Verona, 8 April 2026 – From menus created by Michelin-starred chefs to gourmet street food and traditional regional dishes reinterpreted by a new generation of sustainability-minded chefs: at Vinitaly 2026, from 12 to 15 April, fine dining takes center stage in the narrative of Italian wine and its deep connection with local territories and national identity. Every wine-and-food pairing thus becomes an authentic expression of Made in Italy. In line with the recognition of Italian cuisine as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, the 58th edition of Vinitaly at Veronafiere translates this into a rich offering of true culinary experiences awaiting trade professionals and buyers from around the world.
At the heart of the Vinitaly’s Gourmet Experience is the Ristorante d’Autore di Campagna Amica – La Casa della Cucina Italiana, a new format developed together with Coldiretti, Campagna Amica and Terranostra. The project brings the dialogue between agriculture, cuisine and territory to the core of the exhibition. On 12 April (Palaexpo, Level 1), the tasting menu will be curated by Ciro Scamardella of Pipero; on 13 April it will be Riccardo Monco of Enoteca Pinchiorri; on 14 April, the spotlight will turn to Tortellante – the social promotion association supported by chef Massimo Bottura; and on 15 April the stage will belong to the Cuochi Contadini (Farmer Chefs), guardians of rural tradition and local gastronomic heritage, offering an interpretation of Italian cuisine that unites agricultural supply chains, food culture and the fight against waste. Special attention will also be devoted to another product that distinguishes Italy worldwide: coffee, with an after-dinner proposal by the È Tricaffè roastery of the Aneri family.
Alongside this space, the Ristorante Momenti d’Autore di Vinitaly (Level 1, gallery between Halls 11 and 12) returns, entrusted to the talents of JRE–Jeunes Restaurateurs Italia, each presenting a menu featuring their signature dish. On 12 April, Giorgio Bartolucci (Atelier Ristorante, Domodossola) will open the program, followed on 13 April by Alfonso Caputo (Taverna del Capitano, Nerano – Marina del Cantone), on 14 April by Leonardo Fiorenzani (La Sosta del Cavaliere, Sovicille), and on 15 April by Agnese Loss (Osteria Contemporanea, Gattinara). The Gourmet Street Food offering is also expanding, doubling its presence: in Area I, opposite Hall 11, JRE Italia will curate three stations featuring young restaurateurs, a mixology bar and DJ sets; in Area H (after Hall 5), visitors can enjoy traditional dishes from Rome, Veneto and Trentino.
Among the starred dining proposals, Hall 1 (Emilia-Romagna) will host “Cracco a Vinitaly” and the “Piadineria VistaMare”, with Carlo Cracco interpreting haute cuisine and popular tradition paired with regional wines. Also in Area H is the Piemonte Land restaurant, dedicated to Piedmontese cuisine and led by chef Davide Palluda of Ristorante All’Enoteca in Canale d’Alba.
At Vinitaly, the wine–restaurant pairing is also explored from an economic and consumer perspective. On Monday 13 April at 4:30 pm, in the Masaf Area at Palaexpo, the conference “The Consumer at the Center – The New Alliance between Wine and Catering” will present the first FIPE-UIV Observatory survey “Wine & Catering”, conducted in collaboration with Vinitaly on a representative panel of Italian restaurants and venues. Speakers include Carlo Flamini, Head of the Wine Observatory at UIV–Unione Italiana Vini; Giulia Erba, Research Office FIPE-Confcommercio; Lamberto Frescobaldi, President of UIV–Unione Italiana Vini; and Lino Enrico Stoppani, President of FIPE-Confcommercio. The closing address will be delivered by Francesco Lollobrigida, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry.