Veneto wine region 2026: production estimates hold up despite climate fluctuations.

Despite sharp temperature swings and more frequent extreme weather events, Veneto's vineyards are holding up: production estimates are in line with last year's. This is what emerged from the first meeting of the 52nd edition of the Veneto Wine Triptych , which took place online this morning.

The event, organized by Veneto Agricoltura in collaboration with the Veneto Region , ARPAV , and CREA , and opened with greetings from Veneto Agricoltura director Federico Caner and regional agriculture councilor Dario Bond , served to analyze the current state of health of the region's vineyards and delve into the initial production forecasts for the vintage, which has all the credentials to repeat the excellent results of 2025.

Last year, the vineyard area , 75% of which was planted with white grape varieties and the remaining 25% with red grape varieties, amounted to over 104,000 hectares, and total grape production stood at 14.7 million quintals (6.8% annual growth). The harvest generated 11.4 million hectoliters of wine , marking a 7% growth over 2024.

These numbers have confirmed Veneto as a leading Italian wine producer, and now, in 2026 as well, the preliminary conditions of the vines and vineyards promise a very respectable harvest.

The weather trend , as underlined by Francesco Rech (ARPAV, Regional Department for Territorial Security) based on the findings of the Conegliano meteorological station, was, in the first half of the year, fluctuating, with some isolated frosts, temperatures generally above average, a May characterised first by cold, and then by heat, anomalous and various extreme climatic phenomena , such as gusts of wind and rather significant hailstorms.

However, this did not cause any particular damage to the Veneto vineyards, which budded early, highlighting a slightly increased potential fertility compared to 2025. The factors highlighted in the study by Patrick Marcuzzo and Francesco Capovilla (Council for Agricultural Research and Analysis of Agricultural Economics, Viticulture and Oenology Research Center) were crucial in this regard: the drought events, as well as the spring frosts, did not negatively impact the vegetative development of the plants, and downy mildew , a fungal disease much feared by winemakers, circulated with significantly less intensity than last year.

However, regarding flavescence dorée , utmost attention must remain: the 2025 censuses revealed a widespread presence of Scaphoideus titanus, the insect vector of flavescence dorée, in much of the Veneto wine-growing areas (approximately 92%). Therefore, in 2026 too, it is necessary to insist on the mandatory control measures outlined by Diego Fornasiero (Veneto Region Phytosanitary Organizational Unit), namely insecticide treatments in the specific windows indicated by the Region and the uprooting of plants showing symptoms attributable to the disease.

The meeting concluded with a presentation by Loredana Moffa (Council for Agricultural Research and Analysis of Agricultural Economics, Viticulture and Oenology Research Center), who presented the opportunities and prospects in Veneto for gene editing, a process that can be used to increase vine resistance to disease and ensure safer and more sustainable wine production.

"The Veneto wine sector," declared Federico Caner , director of Veneto Agricoltura, on the sidelines of the event, "despite the climate changes and geopolitical events shaping the current scenario, continues to deliver significant returns. This is evidenced by the overall value generated by Veneto wine products, which in 2025 amounted to €1.9 billion. However, the context, due to the factors already mentioned, remains exceptional, and therefore Veneto Agricoltura's support for sector operators continues assiduously. This is achieved through informational and reconnaissance meetings, such as the Trittico Vitivinicolo inaugurated today, and through ad hoc experimental projects. These include Ampelopros , with which we are working to broaden the ampelographic base of Prosecco vineyards, and the cultivation of PIWI vines , hybrid varieties capable of resisting fungal diseases and therefore reducing the need for pesticide treatments."

Regional Agriculture Councilor Dario Bond agrees, but with a specific focus on market issues: "The Trittico Vitivinicolo events are always significant for the Veneto wine sector , which, especially in this historical period, due to the international geopolitical context, is experiencing a challenging time. So far, however, as demonstrated by 2025, the sector has responded well, and the Region's support in this regard continues to be constant, not only on the strictly agricultural side, together with Veneto Agricoltura, but also on the commercial side. Ministerial decrees are in the works that will encourage significant investments in wine tourism , with the aim of attracting new customers: the harvest numbers must always be reflected in the market."