MTV: The MASAF decree is a good thing, now there are clear rules to involve the associations representing the wineries.

"It's certainly positive to see the Ministry's growing focus on wine tourism and, above all, its willingness to make new resources available for its promotion. This is an important recognition of the value that wine tourism has acquired for wineries, the reputation of our wines, and the economy of Italy's wine-growing regions."

This is how Violante Gardini Cinelli Colombini , president of the Wine Tourism Movement, comments on the new decree from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry dedicated to the promotion of wine tourism.

The measure introduces, starting with the 2026/2027 wine year, support for wine tourism promotion activities, with grants of up to 50% of eligible costs, including promotional initiatives, visits to wineries and vineyards, events, fairs, and exhibitions. For the first wine year, the application deadline is December 15, 2026.

"The decree assigns the Regions a very important role in the concrete implementation of the measure," Gardini continues . "For this reason, it will be essential to understand how the new opportunities will be implemented in different regions and, above all, which organizations will actually be able to access them."

The Wine Tourism Movement is paying particular attention to the provision that includes "professional organizations representing wine production" among the potential beneficiaries.

"This is a very important step for us," Gardini observes . "The Wine Tourism Movement, through its regional branches, represents over 700 Italian wineries and has been working specifically to promote hospitality, vineyards, and wine regions for over thirty years. We therefore hope that AGEA and the Regions will quickly clarify the procedures for accessing the measure, also promoting these forms of representation of the winemaking world."

Lawyer Marco Giuri , an expert in wine law, also intervenes on this point:

The decree contains a legally interesting element because, alongside the traditional sector categories, it includes professional organizations representing wine production among the beneficiaries. European legislation has opened the initiative to additional professional organizations operating in the wine sector, and the statutory structure of Movimento Turismo del Vino (Wine Tourism Movement) provides concrete evidence to support the association's inclusion in this category. However, this is not automatic admission: it will be important to document MTV's actual representativeness and, above all, to verify how AGEA and the individual regions will implement this provision. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a clarification of the application that would allow organizations truly representing wineries to immediately understand the conditions for accessing the measure.

The Wine Tourism Movement also draws attention to the digital tools and data collection required by the decree. AGEA, through the SIAN and in accordance with the provisions of the decree, will be able to provide beneficiaries with tools for recording events, georeferencing visitable vineyards, collecting statistical data, and promoting the area.

"This is a particularly exciting opportunity," Gardini emphasizes . "We've long advocated for structured data on Italian wine tourism. Better understanding visitors, regions, and businesses means we can develop more effective promotional policies and strategies."

Among the priorities indicated by MTV also remains the training of wine hospitality operators.

The decree allows AGEA, in agreement with the Regions, to expand the list of planned actions. Movimento Turismo del Vino therefore proposes to consider, in subsequent implementing provisions, specific training and professional development activities strictly related to improving the quality of wine tourism hospitality.

"We welcome this new tool," concludes Gardini . "Now we need to ensure that the resources can support projects that truly bring together wineries and regions and enhance Italy's reputation as an international wine tourism destination."