# Italian wine and agri‑food festivals 2026 > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20260618-italian-regional-wine-festivals-2026 > Updated: 2026-08-15T17:11:36.000Z. Sources: 82. Developments: 12. The 2026 season of Italian wine and agri-food festivals featured various regional events, including the Merano Wine Festival in Calabria, the Merate DiVino fair in Lombardy, and a major Vinitaly expansion into Canada. In Calabria, the Vinitaly programme expanded through multiple editions. Following a Sibari event in July, which Regional Agriculture Assessor Gianluca Gallo noted had record participation, the ‘Vinitaly and the City’ initiative debuted in Reggio Calabria on 8–9 August. Organized through a partnership between the Calabria Region, Veronafiere, and the city, the event utilized locations such as the Lungomare Falcomatà and the National Archaeological Museum. The inaugural edition featured 83 wine and spirits companies and eight collectives, drawing approximately 60,000 attendees and hosting around 50,000 tastings. Activities included masterclasses, cooking shows, and an ‘Oil Bar’ dedicated to olive oil. Fulvia Caligiuri, General Director of Arsac, stated the sold-out event demonstrated Calabria’s capacity to innovate and attract international visitors. A featured discussion titled ‘Youth and Innovation: The Work that Changes’ involved Italy's Minister of Labour and Social Policies, Marina Calderone, addressing the intersection of training and the labor market. Calderone noted positive employment trends for youth and women in the region. Regional President Roberto Occhiuto and Mayor Francesco Cannizzaro highlighted the event's capacity to drive economic development and international visibility, with Cannizzaro expressing interest in hosting future editions to integrate the city into international event circuits. Following the success of the Reggio Calabria event, regional efforts have expanded to include press tours showcasing Calabria’s diverse landscapes, from the coastal areas of Scalea and San Nicola Arcella—noted for Italy’s first solar-powered passenger vessel—to the Pollino and Sila regions. Additionally, a collaboration between media and G.R.A.S.P.O. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-15: Calabria promotes regional excellence through wine and tourism Calabria is promoting its regional identity through the successful Vinitaly and the City event in Reggio Calabria, tourism tours highlighting sustainable travel, and efforts to preserve rare Italian grape vari- 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michela-borgia-to-perform-mina-tribute-in-moena ### 2026-08-08: Vinitaly and the City debuts in Reggio Calabria The inaugural 'Vinitaly and the City' event in Reggio Calabria celebrated Calabrian wine and food, featuring ministerial talks on employment and performances by various musical artists. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vinitaly-brings-major-wine-festival-to-reggio-calabria ### 2026-08-01: Italian wine festivals launch in Reggio Calabria and Magliano this August Vinitaly and the City opens in Reggio Calabria on 8‑9 August, while Vinellando celebrates its 25th anniversary in Magliano on 21‑22 August, both highlighting regional wines and cultural attractions. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-wine-festivals-launch-in-reggio-calabria-and-magliano-this-august ### 2026-07-19: Calabria promotes regional products at Vinitaly & City 2026 in Sibari Calabria's UNPLI and Pro Loco showcased regional identity at Vinitaly & City 2026 in Sibari, while the GAL of Sibaritide led a three‑day Rural Hub Calabria event promoting agro‑food products and rural growth. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/calabria-promotes-regional-products-at-vinitaly-city-2026-in-sibari ### 2026-07-17: Vinitaly and the City launches in Sibari, Calabria Vinitaly and the City’s third edition ran 17‑19 July 2026 in Sibari’s archaeological park, featuring Pinot Grigio DOC, the GAL Rural Hub Calabria project and ministers Lollobrigida and Giuli. The event will go 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pinot-grigio-doc-delle-venezie-debuts-at-vinitaly-and-the-city-sibari ### 2026-07-16: Rai Radio 2 broadcasts live from Sibari for Vinitaly 2026 Rai Radio 2 will broadcast live from Sibari, Calabria, during Vinitaly 2026 (July 17‑19), featuring Fabio Rovazzi, DJ Effe and Valerio Lundini, to promote the region. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rai-radio-2-broadcasts-live-from-sibari-for-vinitaly-2026 ### 2026-07-11: Chiaravalle Centrale to Host “Calabria a Km 0” Agriculture Festival Chiaravalle Centrale will host the second “Calabria a Km 0” agriculture festival on 7‑8 Aug 2026, offering free stalls for local producers, concerts and talks to boost short‑supply‑chain foods. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/calabria-hosts-agricultural-festivals-in-august-2026-featuring-calabria-a-km-0-and-vinitaly-events ### 2026-07-10: Vinitaly and the City Sibari gathers 140+ wineries and international buyers in July 2026 Vinitaly and the City Sibari (July 17‑19 2026) will feature 140+ wineries, 2,000 labels and a business programme with buyers from Europe, the US and Brazil, plus an Ismea forum on wine challenges. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-wine-festivals-in-calabria-and-bologna-attract-international-buyers ### 2026-06-28: Calabria expands Vinitaly events and launches 17th Calici sotto le Stelle wine festival Calabria will host two Vinitaly events in Sibari and Reggio Calabria in August 2026 and launched the 17th Calici sotto le Stelle festival in Cirella, boosting regional wine promotion and tourism. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/calabria-expands-vinitaly-events-and-launches-17th-calici-sotto-le-stelle-wine-festival ### 2026-06-24: Vinitaly launches first‑ever Canadian exhibition, boosting Italian wine exports Vinitaly debuted in Canada (Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal) on 22‑25 June 2026, driving Italian wine imports to C$218.8 M and raising market share to 27 % amid expanded ICE promotion. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vinitaly-and-the-city-adds-sibari-and-reggio-calabria-venues-for-2026 ### 2026-06-18: Merate DiVino festival returns July 4 with local wines and cuisine Merate DiVino returns on 4 July 2026 with nine local wineries, food stalls, a concert and DJ set; tickets €23 (or €25 onsite) and rain may push the event to 18 July. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/merate-divino-festival-returns-july-4-with-local-wines-and-cuisine ### 2026-06-04: Merano Wine Festival launches second edition in Calabria The Merano Wine Festival's second Calabria edition runs June 5‑8 in Melissa, Cirò and Cirò Marina, featuring 150 wineries, international buyers and regional officials promoting Calabrian wine. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/merano-wine-festival-launches-second-edition-in-calabria --- Cite as: Italian wine and agri‑food festivals 2026. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20260618-italian-regional-wine-festivals-2026