Despite ongoing concerns about tariffs, the United States remains a vital and irreplaceable market for Italian wine exports. According to data from Istat, in 2024, Italian wine exports to the U.S. reached 1.9 billion euros out of a total of 8 billion euros. In the first five months of 2025, exports amounted to 838.7 million euros out of 3.2 billion, showing a 5.7% increase in value compared to a 0.8% decrease for total Italian wine exports worldwide.
The importance of maintaining a strong presence in the American market is clear, especially as international trade conditions become more complex. To address these challenges, Italian wine producers are intensifying their promotional activities in the U.S., with Vinitaly.Usa playing a central role. The second edition of Vinitaly.Usa will take place at Navy Pier in Chicago on October 5 and 6, 2025. Chicago is recognized as one of the country’s major economic centers, making it a strategic location for this event.
Veronafiere, the organizer behind Vinitaly, reports that nearly 250 exhibitors are expected at the Chicago event, including wineries and consortia with a combined turnover of 7.2 billion euros. This turnout highlights Vinitaly.Usa’s growing status as a key platform for Italian wine in the United States, bringing together both major brands and regional consortia during a sensitive period for global markets.
Federico Bricolo, president of Veronafiere, noted that many leading Italian wine companies are highly motivated to participate. He emphasized that increased presence and promotion are essential responses to tariff-related difficulties.
The event will feature prominent brands from across Italy, such as Antinori, Ferrari, Bellavista, Berlucchi, Planeta, Allegrini, Angelini Wines & Estates, Pasqua, Masciarelli, Feudi di San Gregorio, Varvaglione, San Polo – Marilisa Allegrini, Tasca d’Almerita, Rocca delle Macìe, Tommasi, Famiglia Cotarella, Mezzacorona, Gruppo Italiani Vini (GIV), and Frescobaldi. Prosecco producers like Villa Sandi, Mionetto and Valdo will also be present.
Numerous consortia will participate as well, representing regions such as Prosecco DOC and Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG, Asti DOCG, Valpolicella, Brunello di Montalcino, Custoza, Chiaretto and Bardolino, Lugana, Garda and Sicilia DOC.
Importers and buyers are also showing strong interest in the event. Companies such as Volio Fine Wine Imports, Vias Imports, Terlato Wines International, More Than Grapes Wine Imports, Winebow Fine Wines & Spirits and Eagle Eye Wines have confirmed their participation.
Adolfo Rebughini, general director of Veronafiere, stated that while these results are still preliminary, they already demonstrate significant attention from the American market toward Italian wine. He explained that Vinitaly.Usa aims to provide a stable and strategic platform to strengthen the presence of Italian companies in the U.S., turning even challenging market phases into opportunities for growth and stronger commercial relationships through collaboration among institutions, consortia and businesses.
The program includes tastings and business meetings designed to match supply with demand and provide market insights. For the first time outside Italy, the “wine2wine business forum” will be held in Chicago during Vinitaly.Usa instead of Verona in 2025; future editions will be evaluated for location after that year.
Twenty sessions are scheduled at the forum covering tastings and market analysis. On October 5 in Chicago there will also be an announcement of the wineries selected for Vinitaly OperaWine 2026 by Wine Spectator magazine—a major tasting event traditionally held before Vinitaly in Verona (scheduled for April 11-15, 2026).
Vinitaly Tourism will present enotourism opportunities at the event alongside educational initiatives from Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) and tastings of extra virgin olive oil at the Oil Bar by SolExpo.
These efforts reflect a coordinated push to showcase Italian excellence in wine and related products to American professionals and consumers alike during a period when maintaining strong international ties is more important than ever for Italy’s wine sector.
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