The Italian wine industry is taking significant strides to solidify its presence in the U.S. market with the highly anticipated return of Vinitaly.USA 2025, set to take place at Navy Pier in Chicago on October 5–6, 2025.
This year’s event promises to be special as it will introduce two prominent features: the debut of the wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum – Special Edition and the unveiling of the wineries selected for OperaWine 2026, in collaboration with Wine Spectator.
Organized by Veronafiere and Fiere Italiane, alongside the Italian Trade Commission (ITA) and the Italian American Chamber of Commerce, Midwest, Vinitaly.USA aims to reinforce Italy’s longstanding commitment to the American wine market.
As the U.S. wine sector continues to evolve in consumer preferences and economic factors, Italian producers are making substantial investments to cultivate lasting relationships with various U.S. stakeholders including buyers, importers, distributors, and sommeliers.
Vinitaly.USA 2025 follows a successful 2024 edition that attracted over 230 producers and showcased 1,650 wines to more than 1,500 qualified trade attendees. This year’s event will further expand its scale and scope, providing a comprehensive experience that highlights the full breadth of Italian wine, spanning from traditional estates to innovative winemakers.
Adolfo Rebughini, General Manager of Veronafiere, expressed that the decision to return to Chicago is due to the city’s strategic importance in U.S. trade.
“Vinitaly.USA is designed to strengthen commercial ties and promote Italian food and wine culture,” he noted.
In addition to the wine2wine Business Forum, the event will feature SOLEXPO, an international olive oil trade show, and Vinitaly Tourism, a new initiative promoting wine tourism.
These additions aim to enrich the Vinitaly experience and emphasize other significant aspects of Italy’s cultural heritage.
Rebughini emphasized the importance of collaboration and resilience in navigating market uncertainties, ensuring a successful future for the Italian wine industry in the U.S.
A notable innovation this year is the wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum, which will take place in the U.S. for the first time. This leading business platform focuses on providing targeted content and engaging discussions tailored for American wine professionals, featuring specialized talks and sessions led by industry experts.
Wine Spectator’s participation is a significant factor this year as well, as it will reveal the prestigious list of wineries chosen for OperaWine 2026 outside of Italy for the first time.
This groundbreaking announcement signifies Vinitaly.USA’s expanding international impact while creating opportunities for high-level networking across the wine sector, including importers, distributors, journalists, sommeliers, and influencers.
Federico Bricolo, President of Veronafiere SpA, highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating that the unveiling of the OperaWine 2026 wineries marks a pivotal moment for the global growth of Italian wine.
“Vinitaly.USA represents a natural extension of our mission: to stand alongside Italian producers in the world’s most important markets, offering real business opportunities, international visibility, and direct access to the top players in the wine industry,” said Bricolo.
He also noted that the event is an excellent platform for dialogue with various institutions, trade associations, and consortia, which collectively work to support and strengthen the Italian wine system in the United States.
Attendees in the industry are encouraged to register, as participation is limited to professionals.
Industry buyers and educators can register through the official links provided, and members of the media can obtain a free press pass for the event.
As the Italian wine sector gears up for Vinitaly.USA 2025, the commitment to fostering strong relations and promoting the rich heritage of Italian wine in the U.S. market continues to gain momentum.
This year’s event is positioned not only to showcase the exquisite wines from Italy but also to reinforce the essential ties that bind the Italian and American wine industries.
image source from：prnewswire
