Tuscany, Veneto, Lombardy, Abruzzo — regions as delightful to say as their wines are to drink. When it comes to Italian wines for American consumers, offering a taste of storied, romantic heritage and a vast range of grape varieties and styles—well, that’s amore! That’s why, after five decades of being held in Verona, Italy, the B2B international wine and spirits trade show, Vinitaly, is debuting its inaugural U.S. edition on October 20–21 at Chicago’s Navy Pier.
This year’s stateside event will host more than 1,000 buyers, offering them a chance to connect with producers as they attend masterclasses and activations from more than 650 Italian wine and spirit brands. We talked to 9 buyers and importers who shared why they are attending Vinitaly.USA. Here’s what has them buzzing:
The Italian Connection
Attending a wine and spirits event held in picturesque Italy can be dream-worthy; however, for some buyers, the journey can be a logistical and financial challenge. Therefore, after 56 years in Verona, adding an American trade show just made sense. After all, U.S. buyers have historically led international attendance for the expo, and the U.S. is Italy’s top wine importer. Hosting Vinitaly in Chicago (a strategic choice from organizers due to easy connections throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico) makes the event much more accessible for those who might not have the opportunity to travel abroad easily, says Serena Harkey, Wine and Spirits Director of California-based Vine Hospitality. “It’s a fantastic chance to connect with the global wine community right here at home and to immerse ourselves in the incredible diversity and innovation that Italian wine has to offer.”
Some professionals, like buyer Alexandra Thomas, won’t even have to leave their home base. As the Wine Director and Lead Sommelier at Adalina restaurant in the Windy City’s Gold Coast neighborhood, Thomas has an enviable commute time — 11 minutes by taxi, to be exact — to this year’s festivities, and she “can’t wait to discover what Italy brings to Chicago.”
Face Time > FaceTime
American buyers attending Vinitaly.USA are particularly excited about connecting face-to-face with exhibitors and producers. “This is an invaluable opportunity to shake hands and clink glasses with so many of the amazing winery partners I work with all year,” says Shany Cruz, the Vice President of Acquisitions at Napa, California-based Intervine, Inc.
Dana Cona, founder of the boutique import company The International Wine Company, agrees, acknowledging her desire to “connect in person with colleagues I usually only communicate with by cell phone or computer.”
Most Italian producers make just one or two market trips per year and buyers are often juggling busy schedules. As Gianmaria Rizzo puts it, “Vinitaly.USA provides a valuable opportunity for us to introduce our suppliers to existing and potential buyers while collectively strategizing for the year ahead.” Rizzo is the Director of Sales and Marketing for More Than Grapes Importer & Distributor, who liaises with distribution partners in 16 states.
Women in Italian Wine
There are so many incredible female leaders in the world of Italian wine, from the Nonino and Antinori sisters to Marilisa Allegrini and Dr. Micaela Pallini, many of whom participants can expect to see at this year’s event. Since Vinitaly debuted its “Iconic Women in Wine” panel in 2022, attendees have grown hungry for more. This year’s show includes a Women in Wine and Spirits evening event that highlights both emerging and established producers and includes a roundtable moderated by VinePair editor-in-chief, Joanna Sciarrino. “It’s always inspiring to listen to other successful women in a [predominantly] man’s world,” says Maggie Craig, Associate Wine Buyer at Wine.com.
Dana Cona says it’s also the perfect opportunity to “support my fellow female industry leaders and learn about what’s new, exciting, challenging, and rewarding.”
Iconic Winemakers and New-to-the-Scene Producers
The relationship between buyers and producers is vital, and maintaining a connection with established names is easier than ever at this year’s Vinitaly.USA. “Behind every great wine is a story, and there is nothing cooler than drinking a glass of wine, having heard the story directly from the producer,” says Joshua Schonfeld, a partner at Vandalay Brands, the group behind 10 beloved Chicago dining spots, including Napolita, a Vera Pizza Napoletana-certified restaurant.
Emerging producers often have unique offerings that tell an equally captivating story — one that buyers are keen to hear and bring on board. Vinitaly.USA is an “excellent occasion to meet established names and rising stars,” while fostering enduring relationships with generations-old, family-owned producers, says Filippo Visconti di Modrone, the Director of Purchasing at Miami-based Casa Tua private club, hotel and restaurants.
The State of the Industry
It’s crucial to maintain “strong connections with suppliers and partners,” says Paula White, the Vice President, Western Canada at Authentic Wine & Spirits Merchants, a fourth-generation, family-owned importer — a distinction the company shares with many of the Italian winemakers who will be present. And while there’s much to say about heritage and tradition in the world of Italian wine, blink your eyes and you may miss what’s coming next. “The wine and spirits industry is shifting so rapidly and has changed greatly since I started 10 years ago,” says Craig. “I’m eager to see what other professionals think.”
Vinitaly.USA’s State of the Industry Panel will provide an honest assessment of the industry, featuring experts from Federvini (the Italian Federation of Industrial Producers, Exporters and Importers), Whole Foods, NielsenIQ, and VinePair’s CEO, Adam Teeter, among others. Pairing thoughtful analysis with personal experience, panel experts aim to empower attendees to shape the future of Italian wine and spirits in America.
“Salute!” to Vinitaly.USA
The inaugural Vinitaly.USA is set to be an exciting celebration of wine culture, connecting buyers with producers to discover the stories behind exceptional bottles, and ultimately bringing them to American consumers craving a taste of Italy. For more information about Vinitaly.USA and to buy tickets, visit VinitalyUSA.com.
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This article is sponsored by Vinitaly.USA.
