Wine press review for Sunday, October 18, 2026!

Good morning and happy Sunday!

WINEIDEA presents the main wine news for Sunday, October 18, 2026, with updates on Italian wineries, the wine market, enology, investments, exports, food and wine tourism, and industry events.

1. Italian wineries: companies, territories, and new initiatives

Valdobbiadene – The historic Cella Vinaria of the Prosecco Confraternity. In San Pietro di Barbozza, the Brunoro family's winery, now managed by Cantine Varaschin, preserves a symbolic place for Prosecco. The 1931 cave, the 1966 frescoes, and the Confraternity founded in 1946 recount the winemakers' commitment to saving the vineyards from post-war abandonment.

Salento – Masseria Borgo dei Trulli celebrates wine and hospitality. In Maruggio, on the Ionian coast, Primitivo and Negroamaro are the focus of a project that unites vineyards, cuisine, local ceramics, and rural tourism, showcasing the diverse terrain and the influence of the sea.

Trentino – Ferrari Perlé Zero Cuvée 2018 and the Trentodoc tradition. Founded in 1902 by Giulio Ferrari and led by the Lunelli family since 1952, Ferrari produces approximately 5 million bottles annually and is present in over 50 countries. The Perlé Zero Cuvée 2018 represents one of the expressions of its Metodo Classico production.

Conegliano – Col Sandago promotes Merlot, Marzemino, and Wildbacher. The Zanetti family estate encompasses approximately 40 hectares, 21 of which are vineyards. Along with Prosecco Superiore DOCG, it focuses on the reds of the Treviso area, with Red Merlot Marzemino IGT and 3.5 hectares of Wildbacher, a rare varietal of Styrian origin.

Tuscany – Frescobaldi celebrates the legacy of Leonia degli Albizzi. At Castello Pomino, the Leonia project, launched in 2011, highlights the estate's Metodo Classico and innovative tradition. The property encompasses approximately 2,300 hectares, 108 of which are vineyards, spread across 45 plots.

Maremma – The I Vini di Maremma winery is experimenting with native yeasts. Two strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, isolated from Vermentino grapes by the CRISBA center with the involvement of students from the Istituto Leopoldo II di Lorena, have been positively evaluated by CREA in Asti for their fermentation characteristics.

Abruzzo – The Trabocco project focuses on native sparkling wines. Launched in 2022 as part of the Abruzzo DOC, the collective brand promotes Metodo Martinotti sparkling wines made with regional grape varieties, including Passerina, Pecorino, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo, Montonico, Cococciola, and Montepulciano, and bottled in Abruzzo.

Lucca – Fattoria Sardi celebrates 100 years of winemaking. The Colline Lucchesi estate, managed by Matteo Giustiniani and Mina Samouti, boasts 45 hectares, 18 of which are vineyards, and produces approximately 160,000 bottles annually. The project focuses on organic and biodynamic agriculture, rosé wines, catering, and hospitality.

Scerni – Workplace tragedy at the Cantina Sociale San Panfilo. Seven people are under investigation in the investigation into the death of 21-year-old Andrea Di Risio, who was struck by a propeller while cleaning a silo. The plant was seized, and the cooperative suspended production as a sign of mourning. The investigation is ongoing, and responsibilities remain unclear.

2. Italian wine and oenology: economics, markets, and strategies

Italian wine generates €40.7 billion in added value. TEHA Group's Visione Vino 2026 Strategic Report estimates that the extended wine supply chain contributes over 2% to the national GDP. However, the sector faces weak consumption, rising costs, and inventories estimated at 6.2 billion bottles.

Generational Change – Revenues increased by 8.8% and investments exceeded 18%. According to TEHA, family businesses that have completed generational changeovers achieved similar results compared to the companies considered in the study. By 2025, 30.4% of businesses had completed generational changeovers, while 39.2% were in the process of doing so. Sixty-five percent of winemaking assets are family-owned, a figure that rises to 81.5% when cooperatives are included. The average age of wine entrepreneurs is 45.

Oltrepò Pavese – Exports have grown nearly 60% in four years. Wine exports from the province of Pavia have increased from €25.2 million in 2021 to €40.2 million in 2025. The area boasts over 11,500 hectares of vineyards, representing 48% of Lombardy's production, and approximately 3,000 hectares of Pinot Noir. Sparkling wine production is expected to reach approximately 19,000 hectoliters in 2025.

Oltrepò Pavese – Classese, wine tourism and recognition. The Voghera Visione Vino Forum highlighted the opportunities for promoting the area through Classese, the new identity of Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG, and the eleven wines awarded the 2027 Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri. The challenge is to transform growing exports and tourism potential into greater commercial recognition.

Tuscany – Great wines are increasingly focusing on the identity of their territories. Chianti Classico, Montepulciano, Rufina, and Montalcino are increasingly showcasing the differences between vineyards, altitudes, and production areas. The Additional Geographical Units of Chianti Classico, the Pievi of Montepulciano, and the Terraelectae project of Rufina demonstrate a growing focus on origin rather than stylistic power alone.

United States – Italian exports recovered in July, but caution remains. According to ICE President Matteo Zoppas, Italian wine exports to the US grew by nearly 10% in value in July 2026, after a difficult start to the year. This figure is not yet sufficient to confirm a structural recovery: commercial diversification and new distribution channels are needed.

Veneto – New incentives for young farmers. The Region has opened calls for proposals for the 2023-2027 Youth CSR Package. A €40,000 initial establishment grant is available for young people between the ages of 18 and 40, to be combined with at least one business investment, including for modernization, sustainability, agritourism, and diversification.

Donne del Vino – A national network of approximately 1,260 professionals. Founded in 1988 and chaired since 2023 by Daniela Mastroberardino, the association brings together producers and professionals committed to wine culture, hospitality, and the promotion of local areas.

FORBUS – A modern sharecropping system to enhance agricultural holdings. The project proposes new management options for struggling agricultural and winemaking properties, connecting owners, entrepreneurs, families, cooperatives, and investors. The goal is to recover land and production capacity, boost profitability, and offer alternatives to abandonment or immediate sale, including the possibility of subsequent acquisitions.

MY FRASCA – A national direct sales network project is born. Inspired by the ancient rural tradition of the frasca, the initiative aims to connect Italian wineries, farms, oil mills, and producers through tastings, direct sales, rural hospitality, and food and wine tourism, creating new revenue opportunities and consumer engagement.

3. International: denominations, Champagne and markets

San Marino – Forty years of the Mark of Identification of Origin. Domagnano celebrates the system introduced in 1986 to guarantee the provenance and quality of San Marino wines. Secretary of State Matteo Ciacci highlights three priorities: protecting vineyards, promoting local wine in restaurants, and engaging young people.

Champagne – Bon Wei presents Yì Chen Lòng 2018. Milanese restaurant Bon Wei, in collaboration with Le Zhang and artist Teo KayKay, has created a customized, limited-edition champagne of 300 bottles, available exclusively at the restaurant. An example of collaboration between catering, wine, and creativity.

International Markets – Diversification remains a priority. Fluctuations in exports to the United States confirm the need for Italian wineries to strengthen distribution, expand their customer base, and reduce their dependence on traditional channels.

4. Wine events, guides and appointments

Milan – Slow Wine 2027 has been presented. The seventeenth edition of the Slow Food Editore guide includes 2,059 wineries, 7,809 wines reviewed, 247 Chiocciole (Snails), and 168 new entries, compared to 132 departures. The work involved 253 contributors. 231 Best Buys and 250 Slow Drinking Venues were also featured. The presentation included a tasting with 450 wineries and over 1,000 wines.

Slow Wine 2027 – Seven special awards. The guide highlights producers and projects focused on sustainability, innovation, social responsibility, and the preservation of viticulture, with a particular focus on younger generations and the growth of Southern Italy and Sicily.

Voghera – The first Visione Vino Forum has concluded. The Teatro Valentino Garavani hosted the conclusion of the program promoted by TEHA Group with institutions and industry professionals. The discussion focused on competitiveness, investments, generational change, exports, and the promotion of the Oltrepò Pavese region.

Faenza – On October 22nd, a tasting of Mutiliana's first ten vintages will take place. From 8:30 pm to 11:00 pm, at Kwak on Viale Ceramiche 35, a vertical tasting of Giorgio Melandri's wines will explore the differences between the Acerreta, Ibola, and Tramazzo valleys. Hosted by Iacopo Casadio and Cristiano Morini, the producer will also participate.

Andria – Sunday, October 18th, Grape and Wine Festival in Borgo Montegrosso. Starting 11:30 a.m., a day of cooking demonstrations, tastings, folk music, children's workshops, crafts, and traditional baked goods. A discussion on the challenges facing the local agricultural sector is also planned.

Imola – The Baccanale is an opportunity to showcase Romagna wines. The food festival rekindles the debate on the need to give greater visibility to local wines, particularly Albana and Imola's white wines, through a continued presence in restaurants and wine shops.

The industry picture: signals to follow

Today's news highlights four key themes for the future of Italian wine: the economic importance of the supply chain, the need for generational change, the valorization of territorial identities, and the search for new business models.

The growth of the Oltrepò Pavese region demonstrates the opportunities offered by exports, while experiences in wine tourism, direct sales, and innovative property management point to potential development paths for businesses and regions.

The key will be to transform Italy's winemaking heritage into more solid, competitive businesses capable of generating value over time.

The information and data reported are an editorial summary of the news provided for the review of October 18, 2026.

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