Italian wine confirms the centrality of the American market and strengthens its presence in the States with Vinitaly.usa and Wine2Wine Vinitaly Business Forum, both scheduled at the Navy Pier in Chicago on Sunday 5 and Monday 6 October.
Organized by Veronafiere-Vinitaly with Ita-Italian Trade Agency, Italian fairs and the American Italian Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest-Chicago, the second edition of the event will feature over 250 exhibitors, from the most important and well-known brands on the stars and stripes market to the regional collectives (Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Piedmont, Sardinia, Umbria and Veneto) and Consortium) (Consorzi del Prosecco Doc, of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Docg, of Asti DOCG, Valpolicella, Brunello di Montalcino, Custoza, Chiaretto and Bardolino, Lugana and Garda) representing the Made in Italy wine offer, on a path of more than 2 thousand labels.
“In Chicago we await more than 1500 operators, between buyers and importers. A result that, in a complex context for the sector, confirms Vinitaly.usa as a fundamental and indispensable garrison for Italian wine in the United States – comments the president of Veronafiere, Federico Bricolo-. A bridge between our companies and the main players of a market that can still express new business areas that Veronafiere intends to intercept. With this goal, this year we present ourselves with our two leading reviews in promoting wine “.
On the agenda, in the two days at the Navy Pier, a mosaic of events consisting of 16 masterclasses and about 35 international comparison sessions ranging from the analysis of the markets and trends to opportunities in North America (USA, Canada and Mexico), from the strategies to deal with duties and challenges that can redesign the American market to wine tourism with the presentation of regional initiatives to strengthen the bond between the territory and the promotion.
For the general manager of Veronafiere, Adolfo Rebughini: “Vinitaly.usa is the platform with which we intercept the great opportunities that the American market continues to offer, strengthening the presence of Italian wine also in the states where it can consolidate with greater strength, enhancing its exceptional diversity. Chicago represents a fundamental starting point of a long -term path, also supported by new integrated promotion tools such as Vinitaly Tourism, which makes the Enoturism a strategic asset for the development of Italian wine and for the development of Italian wine and for the development of Italian wine and the promotion of the beauty of our territories. “
At the inauguration of the second edition of Vinitaly.usa (5 October), they intervene: Federico Bricolopresident of Veronafiere; Brandon Johnsonmayor of Chicago;Marco PeronaciAmbassador of Italy in the USA; Marco RagoLegal Councilor Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Maurizio Muzzettapresident of Italian fairs uses LLC; Domenico MaurielloSecretary General Assocamesteo e Robert AllegriniPresident Niaf (The National Italian American Foundation). The opening ceremony continues with the contributions of: Luigi ScordamagliaCEO of Italy Case; Giordano Emo Capodiusvice -president of Confagricoltura;Tommaso BattistaCopagri President;Carmelo TroccoliNational Director of Campagna Amica Foundation; Marzia VarvaglioneCEEV (European Committee for Wine Business Committee) Lamberto FrescobaldiPresident of the Italian Union of Vini (in connection).
Follows the Ita – Italian Trade Agency Business Forum, with the participation of Massimo Tuzzi (Terra Moretti), Francesco very (Ethica Wines), Bill Towards (Towelo Wine Group), Diva Moretti poleargato (Villa Sandi) e Matteo Zoppaspresident of Italy – Italian Trade Agency. The conclusions of the panel are instead entrusted to the minister of agriculture, food sovereignty and forests, Francesco Lollobrigida.
At the inaugural ceremony, the vice -president is also present for Veronafiere Marina Montedoro and the managing director Barbara Ferro.
Among the main market focus scheduled in the two days of Vinitaly.usa those dedicated specifically to Canada, the United States and Mexico and the panel on the state of the sector with the participation of Kaleigh Theriaultdirettore Beverage Alcohol Thought Leadership Nielseniq, Francis Creightonpresident Waswa (Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America) e Chloses of swartzzvicepresidente & deputy sales manager V.O.S. Selections. Under the lens also the tariff turbulence and the consequent strategies to deal with changes in the US-Italy commercial relations in the analysis of Benjamin aneffpresidente U.S. Wine Trade Alliance.
The Masterclass billboard, two of which guided by Decanter and Wine Enthusiast, is completed with 4 tasting signed by SolExpothe first international fair in Italy of the entire oil supply chain, which brings 21 references of extra virgin olive oil to Chicago in tasting of 13 exhibiting companies, from 6 Italian regions (Abruzzo, Veneto, Campania, Puglia, Tuscany, Marche).
To vinitaly.usa, which for the 2025 edition has as an exceptional ambassador CrillingItalian multiple champion in the nineties of winter sports (free and supergiant descent) with 33 podiums in the World Cup, the exam sessions of the Vinitaly International Academy (via) for 20 candidates from Illinois, Colorado, Oregon, California, Florida, North Carolina, Minnesota, Ontario, Ny and New Jersey. While on the evening of 5 October the announcement of the list of Vinitaly Operawine 2026 by Wine Spectator producers is expected.
After Vinitaly.usa, the international trade fair brand dedicated to the promotion of Italian wine will stop in Japan (Tokyo, 17 and 18 November), in Serbia with Vinitaly @wine Vision by Open Balkan (Belgrade, 22-25 November) and below in Albania (Tirana, November 26). The 2025 will close with Vinitaly Preview in Thailand (Bangkok) and India December). While, to date, Veronafiere’s foreign calendar provides Vinitaly Roadshow India (Mumbai and Panaji – Goa 16 and 18 January 2026), to then continue in Poland (Warsaw, late January 2026) and Norway (Oslo, February). Asia returns to the center of the internationalization strategy in March with Vinitaly China Chengdu (March 22-25), which will pass the baton to Verona for the 58th edition of Vinitaly (12-15 April 2026). Vinitaly.usa 2026 is also confirmed.
