New York City, July 6, 2026. Vinitaly's communication and buyer outreach campaign dedicated to the U.S. market has arrived in New York City as part of the Amerigo Vespucci World Tour and the official celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence. Yesterday, Veronafiere's international trade fair brand for the promotion of Italian wine celebrated wine, the product that best symbolizes the longstanding partnership between Italy and the United States, aboard the training ship Amerigo Vespucci, docked in the Port of New York as part of the North America Campaign 2026. The campaign is promoted by the Italian Ministry of Defence and the Italian Navy, produced by Difesa Servizi S.p.A., in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Ministry of Culture, the Minister for Sport and Youth and the Minister for Disabilities, with the support of ITA-Italian Trade Agency.
One of the key objectives of Veronafiere’s strategic presence in the U.S. market, which accounts for nearly one-quarter of Italy’s total wine exports, is to present the third edition of Vinitaly.USA, scheduled for October 26-27 at Pier 36 in New York City, to approximately 40 selected buyers from North America’s major macro-regions. To date, the event has already confirmed 250 exhibitors representing Italy's leading wine-producing regions and appellations and is approaching a complete sell-out of its 11,000 square metres of exhibition space. Confirmed participants include the Asti Docg, Brunello di Montalcino, Doc Sicilia, Prosecco Doc, and Vini dell'Elba protection consortia, as well as Italia del Vino. Regional collective exhibitions from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, and Sardinia have also been confirmed, while additional major participations are currently being finalized. These will be joined by a delegation of 95 wineries organized by ITA-Italian Trade Agency.
“We are working both in Italy and in the United States, where we are implementing a large and structured buyer outreach campaign which, starting with Vinitaly.USA, also aims to engage industry operators ahead of the 59th edition of Vinitaly in 2027. The Northeast of the United States is particularly strategic, accounting for 19% of total Italian wine consumption by volume and 22% by value – said the President of Veronafiere, Federico Bricolo, during the presentation of the third edition of Vinitaly.USA aboard the Amerigo Vespucci –. At this complex stage, we are working alongside institutions to strengthen economic diplomacy, while also supporting companies for which the U.S. market remains essential. For this reason, we are intensifying our networking efforts to expand contacts and business opportunities. For this reason – Bricolo concluded – the next American edition of Vinitaly will offer selected buyers two high-level days featuring an agenda that includes masterclasses, tastings, Vinitaly Tourism initiatives dedicated to wine tourism incoming, wine2wine sessions with market insights, and SolExpo, Veronafiere’s format dedicated to high-quality extra virgin olive oil. All of this will be paired with Italian cuisine, allowing trade professionals to experience an immersive Made in Italy experience.”
The presentation of Vinitaly.USA was preceded by opening remarks from Captain Nicasio Falica, Commanding Officer of the Amerigo Vespucci, followed by speeches from Erica Digiovancarlo (Coordinator of the ITA – Italian Trade Agency USA Network), Stevie Kim (Managing Director of Vinitaly International), and Veronafiere President Federico Bricolo. Subsequently, guests attended a tasting featuring wines from the Consorzi Asti Docg, Brunello di Montalcino, Doc Sicilia, Prosecco Doc, and Vini dell'Elba consortia, as well as the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, all exclusive Vinitaly partners for the events held aboard the Amerigo Vespucci.
As a completion of Veronafiere’s North American mission, which began in recent days with the Vinitaly.USA Canada Preview, the trade fair brand will move tomorrow, July 7, to Miami, Florida, where it will host an event at Macchialina, a restaurant listed in the Michelin Guide. The program includes the presentation of Vinitaly.USA to an additional 35 operators, including distributors and buyers, as well as the masterclass “Italy Beyond the Usual Suspects,” led by Jacqueline Pirolo, co-owner and beverage director of the venue and Michelin Guide Florida Sommelier 2025, organized in collaboration with Coldiretti. The tasting will feature labels from Cantina dei Colli Ripani (Marche), Cantina delle Vigne di Piero Mancini (Sardinia), Accademia Olearia – Tenute Fois (Sardinia), Cantina VentiVenti (Emilia-Romagna), Azienda Di Sante (Puglia), Cantina San Pancrazio (Puglia), and Vendrame – Vignis del Doge (Friuli-Venezia Giulia).
*Data in the statement by President Bricolo are provided by the UIV–Vinitaly Observatory.