Vinitaly’s 2026 international promotion kicks off with Wine South America

Vinitaly’s 2026 international event promotion kicks off again with Wine South America, the leading wine event in Latin America. Now in its sixth edition, the event is scheduled from May 12 to 14, at Fundaparque in Bento Gonçalves, Brazil. Veronafiere’s strategic project combines the South American expertise of its Group company, Milanez&Milaneze, with the know-how of Vinitaly—Verona’s international wine and spirits exhibition—in the Rio Grande do Sul region, which serves as the heart of Brazilian wine production.

The fair features over 5,000 labels from more than 400 companies across 20 nations. Italy is represented by 30 wineries and 300 products from Piedmont, Veneto, Tuscany, Sicily, Campania, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trentino-Alto Adige, Emilia-Romagna, Abruzzo, Umbria, and Marche, all housed within a dedicated Italian pavilion organized by the ITA (Italian Trade Agency). Regarding the broader international presence, the event sees the debut of countries like New Zealand and Germany, along with the highly anticipated return of South Africa.

Consumption trends continue to strengthen in Brazil, particularly for white wines, sparkling wines, and alcohol-free labels. According to the Uiv-Vinitaly Observatory, the global Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) stood near 4% from 2019 to 2025, with volumes increasing from 159.6 to 165.1 million liters between 2024 and 2025; a CAGR of +3% is expected through 2029. Import prospects are even more positive for sparkling wines, a relatively underdeveloped category that is projected to see a +4% increase in South America during this period.

“Wine South America 2026 confirms its status as a platform for the internationalization of Italian wine and beyond, within a market that now, thanks to the Partnership Agreement, possesses the conditions to express its full high-growth potential,” comments Romano Artoni, Vice President of Veronafiere. “The event is consolidating its international appeal by capturing the interest of an increasing number of ‘Made in Italy’ companies and countries from every corner of the globe. In this context, Vinitaly is strengthening its operational presence to support businesses in seizing development opportunities in the region.”

Seven thousand buyers are expected at the exhibition, which serves as a strategic hub for expansion across the South American continent and a vital connection point between international supply and qualified local demand.