Home » TOURISM NEWS » Vinitaly.USA 2025 Strengthens Italy’s Commitment to the U.S. Wine Market with Groundbreaking New Features
Monday, July 28, 2025
Italy is reaffirming its historic and robust relationship with the U.S. market at a critical juncture for the wine industry, as Vinitaly.USA returns to Navy Pier in Chicago on October 5–6, 2025. The event marks a significant moment in the evolution of Italy’s wine trade presence in the U.S., introducing two major highlights that promise to elevate the experience for both wine producers and American wine professionals. Among the most notable developments are the inaugural launch of the wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum – Special Edition on American soil and the unveiling of wineries selected for OperaWine 2026, in collaboration with Wine Spectator. These initiatives further strengthen the standing of Vinitaly.USA, which has consistently built upon its legacy as the premier showcase for Italian wines in the United States.
A Comprehensive and Expansive Showcase of Italian Wine
Vinitaly.USA 2025 continues to solidify its reputation as the first and only fully dedicated Italian wine trade fair in the U.S. The event is organized by Veronafiere and Fiere Italiane in partnership with the Italian Trade Commission (ITA) and the Italian American Chamber of Commerce, Midwest. This collaboration underscores Italy’s deep-rooted commitment to strengthening its presence in the U.S. wine market, which is undergoing significant shifts in consumer habits, distribution models, and economic conditions.
Italian wine producers, aware of these evolving market dynamics, are increasing their investments to establish long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationships with U.S. importers, distributors, buyers, sommeliers, and media outlets. The expanding role of the U.S. in the global wine market has prompted Italian wineries to place greater emphasis on engaging directly with American professionals, ensuring their wines are represented accurately and reach a wide array of consumers across the country.
The 2025 edition of Vinitaly.USA builds on the success of the 2024 event, which featured over 230 producers, 1,650 wines, and attracted more than 1,500 qualified trade attendees. The upcoming event is poised to grow both in size and scope, showcasing a diverse range of Italian wines, from long-established estates to innovative, forward-thinking winemakers from all 20 of Italy’s regions. With the addition of expert-led masterclasses, tastings, and specialized B2B meetings, Vinitaly.USA 2025 will deliver an immersive and comprehensive experience aimed at connecting Italy’s finest wines with its most important export market.
A Hub for Italian Wine Culture in Chicago
The choice to return to Chicago for the 2025 edition of Vinitaly.USA is a strategic decision, as the city is recognized as a major trade hub in the United States. According to Adolfo Rebughini, the General Manager of Veronafiere, Chicago provides the ideal setting for fostering commercial ties and promoting Italian food and wine culture. The event’s location at Navy Pier enables a central gathering of key wine professionals, importers, distributors, and buyers from all over the U.S., contributing to the event’s success and its importance within the broader U.S. wine industry.
In an effort to continue expanding and strengthening its offerings, Vinitaly.USA 2025 will introduce several new additions, including the SOLEXPO international olive oil trade show and Vinitaly Tourism, a fresh initiative focused on wine tourism. These additions enrich the overall experience, highlighting other facets of the Italian food and beverage sector that are integral to Italy’s global reputation for excellence. These initiatives aim to foster collaboration and resilience, which are key to navigating current market uncertainties and ensuring a prosperous future for the Italian wine industry in the U.S.
Wine2Wine Vinitaly Business Forum – Special Edition
One of the most significant innovations for Vinitaly.USA 2025 is the introduction of the wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum – Special Edition. This marks the first time that Italy’s leading wine business platform will be held in the United States. The wine2wine forum is known for its targeted content, which brings topical discussions and expert-led sessions to the global wine community. By hosting this special edition in Chicago, the event provides American wine professionals with an opportunity to engage directly with Italian and global experts in the industry.
The wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum – Special Edition will offer curated talks and interactive sessions focused on the latest trends in the wine industry, providing invaluable insights into the evolving dynamics of the global wine market. Topics will cover areas such as distribution strategies, marketing techniques, sustainability practices, and the technological innovations transforming the wine industry. This addition underscores the commitment of Veronafiere and Vinitaly to foster a more informed, connected, and dynamic global wine business community.
The OperaWine 2026 Unveiling: Expanding International Influence
Another major milestone for Vinitaly.USA 2025 is the partnership with Wine Spectator to reveal the list of wineries selected for OperaWine 2026. This marks the first time that this prestigious unveiling will take place outside of Italy, further solidifying Vinitaly.USA’s growing international influence. The unveiling of the OperaWine selection offers a significant opportunity for high-level networking, bringing together a global network of wine professionals, including importers, distributors, sommeliers, journalists, and influencers.
OperaWine, a partnership between Vinitaly and Wine Spectator, has long been one of the most respected events in the global wine calendar, showcasing some of Italy’s finest producers. The unveiling at Vinitaly.USA 2025 provides an opportunity for U.S.-based trade professionals to connect with the exclusive list of wineries selected for OperaWine 2026. This landmark event reinforces Vinitaly.USA’s role in promoting Italian wine in the U.S. and highlights the increasingly important relationship between Italy and the U.S. wine markets.
Federico Bricolo, President of Veronafiere SpA, expressed his excitement about this groundbreaking moment, emphasizing that Vinitaly.USA represents a natural extension of the organization’s mission to stand alongside Italian wine producers in the world’s most important markets. By offering real business opportunities, international visibility, and direct access to key industry players, Vinitaly.USA provides a critical platform for collaboration between Italian producers, U.S. importers, and other key stakeholders.
A Platform for Business Opportunities and Collaboration
Vinitaly.USA continues to serve as an essential platform for fostering collaboration between Italy’s wine producers and the U.S. wine market. The event is not only an opportunity for networking but also a space for direct business interactions. As the U.S. market experiences shifts in wine consumer preferences, distribution models, and economic factors, Italian wine producers are looking to establish deeper, long-term relationships with U.S. professionals. The event provides a unique opportunity for dialogue, enabling both parties to engage in meaningful discussions that can drive future growth.
The expanded scope of Vinitaly.USA 2025, including the addition of new trade shows and specialized events, reflects the growing importance of the U.S. market to Italian wine producers. With an evolving and increasingly competitive landscape, Italian wineries are leveraging Vinitaly.USA as a platform to demonstrate their wines’ quality and versatility, while also gaining critical insights into trends shaping the American wine market.
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Italian Wine in the U.S.
The continued success of Vinitaly.USA highlights the ongoing strength and potential of Italy’s wine industry in the U.S. market. By expanding its reach and introducing new initiatives, Vinitaly.USA 2025 provides a comprehensive and immersive experience for all attendees. The event offers a valuable opportunity for Italian wine producers to strengthen their connections with key U.S. trade professionals, while also providing a glimpse into the future of the Italian wine industry’s global growth.
As Italy continues to refine its strategies for entering and expanding in the U.S. market, the focus remains on building lasting relationships, fostering collaboration, and responding to market demands. The upcoming Vinitaly.USA 2025 is set to be a pivotal event in the ongoing evolution of Italy’s wine trade, providing both opportunities for business growth and a deeper understanding of the American wine market.
Conclusion: A Landmark Year for Vinitaly.USA and Italian Wine
Vinitaly.USA 2025 represents a landmark year for both the event and Italy’s wine industry. With new initiatives, expanded offerings, and a stronger commitment to fostering international partnerships, this year’s edition promises to be a defining moment in the history of the trade fair. As the American wine market continues to evolve, Vinitaly.USA stands at the forefront of promoting Italian wine, helping to shape the future of this dynamic and ever-growing industry. Through strategic collaboration, education, and engagement, Italy’s wine producers are poised for continued success in the U.S. market.
Dining and Cooking