Good morning,
Today's wine press review highlights a sector undergoing transformation: increasingly earlier harvests, growing inventories, technological innovation, territorial development, and new investment opportunities.
Among the highlights are the Prosecco night harvest, over 62 million hectoliters of wine and must stored in Italian cellars, the centenary of the Bardolino Consortium, and new strategies for developing and promoting winemaking businesses.
1. Italian wineries
Prosecco, nighttime harvest to combat extreme heat. In the Conegliano Valdobbiadene area, high temperatures are altering harvest times and methods. Vigna di Sarah, in Vittorio Veneto, harvests its 20 hectares between 3:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. to preserve the aromas and freshness of the Glera. In 2026, the harvest began as early as August 17-18. CREA Conegliano and the University of Bolzano are studying the qualitative benefits of this practice.
Vistorta, from the Agnelli family to Friulian wine. Brandino Brandolini d'Adda, after his experience at Château Greysac in Bordeaux, has brought an international winemaking vision to Vistorta, in Friuli. The company focuses on quality and more selective production, enhancing the region and the company's identity.
Costaripa and Valtènesi rosé. In Moniga del Garda, Mattia Vezzola continues to promote the rosé tradition begun in 1896 by Pompeo Gherardo Molmenti. After forty years at the helm of Bellavista, Vezzola confirms Valtènesi's vocation for elegant, territorial, and contemporary rosés.
Farewell to Silvio Carta, protagonist of Vernaccia di Oristano. Silvio Carta, who passed away on October 8th, dedicated over seventy years to promoting Vernaccia di Oristano. Founder of the eponymous winery in the 1950s, he helped preserve one of Sardinia's most iconic wines.
Marchesi Antinori: 30,000 bottles stolen in Cortona. An organized group is believed to have stolen approximately 30,000 bottles, including prestigious labels such as Solaia and Tignanello, from a Marchesi Antinori facility in the province of Arezzo. The investigation is being coordinated by the Arezzo Prosecutor's Office. The case raises concerns about the security of high-value wine warehouses.
Tenuta Montelio, history and Metodo Classico in the Oltrepò Pavese. Located in Codevilla, Tenuta Montelio preserves monastic origins dating back to the 13th century. The historic cellars and ancient underground ice house tell the story of a winemaking heritage that today is part of the revival of the area and the Metodo Classico Classese.
Mazzarosa Devincenzi, where wine meets hospitality. Founded in 1863 in Roseto degli Abruzzi, the winery is now in its sixth generation. Alongside local wines, including Montepulciano, Trebbiano, Pecorino, and Cerasuolo, it also offers wedding and event hospitality, with outdoor spaces for up to 300 guests.
Manferrari restarts after the Brazzano landslide. After the damage rendered the cellar unusable, the company temporarily moved winemaking to Visinale del Judrio. This was a necessary solution to save the harvest, but it also affected the ability to use the DOC designation for the affected production.
Donatella Cinelli Colombini was honored at the 2026 Oscars del Vino. The Tuscan entrepreneur received the "A Life for Wine" award at the DoctorWine Awards. The first woman to receive the title, she is celebrated for her contributions to wine tourism, female entrepreneurship, and the promotion of Italian wine.
Wine tourism in the Castelli Romani. Alberico's Garden, on the Principe Alberico Estate, and La Camera da Pranzo at the Cantine Santa Benedetta offer gastronomic experiences amidst vineyards, olive groves, and local produce. Two examples of the integration of winemaking, dining, and rural tourism.
2. Italian wine and Italian oenology
Italian stocks: over 62 million hectoliters of wine and must. According to the ICQRF's Cantina Italia, as of September 30, 2026, the following were held:
56.8% of the wine in stock is DOP and 25.3% IGP. Among the largest quantities are Prosecco DOC with 3.3 million hectoliters, Toscana IGT with 1.4 million, and Puglia IGT with 1.3 million. The increase in availability raises questions about pricing, marketing, and the market's absorption capacity.
Collio, new irrigation basins to support viticulture. Discussions between Coldiretti and regional councilor Diego Bernardis highlighted the need to strengthen water resources in the Collio and Gorizia areas. Also at the forefront are maintenance of the canals in Fossalon and Boscat, wine labeling, and the protection of Italian products.
Harvest and agricultural work: beware of exploitation. A report from the Prosecco hills exposes situations where foreign workers are deceived by intermediaries through false promises of employment and requests for money to obtain visas and permits. The topic highlights the importance of legality and transparency in the agricultural supply chain.
Verdicchio "Scommessa", a tribute to Luigi Veronelli. Stefano Antonucci's Santa Barbara winery offers a Verdicchio that emphasizes authenticity, character, and territorial identity. The wine is the protagonist of a dinner-study in Casteldimezzo dedicated to the thought of Luigi Veronelli, on the centenary of his birth.
Non-alcoholic cocktails: prices and margins to consider. The non-alcoholic market opens up new opportunities for bars and restaurants, but a €10 non-alcoholic cocktail doesn't automatically guarantee high margins. Ingredients, preparation, staffing, and substituted drinks impact profitability. At Nottingham Forest in Milan, according to owner Dario Comini, non-alcoholic drinks account for 50% of sales.
Technology and agriculture, the innovations of EIMA 2026. In preparation for the Bologna fair from November 10-14, FederUnacoma has awarded 19 Technical Innovations and 35 Technical Developments. The innovations concern production efficiency, work quality, and new solutions for agriculture, with potentially interesting applications also for viticulture.
3. International
France and Spain, 2026 harvests modest. Reported estimates indicate production of around 34-35 million hectoliters for France, with similar figures for Spain. This situation, combined with the high Italian stocks, requires careful attention to the balance between production, consumption, and international trade.
Switzerland, technology, and fine wines in the AVU model. Fabio Cattaneo has developed a company in Lugano specializing in the international trade of luxury wines, targeting collectors and high-net-worth clients. Founded in 2016, AVU employs 85 people, including approximately 30 programmers. The model combines a selection of prestigious labels, confidential relationships, and technology.
"Italianity," Italian wine told through its people. The book "Italianity: The Culture of Italian Wine," written by Master of Wine Andrea Lonardi and journalist Jessica Dupuy, offers a journey through the culture of Italian wine. Its focus isn't on rankings or technical evaluations, but on the producers, territories, traditions, and people who represent Italy's winemaking identity around the world.
4. Wine events
Events from October 10th to 14th and upcoming events
Bardolino, centenary of the Wine Consortium. On October 10th and 11th, in the Villa Carrara Bottagisio park, the Bardolino Pop Garden celebrates one hundred years of history with tastings, street food, music, and light installations by artist Marco Lodola.
Calici in Villa in Zero Branco. On October 10th and 11th, Villa Guidini hosts the sixth edition of the event, featuring 30 wineries and over 150 labels. The program includes tastings, food, entertainment, and an evening dedicated to Metodo Martinotti and Metodo Classico sparkling wines.
Asolo for six-legged friends: a walk and tasting. An experiential tourism initiative offers a dog walk through the historic center and the Rocca di Asolo, followed by a food and wine tour at the Asolo Manor Winery. Organized by ScodinzolHouse, reservations required.
Casteldimezzo, a dinner-study dedicated to Veronelli. At the Taverna del Pescatore, an evening of tastings and insights into Stefano Antonucci's Verdicchio "Scommessa," hosted by Otello Renzi.
EIMA International 2026 in Bologna. From November 10th to 14th, the international agricultural mechanization fair will showcase award-winning new technologies for agriculture and gardening.
5. Investments, acquisitions and winemaking opportunities
The opportunities presented by Tenute Agricole 24 and QUIDQUID – FORBUS
Oltrepò Pavese, 18-hectare wine estate. Hillside property with approximately 17 hectares of vineyards or potential vineyards, an over 800 square meter winery, Pinot Noir, Barbera, and Croatina vineyards, and buildings with wine tourism potential. Interesting for a redevelopment and production development project.
Broni, a winery with established production. Six hectares of vineyards, including approximately two hectares of new Pinot Noir for sparkling wine production, a 300-square-meter cellar, an apartment, and a sales outlet. Current annual production is approximately 40,000 bottles. An opportunity to enter the Oltrepò Pavese region with an operational presence.
Trentino, a historic estate in Vallagarina. Family-owned since 1912, it boasts 14 hectares of land, 13.3 hectares of vineyards, a cellar of approximately 980 square meters, and a residence of 620 square meters. Potential capacity of 200,000 bottles, expandable through additional supplies. Prospects for Trentodoc, hospitality, and commercial development.
Etna DOC, a winery operating on the northern slopes. Located in Castiglione di Sicilia, the property comprises approximately 11 hectares of vineyards, olive groves, a winery, equipment, a brand, and inventory. Annual production is approximately 14,000 bottles, with an estimated capacity of 20,000. Possible winemaking and hospitality developments are subject to authorization requirements.
Investing in wine without immediately purchasing an entire winery. Shareholdings, joint ventures, lease-to-own, rent-to-buy, and long-term management offer alternative ways to enter the sector. The integration of production, marketing, and wine tourism can contribute to value creation.
6. FORBUS – Develop value before selling
How much could a winery be worth if all its potential were developed before being sold?
This is one of the central questions of the FORBUS model, developed by QUIDQUID for wineries, wineries, mineral water sources and beverage companies.
The service integrates financial, production, commercial, oenological, agronomic, and marketing expertise to address critical business issues with a unified vision.
FORBUS intervenes in management, industrial and commercial development, valorization, acquisitions and disposals, even when the owner does not intend to sell.
The goal is to improve organization, results, and positioning, creating the conditions for greater company growth.
Creating value before transferring it.
Further information: FORBUS.IT | TENUTEAGRICOLE24.IT
The point of WINEIDEA
The October 10th review highlights three crucial issues for the future of Italian wine: climate adaptation, inventory management, and the need to improve companies' marketing capabilities.
Product quality and the value of the vineyards remain crucial, but they're no longer sufficient on their own. Organization, markets, targeted investments, and the ability to leverage every aspect of the business are essential.
For winery owners, industrial groups, and investors, the challenge is not just identifying companies to buy or sell, but recognizing their untapped value and creating the conditions to develop it.
WINE IDEA – FORBUS
Experience, strategic vision, and operational expertise to support entrepreneurs and investors in making the decisions that matter.
Operations, not just announcements.
This version is more comprehensive and suitable for daily publication on vinievino.it and Tenute Agricole 24: it maintains a fluid read, provides in-depth coverage of each news item, and distinguishes real estate and winemaking opportunities from market analyses and FORBUS services.
COMMENTS
TO POST A COMMENT YOU MUST BE REGISTERED
No comments on Wine press review for Saturday, October 10, 2026! have been written yet. Be the first to comment onWine press review for Saturday, October 10, 2026!