Anticipation is growing for the imminent debut of FINE #WineTourism Marketplace Italy, the first trade show in Italy entirely dedicated to wine tourism. Organized by Riva del Garda Fierecongressi in collaboration with Feria de Valladolid, the trade show will open its doors on October 28th and 29th at the Riva del Garda Exhibition Center, promising to become a hub for industry professionals and enthusiasts.
Just over a month before the event, FINE Italy demonstrates it has identified a concrete need in the sector and confirms its position as a national reference point for the wine tourism sector. Over 70 wine tourism companies and destinations will be present in Riva del Garda, demonstrating how the sector is profoundly questioning its need for growth and evolution, at a particularly challenging time for businesses.
From Veneto to Sicily, from Trentino to Piedmont, from Tuscany to Campania, and all the way to Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the Italian wine world will gather for two days of intense work, including talks, sharing of experiences and best practices, and, above all, plenty of networking between Italian and international operators, showcasing the breadth of a sector increasingly focused on considering wine tourism as an exciting business development opportunity.
“The participation of Italian wine tourism has far exceeded initial expectations and represents a concrete sign of the growing entrepreneurial maturity of the sector and the desire to strengthen a quality-oriented wine tourism hospitality model,” stated Alessandra Albarelli, General Director of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi. “The participation of the country’s major wine-producing regions confirms the relevance and representativeness of this first edition.”
Spain will also be present at the first edition of FINE Italy with a highly attractive wine tourism program
Spain will also be present at the first edition of FINE Italy with an attractive wine tourism program featuring local regions and wineries, allowing professionals to explore the diversity and richness of Spanish wine tourism. Turespaña, the public body responsible for promoting tourism worldwide, will showcase the many options wine tourism offers travelers year-round. The region of Castile and León will also play a leading role with its nine wine itineraries and the participation of the regional government through the Department of Culture, Tourism, and Sport. Another Spanish institution committed to FINE Italy is the Diputación de Valladolid, with the “Golden Mile of Wine” initiative, a tour of the famous Ribera del Duero, home to emblematic wineries.
Visitors will also be able to discover the wine tourism offerings of two other highly significant regions: Catalonia and the Basque Country. These two models enrich the range of options for wine tourists with various proposals that include experiences related to nature, gastronomy, and art. The wineries that have confirmed their participation in this first edition are also working along the same lines: Abadía Retuerta Le Domaine, Dehesa de los Canónigos, and Bodegas Valdubón, all located in the province of Valladolid.
“The collaboration with Feria de Valladolid has represented an important organizational and strategic accelerator,” stated Roberto Pellegrini, President of Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, “and demonstrates a working method that fully integrates with our vision of strengthening internationalization processes and developing increasingly innovative projects. It’s a path for which I am very satisfied.”
The presence of companies and destinations extends beyond Italy’s borders, as do professional buyers representing international tour operators, travel agencies, and destination management companies from Europe, the United States, Central and South America.
FINE #WineTourism Marketplace Italy: an innovative format
FINE Italy presents an innovative format, with exhibition spaces where wineries and tourism destinations can present themselves organically, and large areas dedicated to B2B networking to foster direct contact between supply and demand and the development of new business opportunities. The events calendar is also packed: the BE FINE Stage will host eight conferences and conventions—from the opening session to roundtables and international keynotes—designed to provide industry professionals with concrete and up-to-date tools, with insights into trends, business models, and new perspectives in wine tourism.
Among the authoritative voices who will enrich the conference program, Roberta Garibaldi, professor of Tourism Management at the University of Bergamo and President of the Italian Association of Food and Wine Tourism, stands out. Resulting from a collaboration with Riva del Garda Fierecongressi, the expert will present an exclusive study conducted with SRM Intesa San Paolo, aimed at analyzing in depth a constantly growing phenomenon and a source of interesting developments for wineries. This investigation, based on a survey conducted directly with wineries, promises to offer unprecedented data and insights.
The program continues with internationally renowned speakers. The afternoon of October 28th will open with a keynote by Paul Wagner, McPherson Distinguished Teacher at Napa Valley College, who will deliver the session “The Cardinal Sins of Wine Tourism—and How to Atone for Them.” Following this, a roundtable discussion moderated by journalist Giambattista Marchetto will explore the “Geographies of International Wine Tourism,” exploring the models, challenges, and opportunities of wine tourism globally. This dialogue will span continents and regions, with the participation of experts such as Isabel Kottmann, Lecturer for International Wine Business; Paolo Pozzi, Chief Operating Officer of Trentino Marketing; Enrique Valero, CEO of Abadia Retuerta; and Paul Wagner himself.
October 29th will be dedicated, among others, to an in-depth look at the role of Italian excellence, with an event curated by Movimento Turismo del Vino. Violante Gardini Cinelli Colombini, President of MTV Italia; Nicoletta Pala, Export and Hospitality Manager of Audarya; and Caterina Turrini, Wine Hospitality Manager of Tommasi Family Estate, will illustrate how regional differences and winery specificities are valued within the network.
