From November 5 to 7, 2025, the city of Pordenone in northeastern Italy is hosting the fifth edition of R.I.V.E., the International Exhibition of Viticulture and Enology. The event takes place at the Pordenone Fairgrounds and is expected to draw professionals from across the wine industry, including wineries, oenologists, and wine producers. Entry is free for industry operators who register on the official website.
R.I.V.E. was first held in 2017 and has quickly become a key event for the wine sector, focusing on every stage of the supply chain from vine to bottle. The exhibition is organized by Pordenone Fiere in partnership with FEDERUNACOMA and FEDERACMA, two major organizations in agricultural machinery. The event also receives support from ITA – Italian Trade Agency, Assoenologi (the national association of viticulture and enology technicians), CAI Agromec (representing agricultural mechanization companies), as well as local banks and regional institutions.
Renato Pujatti, president of Pordenone Fiere, said that R.I.V.E. aims to be more than just an exhibition. He described it as a platform that promotes innovation, technical advancement, sustainability, and internationalization within the wine sector. According to Pujatti, each edition has seen growth in both exhibitor numbers and international participation, with a strong focus on scientific and technical content.
Stefano Zannier, regional councilor for agri-food resources, highlighted the strategic importance of R.I.V.E. for the wine industry at a time when market challenges are increasing. He emphasized the need for targeted investments in mechanization and efficiency to help producers maintain their competitive edge.
The choice of Pordenone as host city reflects the region’s significance in Italian winemaking. The northeast of Italy produces about a quarter of the country’s wine output. The area is also known for its leadership in vine nursery production and is home to Prosecco, one of Italy’s most recognized wine brands worldwide.
For the 2025 harvest, Italy is expected to produce around 47.4 million hectoliters of wine and must, an increase of 8% over 2024. Veneto remains the top producing region with over 10.6 million hectoliters in 2024 and a projected 2% increase for 2025. Friuli-Venezia Giulia is set to grow by 10%, while Trentino-Alto Adige expects a 9% rise.
This year’s R.I.V.E. will feature more than 250 companies with stands and showcase over 350 brands covering products, machinery, and technology for every part of the wine supply chain. Eight exhibition halls will be open, totaling 28,000 square meters, plus an outdoor area dedicated to live demonstrations under the Dynamic RIVE program. Exhibitors from France, Spain, Slovenia, and Germany are among those participating. Compared to 2023, there is one additional hall and more than a 20% increase in exhibitors.
Organizers hope to surpass last edition’s attendance of 10,000 visitors by attracting more international guests, especially from the Balkans and Eastern Europe—regions increasingly interested in Italian enological technology.
Beyond commercial exhibits, R.I.V.E. places strong emphasis on education and innovation. The Enotrend program will offer over thirty seminars, workshops, and conferences developed by a technical-scientific committee led by Professor Attilio Scienza. Topics will include scientific research, sustainability practices, new vineyard technologies, regulatory changes, resistant grape varieties, and market uncertainties.
Dynamic R.I.V.E., held outside Pavilion 6 in a recreated vineyard setting, will allow visitors to see live demonstrations of robotics and drones used in precision viticulture—an example of how technology is transforming vineyard management.
A new feature this year is the R.I.V.E. Award for Innovation in Viticulture and Enology. This prize will recognize exhibitors whose products or projects best combine productivity with sustainability and adaptability to climate change. Out of 34 entries submitted by exhibitors across categories such as machinery for viticulture, agronomic solutions, digital tools, and enological technologies or products, a technical jury will select four winners per category. The awards ceremony will take place during the opening event on November 5.
R.I.V.E.’s growing scale reflects both its local roots in one of Europe’s most productive wine regions and its ambition to serve as a reference point for innovation across the global wine industry.
Dining and Cooking