The major international trade fairs are under more pressure than ever to justify their exhibitors' high investments and meet their demands. Italy's wine producers have a special relationship with 'their' fair, which is only partially true for Vinitaly. Despite the eternal points of criticism (prices, traffic jams), they would hardly abandon their historic in-house trade fair. Vinitaly is a must for most of them.
As a consequence, the general decline in exhibitors at major trade fairs hardly seems to affect Vinitaly at all. This year, 4,000 exhibitors will be there. The trade fair company Veronafiere once again speaks of a "sold-out" house.
Last year, a total of 93,000 people visited Vinitaly, and a similar number is expected in 2024.
A guest of the European Parliament
Vinitaly reaches far beyond Verona. In the last six months, the largest promotional apparatus for Italian wines has covered 44,000 kilometers around the globe to present Italian wine at 18 events. That's five more events than in the run-up to the 2023 edition of Vinitaly. The last stop was Brussels. The fair management presented the 56th Vinitaly in the European Parliament on March 20, 2024, instead of at home in Rome as usual.
Internationality
Vinitaly achieves internationality primarily through the trade visitors who have traveled to the fair, not through the one hall for foreign manufacturers.
A team of scouts from Vinitaly, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), embassies and international chambers of commerce have invited 1,200 top buyers from 65 countries, 200 more than last year.
In addition, there should be around 30,000 international traders who are paying for their trip themselves.
New hall plan
Two themed areas have moved this year.
Organic Wines in Hall C
The always highly frequented 'Organic Hall', which brings together the certified exhibitors of Vinitaly Bio and the natural winegrowers' association Vi.Te, is this year at the other end of the 100,000 square meters of exhibition space in Hall C, opposite Palaexpo and close to the main San Zeno entrance.
Along with the Organic World, the "Micro Mega Wines" (Micro Size - Mega Quality) have moved from Hall F to Hall C. The MMW exhibition area focuses on niche productions according to the motto piccolo è bello (small is beautiful).
Design focus in Hall F
Hall F is now entirely dedicated to design. The Vinitaly International Packaging Competition was renamed the Vinitaly Design Award in 2024. The new name goes hand in hand with an expansion: For the first time, PR agencies and designers can compete for prizes in 15 categories alongside producers.
Tasting highlights
In the official area, Vinitaly is offering over 80 tastings, in addition to countless offers from individual winegrowers and consortia.
The range of tastings can be found HERE. It is continuously updated. Below are a few highlights:
- Those who have time for education should sign up for the tasting "Italian History and Myth in a Wine Glass", which will be held by the fascinating storyteller and viticulture professor Attilio Scienza on April 14 at 12:30 (Palaexpo Wine2digital, Sala VIA).
- The comparative tasting of Italian and Bordeaux white wines will be exciting and instructive. "Vineyard Visions: Bordeaux Blancs vs. Italian Whites" will be led by Italy's second Master of Wine Andrea Lonardi on April 14 at 1 p.m. (Wine2digital, Main Stage).
- The state of the art of the four big Bs (Barbaresco, Barolo, Brunello, Bolgheri) will be discussed by wine author Ian d'Agata on April 16 at 11 a.m. in the Sala Argento at Palaexpo.
"TASTING EX...PRESS: Wine without alcohol – chances & tastes"
This year, Meininger's International and WEINWIRTSCHAFT are enriching the Vinitaly tasting program with the much-discussed wine topic. Anja Zimmer, editor-in-chief of Meininger's International and Clemens Gerke, editor-in-chief of WEINWIRTSCHAFT will present eight dealcoholized wines from Italy and other countries. The selection consists of wines that have won MUNDUS VINI alcohol-free awards.
Date: Monday, April 15, 2024, at 3 p.m. in Sala A on the 1st floor of Hall 10
Admission: €20. Click HERE to register.
Made in Italy
After the Uffizi Gallery in Florence lent the two important Bacchus paintings by Guido Reni and the Caravaggio to Vinitaly in 2023, this year the Lungarotti Foundation Wine Museum in Torgiano will be supplying exhibits.
April 15, Vinitaly Monday, is the newly created "National Day of Made in Italy", to which the Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida, has invited his colleagues from the OIV countries. There is also an agreement with Italy's film production company Cinecittà, which will show films featuring Italy's food and wine culture.
And maybe, even a carriage from the new Orient Express, which crosses the Belpaese under the title La Dolce Vita, will be exhibited at the fairgrounds.
Vinitaly in the City
The colorful off-fair program will take place from 12 to 15 April. Tickets cost €18 online and €20 on site, and there will be a huge wine party in the city with music, theater, readings and special guided tours. One of this year's curiosities is a special performance by the Cesarine. They are the oldest association of Italian housewife cooks and will be sharing their culinary knowledge with Verona. Further information can be found HERE.
The most important information for your visit to the fair.
Date:
April 14 to 17, 2024
Opening hours:
- Sunday to Tuesday from 9.30 a.m. until 6.00 p.m., admission until 5.00 p.m.
- Wednesday this time half an hour longer until 4.30 p.m., admission until 3.00 p.m.
Two entrances on the main street "Viale del Lavoro" and a side entrance "Re Teodorico", adjacent to Halls 10 and 12.
Admission:
Tickets can only be purchased online. Click HERE for the tickets.
In case of difficulties with registration, an "emergency call" is available on +39 041 271 90 09, and assistance is also offered via the e-mail address veronafiere@vivaticket.com.
Last year, the daily prices increased by €20 to €120 + €6 booking fee, this year they remain the same. The trade fair ticket costs €260 + €13 booking fee.
Admission from the age of 18, minors will not be admitted even if accompanied by an adult.
Fair address:
C.P. 525
Viale del Lavoro 8
37100 Verona
Tel.: +39/045/829 81 11 and
Fax +39/045/829 82 88
Customer Care:
The "Help-Phone" (+39 045 969 12 20) is available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Internet:
With current supporting program, list of exhibitors, database, travel map and hotel search. Be sure to download the free Vinitaly app.
Arrival by plane:
Valerio Catullo Airport in Verona Villafranca is located ten kilometers from the trade fair. The trade fair company offers free shuttles from the airport to the trade fair from 8.30 a.m. to 8 p.m., but they only run every hour. The shuttle is labeled "Servizio navette gratuito Aeroporto Catullo".
The cab ride takes around ten minutes and costs around €30.
- Further information at www.aeroportoverona.it/en/
- Tel. +39 045 809 56 66 from 6 a.m. to midnight.
Arrival by train:
Verona Porta Nuova train station is three kilometers from the trade fair entrance. A free bus runs every 15 minutes between 8.30 a.m. and 8.30 p.m. on trade fair days. A cab ride costs around €8-10.
Arrival by car:
Take the highway exit Verona-Süd (A4 Milano-Venezia in the direction of Venice). A straight road leads from the ticket booth directly to the entrance to the fair.
The trade fair company recommends taking the alternative exits Verona-Nord or Verona-Est (East) and following the signs to "Fiera" (trade fair). Information on the current traffic situation (in Italian) can be found at www.veronamobile.it
Parking lots:
Parking spaces include an expensive parking lot opposite the exhibition center and three more distant free parking spaces with an free shuttle:
- Ex-Mercato Ortofrutticolo
P 3 Viale del Lavoro - Viale del Commercio, directly opposite the trade fair entrance, open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., €25 per day - Adigeo on Via Cagnoli
open from 7.30 a.m. to 8.00 p.m., shuttle Linea H every 20 minutes - Parcheggio Stadio on Via Frà Giocondo 79
open around the clock, shuttle from 8.30 a.m. every 15 minutes with line C, last shuttle from the trade fair at 8 p.m. - Genovesa, Strada dell Genovesa
open around the clock, shuttle line G from 6.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. every 20 minutes
Further information on visitor parking near the fair can be found HERE.
Campers and coaches:
The P1-Scalo Ferroviario parking lot, which can be reached via the Verona South exit, is suitable for campers and coaches. The "Camping Verona Village" is also available,
Via Forte Tomba 44
Tel.: +39/045/205 06 60
E-mail: info@campingverona.com
Parking on the access roads:
On the access roads Stradone Santa Lucia, Via Golosine, Via Po, Largo don Giovanni Calabria, Via dell'Industria, Via Monfalcone, Via Centro, Via Volturno, Via Scuderlando, Viale dell'Agricoltura, Viale del Lavoro, Via Scopoli and Viale della Fiera you need a parking disk (from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., parking time maximum one hour). If you exceed the specified parking time by more than one hour, you may be towed away.
Shuttle buses:
The various free shuttles, which also run from the city center, are listed HERE.
Further information on how to get here can be found HERE.
Eating at the trade fair:
The current hall plan shows restaurants, self-service outlets and gastronomic islands.
On the second floor between Halls 11 and 12, chefs from the Jeune Restaurateurs d'Europe from various regions will be cooking in the "Self Service d'Autore". You can enjoy uncomplicated and fast food at the Street Food Gourmet Truck in front of Hall 11 and at the Speedy Goloso stand in front of Hall C.
The entire food offer of the fair can be found HERE.
