Wine press review for Thursday, September 17, 2026!

Good morning,

Wine Idea Italian wine is undergoing a period of significant transformation: investments in cellars, quality harvests but with lower yields, new models of wine tourism, updated production regulations, international markets to develop, and growing attention to research and sustainability.

Here are the main news stories of the day, organized by topic.

ITALIAN CELLARS

Montelvini invests nearly 10 million euros in its new logistics hub.

Montelvini, a winery producing Asolo Montello DOCG, will invest nearly €10 million in the construction of a new warehouse next to its headquarters, with the goal of concentrating production in a single location.

Work is expected to begin in early 2027 and last approximately two years. After closing 2025 with a 6-7% decline and revenues of around €30 million, the group is expected to report 10% growth in the first six months of 2026.

Braida: Montebruna celebrates its 25th harvest

The 25th harvest of Montebruna , a Braida property in Rocchetta Tanaro entirely dedicated to Barbera, began on September 15th.

The estate, built over time through the reunification of numerous plots of land, today covers approximately 30 hectares and represents one of the Bologna family's historic projects.

Cusumano: Fewer Grapes in Sicily, but Very High Quality

The 2026 harvest in the Cusumano vineyards presents itself as qualitatively very positive despite drought and extreme temperatures.

According to Diego Cusumano, the yields are lower, but the grapes are healthy and ripe. The results from the higher-altitude vineyards, including those at the Ficuzza and Castelluzzo estates on Mount Etna, which benefited from the altitude, are particularly positive.

Pizzolato Winery celebrates 45 years

Cantina Pizzolato celebrates its 45th anniversary in 2026 with a day open to the public on September 26th.

Initiatives include the social project “Together for Nature”, the sustainable restyling of the Family Collection and the launch of the new Prosecco DOC Extra Brut .

Follador focuses on wine tourism in Prosecco Superiore DOCG

Since 1769, Follador Prosecco has been offering three wine tourism tours on the Col San Martino estate, available upon reservation.

The experience focuses on the direct relationship between visitor, family, vineyard and territory of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG hills, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cantina Futurista brings the grape harvest to the center of Treviso.

An original urban winery model is born in Treviso: Cantina Futurista, owned by brothers Enrico and Alberto Fagotto, integrates a cellar, restaurant, and cocktail bar into approximately 750 m2.

During September, customers can observe the harvest and fermentation processes through the glass windows. The project launches with 20 proprietary labels and a Metodo Classico line.

Cecchetto: Inclusive Harvest with AIPD

On October 3rd, the Cecchetto Giorgio Farm will host the 22nd inclusive harvest , organized with the Italian Association of People with Down Syndrome – Marca Trevigiana Section.

The initiative, which began in 2005 around Raboso del Piave, will also involve young people and families this year, with grape harvesting, pressing, workshops, and activities dedicated to collaboration and inclusion.

Awards to Italian wineries

Several international awards recognize Italian products and regions.

Tenute Vidi wins the Gold Medal at the Città del Vino International Wine Competition with its 2016 Trentodoc Pas Dosé .

Antiche Cantine wins gold with its Colline Novaresi DOC Nebbiolo “Le Origini” 2023 .

Fratelli Savigliano receives the Gold Medal with the Barolo Boiolo Riserva DOCG 2020 .

Abraxas di Pantelleria won six awards at the 2026 Mondial des Vins Extrêmes, with particular note for the 2014 Pantelleria DOC Passito Sentivento , awarded the Gran Medaglia d'Oro.

ITALIAN WINE: MARKET, HARVEST, AND STRATEGIES

Primitivo di Manduria: a quality 2026 harvest, production down 20%

The Primitivo di Manduria Consortium draws a qualitatively positive assessment of the harvest.

The grapes are healthy, intact, and have high alcohol content. Harvest began early, but production is down approximately 20% compared to 2025 .

Puglia: High stocks and grape prices under pressure

The Apulian wine sector is facing a difficult situation characterised by high inventories, falling grape prices and pressure on the profitability of agricultural companies .

The issue was addressed in the Fourth Commission of the Puglia Regional Council, where possible measures to combat overproduction and market imbalances were discussed.

"Wine Package": new measures and deadlines

Over the summer of 2026, several national measures related to the "Wine Package" were adopted.

The measures include €3 million earmarked for investments such as sensors, drones and sprayers, with applications due by November 30, 2026 .

The deadline for aligning the areas with the company's graphic file has also been extended to July 31, 2027 , and further provisions regarding authorizations and vineyard restructuring are expected.

Federdoc: Updating the regulations without distorting the DOC

Climate change reopens the debate on the production rules of Italian appellations.

Federdoc recognizes the need to evolve the regulations, but draws attention to the need to preserve the identity, characteristics, and recognizability of DOCs.

Andrea Farinetti: Open to PIWI, no staff for dealcoholized wines

During Serralunga Day 2026, Andrea Farinetti addressed some of the most discussed topics in contemporary wine.

He expressed a favorable position on the possibility of using PIWI grape varieties also in denominations, possibly through parallel specifications, while he declared that he was not personally interested in the production of dealcoholized wines.

Wine and Wellness: A Project for a New Foundation

Federico Veronesi has announced that some important private Italian wineries are working to create a Foundation dedicated to research and information on the relationship between wine and well-being .

The initiative comes at a time when the industry is questioning new communication models and the relationship between supply, demand, and changing consumer habits.

OENOLOGY, RESEARCH AND NEW MODELS

The “microbial terroir” leaves its mark on the wine

A study conducted by centers at the University of Turin analyzed 38 samples of Nebbiolo grapes from vineyards in Valtellina and Piedmont.

The study highlights how bacteria and yeasts present on grapes change during fermentation, but differences related to geographical origin do not disappear completely.

The microbiota can therefore contribute to the typicality and territorial identity of the wine even in the presence of commercial yeasts.

Sommelier between neuroscience, culture and service

ONAV is offering the second edition of the 3rd level Taster and Sommelier Course in Catania, from 24 October 2026 to 28 February 2027 , leading to the Master Sommelier diploma.

The journey integrates tasting, service techniques and pairing with neuroscience, anthropology of taste and understanding the convivial experience .

ITALIAN WINE IN THE WORLD

Brazil: Growing interest in Italian wine

From October 6th to 8th , the Merano WineFestival Brazil returns to São Paulo as part of ProWine São Paulo.

According to data reported by the organizers, the Brazilian import market is worth a total of 3.2 billion euros and Italian wines have recorded a growth of 22% over the last three years.

Ten Italian wineries from Piedmont, Tuscany, Veneto, Sicily, Lazio, and Campania will participate, with the aim of developing new business relationships in the South American market.

Top 100 Wines of Italy 2026 by James Suckling

The 2026 ranking, drawn up after tasting around 7,000 Italian wines , highlights Tuscany and Piedmont in particular.

Among the highlighted labels are Brunello di Montalcino, Barolo, Alto Adige, Sassicaia, Etna Rosso, and Barbaresco, confirming the territorial breadth of Italy's high-end offering.

Il Golosario's "Top Hundred" 2026

The selection by Paolo Massobrio and Marco Gatti offers 100 new names and 63 historic wineries , highlighting products from numerous Italian regions.

The guide highlights red, white, rosé, Metodo Classico, and dessert wines, offering a comprehensive snapshot of national production.

EVENTS, WINE TOURISM AND WINE CULTURE

Franciacorta Festival in the Cellar

The Franciacorta Festival involves around 120 wineries and offers almost 300 events spread across 19 municipalities , including tastings, visits and experiences dedicated to the area.

The program also includes “Franciacorta before the glass,” a journey dedicated to land, knowledge, harvest, and territory.

Champagne Experience 2026 in Bologna

On October 4th and 5th , BolognaFiere will host the Champagne Experience.

The event will bring together 125 Maisons and will take place in Hall 18. After the approximately 7,000 visitors registered in 2025, the 2026 edition has larger spaces for operators and enthusiasts.

The MonteNapoleone District Harvest

From October 5th to 11th, Milan will host the 17th edition of "La Vendemmia," an event that brings together wine, restaurants, and the world of luxury.

Boutiques, hotels, and restaurants will offer tastings, meetings, cocktails, and special menus.

Alba Wine Festival

On September 20th and 27th , the historic center of Alba will be transformed into a “Wine Route”.

Producers from the Langhe and Roero will meet the public directly through tastings and tours dedicated to the Piedmontese regions.

Open Cellars during Harvest

Until October 25, 2026 , the companies belonging to the Wine Tourism Movement will open their doors to visitors to tell the story of the grapes' journey from the vineyard to the cellar.

Harvesting, pressing, fermentation, and tastings become tools for understanding the region and developing wine tourism.

Wines at Forte in Spinea

From 18 to 20 September , Forte Sirtori in Spinea hosts the first edition of “Vini al Forte”.

Three days dedicated to tastings, a market exhibition, workshops, photography, culture, and guided tours, involving farms, associations, and the local community.

Terra Madre: workshops dedicated to wine

From September 25th to 27th , as part of Terra Madre, several Taste Workshops dedicated to wine are planned.

The in-depth analysis also includes Latin American viticulture, including Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia, with a focus on Creole varieties and the winemakers committed to reviving this heritage.

Piedmont: Wine and Tourism Along the Via della Sesia

The Novaresi Hills Trail offers itineraries that pass through 16 Wine Cities .

The Via della Sesia extends for approximately 100 kilometers in five stages , combining vineyards, rice fields, villages, landscape and cultural heritage.

WORK AND LEGALITY IN THE GRAPE HARVEST

Checks in the Vicenza area: illegal workers and sanctions

During inspections at agricultural companies involved in the grape harvest in the Vicenza area, the Labour Inspectorate identified seven illegal workers, three of whom were minors .

According to reports, the overall fines envisaged amount to approximately 30,000 euros .

THE SIGNAL OF THE DAY

The news of September 17 paints a picture of a sector that is changing on multiple fronts.

On the one hand, there is pressure on prices, high inventories, and lower yields in some areas ; on the other, industrial investments continue, there is growing interest in wine tourism, and new models of direct consumer relationships are being developed.

The cellar is also changing its function: it is no longer just a place of production, but is increasingly becoming a destination, an experience, a commercial space and a tool for promoting the local area .

Scientific research, climate adaptation, regulations, internationalization, and new management methods therefore become central elements of the future competitiveness of Italian wine.

FORBUS – BUSINESS, M&A AND NEW MODELS FOR WINERIES

In today's market, wine quality remains fundamental, but by itself it does not guarantee growth and profitability.

FORBUS – Winery Business Generator , created by QUIDQUID Srls, integrates skills dedicated to viticulture, business management, oenology, business development, communication and asset valorization.

The activity includes M&A of wineries and agricultural companies, search for investors and buyers, joint ventures, rent to buy, rent to own, lease management and Gestion-System , as well as the development of new revenues through direct sales and wine tourism.

The goal is to provide concrete support to wineries, entrepreneurs, and investors in growth, acquisition, reorganization, enhancement, or divestment operations.

Today's wine press review is brought to you by WINEIDEA.IT.

See you tomorrow.