefano Quaggio and Alberto Toffanello. The AIS Veneto event also offers tastings from the Consorzio Vini Venezia wineries.
Valpolicella and Lessinia: itineraries among vineyards and mountains
A wine tourism itinerary through the Valpolicella hills, historic villages, and pastures of Lessinia highlights wineries, landscapes, and local produce. An experience that combines wine, nature, and slow tourism.
Slow Food: Highlands Campaign from October 15th to November 30th
Slow Food Italy promotes events and initiatives in inland and mountainous areas, involving producers, Earth Markets, and local communities. The program spans numerous Italian regions and promotes traditional products, landscapes, and food culture.
5. The QUIDQUID Analysis | What this news means for wine companies
The October 16 news highlights five strategic issues for wineries, wineries, industrial groups, and investors.
The FORBUS perspective: today, the value of a winery depends not only on vineyards, buildings, and production capacity. Profitability, the quality of the customer base, financial strength, market positioning, and concrete growth opportunities are increasingly important.
For many companies, this may be the time to consider mergers, the entry of new shareholders, corporate reorganization, or strategic divestiture.
WINE IDEA NEWS · OCTOBER 16, 2026
Today's wine press review is brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT .
For more information on the world of wine, wineries, and investment opportunities:
Wines and Wine · Agricultural Estates 24 · FORBUS
Thank you for your attention, and see you at the next QUIDQUID News wine press review.
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