SCHEDULE

VINITALY.USA 2025

Disclaimer: The schedule is currently under development and may be subject to change. Updates will be provided in a timely manner.

October 5th

Women in Wine & Spirits

8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. RPM Events, 317 N Clark St, Chicago

Women in Wine & Spirits Event

Now in its third year, this event brings together top women across the industry, this year in the form of a breakfast, roundtable, tasting and open networking, all in a celebratory and collaborative setting.

Please note that this event is Invite-Only; for questions, please email: Buyers@VinitalyUSA.com

Opening Remarks:

  1. Molly Matelski, Director of Buyer Relations, Programming and Partnerships, Fiere Italiane

  2. Erica Di Giovancarlo, Director, Italian Trade Agency

  3. Silvia Raffa, Managing Director, Italian American Chamber of Commerce Midwest

Roundtable Moderated by: Valeria Robecco, Journalist, Il Giornale; President, United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA)

Panelists:

  1. Nadia Zenato, Owner, Zenato and Sansonina

  2. Lauren Buzzeo, Founder, Editor & Publisher, Full Pour Magazine

  3. Cindy Leonard, Executive Vice President, General Manager - Fine Wine, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

  4. Michelle Durpetti, Owner, Gene & Georgetti’s and Michelle Durpetti Events

Featured women producers:

  1. Nadia Zenato: Zenato Sparkling Lugana Brut, Zenato Ripassa Superiore; Zenato Academy feature

  2. Francesca Paladin, Export Manager: Bosco del Merlo Pinot Grigio Rosé and Prosecco Rosé, part of their "Life in Rosé" Campaign for Women

  3. Marina Cvetic, Masciarelli: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC Riserva San Martino Rosso and Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOC Riserva

Beyond Sweet: The Spectrum of Asti DOCG

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Think you know Moscato? Think again. This masterclass with the Consorzio dell’Asti DOCG showcases the full range of styles from one of Italy’s most iconic sparkling wine regions — from the fresh and fragrant charm of classic Moscato d’Asti to crisp Asti Secco, structured Extra Brut, organic and old-vine expressions, and even a rich Passito.

Explore how Asti DOCG is redefining itself for today’s market, offering surprising versatility across sweetness levels, formats, and occasions — all from a single grape.

  • Terrabianca - Moscato d'Asti "d'Oro" 2024

  • Tenuta Langasco - Moscato d'Asti 2024

  • La Torre - Asti Sparkling Secco

  • Matteo Soria - Asti Sparkling Extra Brut

  • Cadgal - Moscato d'Asti "Vigna Vecchia" 2020

  • Tre Secoli - Asti Sparkling BIO

  • Scagliola Vini - Moscato d’Asti 2024 “Volo di Farfalle” 2024

  • Marenco - Strevi Doc “Passrì” Passito

Elevated Expression: The Heights of Friuli’s Whites

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Led by Jim Bube, MS, National Wine Director, Hogsalt

In the Collio hills of Friuli, where rolling ridges catch both Alpine breezes and Adriatic light, vines cling to slopes carved from ancient ponca soils. These borderland vineyards give rise to whites that carry the freshness of the mountains and the ease of the sea. This masterclass explores how elevation and place can transform even familiar grapes into something delightfully unexpected.

  • Sturm Sauvignon DOC Collio 2024

  • Tenuta Stella Malvasia DOC Collio 2023

  • Agricola Francesco Rotolo - Confinis Pinot Grigio DOC Collio 2024

  • Paraschos Sauvignon DOC Collio 2022

  • Fondazione Villa Russiz Pinot Grigio DOC Collio 2024

  • Ermacora Friulano DOC Friuli Colli Orientali 2024

  • Aquila del Torre Friulano DOC Friuli Colli Orientali 2022

  • Il Roncal Sauvignon DOC Friuli Colli Orientali 2024

Opening Ceremony

11.30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Roots Run Deep: The Native Soul of Friuli

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Led by Richard Hanauer, Partner & Wine Director, Lettuce Enteratain You Enterprises

In Friuli, time moves slowly and traditions run deep. These vineyards are home to the region’s rare native reds and expressive whites — wines shaped by generations who have tended the same soils for centuries. This tasting dives into Friuli’s native soul, spotlighting bold reds like Schioppettino, Refosco, and Tazzelenghe alongside rich, characterful whites. Steeped in history yet full of life, these wines carry the stories of the families and land that made Friuli what it is. The class closes with a wildcard blend of both native and international grapes, reminding us how wide and varied Friuli’s soul has always been.

  • Bucovaz Friulano DOC Friuli 2024

  • Obiz Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso DOC Friuli 2022

  • Conte d'Attimis-Maniago Tazzelenghe DOC Friuli Colli Orientali 2021

  • Angoris Schioppettino DOC Friuli Colli Orientali

  • Petrussa Azienda Agricola di Petrussa Gianni e Paolo Schioppettino DOC Friuli Colli Orientali 2022

  • Villa Rubini Schioppettino DOC Friuli Colli Orientali 2022

  • Gori Agricola Friulano DOC Friuli Colli Orientali 2024

  • Ca Modeano Ribolla Gialla IGT Venezia Giulia 2024

  • Azienda Agricola Livon Uvaggio Bianco IGT Venezia Giulia 2022

Tasting in Tune

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Language of Wine and Music: Featuring Sardegna

An interactive Masterclass led by Serafin Alvarado, MS

Join Master Sommelier, Serafin Alvarado, for a one-of-a-kind tasting experience where the worlds of wine and music harmonize. Serafin reveals how balance, structure, and tone connect these two expressive art forms.

Experience the bold rhythm of Cannonau, the bright lyricism of its Rosé, the earthy cadence of Cagnulari, and the soulful depth of Carignano del Sulcis—each Sardinian wine a new movement in this multisensory symphony.

  • Cantina Castiadas – Saeprus Metodo Classico Brut – Cannonau – Sardegna DOC

  • Tenute Perda Rubia – Perda Rubia – Cannonau di Sardegna DOC 2021

  • Società Agricola Tani – Vilù Rosé di Cannonau – Cannonau di Sardegna DOC

  • Nuraghe Crabioni – Sussinku – Cagnulari – Romangia IGT

  • Cantina Fradiles – Fradiles – Mandrolisai DOC

  • Cantina Sociale del Mandrolisai – Kent’Annos – Mandrolisai DOC Superiore

  • Cantine Su’Entu – Su’ Nico – Bovale Rosso – Marmilla IGT

  • Cantina Santadi – Grotta Rossa – Carignano del Sulcis DOC

Vinitaly Tourism – The value of territory in italian wine tourism

3:45 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Vinitaly Tourism was created to enhance the connection between wine and tourism – two strategic assets for local development. In a context where travelers increasingly seek authentic experiences rooted in local identity, wine tourism stands out as a key driver for a regional promotion and widespread economic growth.

This session offers a space for Italy’s Regions to share their vision and the initiatives developed to enhance the wine-territory connection

Umbria at the Table: From the Floor and Off the Clock

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Led by Derrick Westbrook & Fracisco Joseph

Join Chicago wine pros Derrick Westbrook and Francisco Joseph as they explore the depth, diversity, and food-friendliness of Umbrian wines from two distinct perspectives — how they’d serve them in polished Michelin-level dining rooms and how they enjoy them off the clock. Seated in conversation on stage, they’ll taste through Umbrian wines while pairing them with both refined dishes and casual, pantry-pulled favorites, offering lively insights on the region’s terroir and native grapes along the way. This interactive masterclass reframes Umbria as a region that delivers both the elegance of fine dining and the warmth of everyday hospitality.

Maximizing By-the-Glass Profits with Coravin

5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Michael Meager, MS

Discover how to unlock the full potential of your wine program with Coravin. Join Michael Meagher, MS, for a 30-minute training session at our booth and learn how to use Coravin wine by-the-glass systems to expand both still and sparkling offerings, reduce waste, and boost profitability. Michael will share practical techniques for seamless service, ideas for creative BTG menu development, and tips on how to delight guests while improving the bottom line.

October 6th

NextGen - Panel & Tasting

9:30 a.m - 11:00 a.m.

New Lens, New Leaders: Reframing the Next Chapter for Italian Wine and Spirits

An interactive tasting and conversation with Italy’s next generation of producers, blending tradition and fresh ideas to reveal how wine and spirits connect with today’s world.

Moderated by: Clive Pursehouse, Decanter US Editor

Opening remarks: Marzia Varvaglione, President of AGIVI and CEEV, (Association of Young Italian Wine Entrepreneurs and European Committee of Wine Companies)

Panelists:

  1. Emanuela Flore, Winemaker & General Manager, Botromagno - Gravina Bianco and the Nero di Troia

  2. Nicola Ermacora, Winemaker, Ermacora - Pignolo 2019

  3. Filomena Iacobucci, Co-Owner & Administration and Sales Director, Terre Stregate - Svelato Falanghina del Sannio DOP 2024

  4. Raffaele Gregu, Owner, Tenute Gregu - Pitraia Monogram Vermentino di Gallura DOCG

State of Industry Panel

11:30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.

The Pulse: Data, Trade Voices, and What Comes Next

From Capitol Hill to the sales floor, this session blends data and trade insight to explore how the industry is addressing tariffs, adapting to consumer shifts, and tackling headwinds while identifying paths forward.

Panelists:

  1. Kaleigh Theriault, Director of Beverage Alcohol Thought Leadership, NielsenIQ

  2. Francis Creighton, President, WSWA (Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America)

  3. Chloë Schwartz, Vice President & Deputy Sales Manager, V.O.S. Selections

Maximizing By-the-Glass Profits with Coravin

12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Michael Meager, MS

Discover how to unlock the full potential of your wine program with Coravin. Join Michael Meagher, MS, for a 30-minute training session at our booth and learn how to use Coravin wine by-the-glass systems to expand both still and sparkling offerings, reduce waste, and boost profitability. Michael will share practical techniques for seamless service, ideas for creative BTG menu development, and tips on how to delight guests while improving the bottom line.

Decanter Masterclass

1:00 pm - 2:00 p.m.

Italy’s Finest Wines: The Best in Show winners from DWWA 2025

A Decanter Masterclass led by Michaela Morris, DipWSET IV

Join Michaela Morris—Decanter Judge and Regional Chair for Piedmont at the Decanter World Wine Awards—for an exclusive tasting of Italy’s finest reds, spotlighting the prestigious DWWA 2025 Best in Show winners, an accolade awarded to just 0.3% of wines entered worldwide. With an introduction by Clive Pursehouse, Decanter’s North American Editor, this masterclass offers a rare opportunity to experience six exceptional expressions from Piedmont to Sicily, each representing the pinnacle of Italian winemaking today.

  1. Cantina Terlano, Lunare Gewürztraminer, Alto Adige / Südtirol, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol 2023

  2. Diego Morra, Del Comune Di Verduno, Barolo, Piedmont 2021

  3. Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno, Cannubi, Barolo Riserva, Piedmont 2019

  4. Donnachiara, Taurasi, Campania 2021

  5. Tenuta Meraviglia, Maestro Di Cava, Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany 2020

  6. Donnafugata, Ben Ryé, Passito di Pantelleria, Sicily 2023

Tasting in The Dark

2:15 pm - 3:15 p.m.

Sardegna Beyond Sight, Sparkling, Whites, and a Sweet Finale

Join Dr. Hoby Wedler—blind sensory expert and Obama-recognized Champion of Change—for a tasting experience that removes sight to reveal the soul of Sardegna. Blindfolded, you’ll explore the structure, minerality, and coastal tension of wines like Vermentino and Cannonau, guided by Hoby’s insight into how aroma, texture, and emotion shape how we taste.

Let go of what you see—and discover Sardegna through what you truly sense.

  • Atlantis Vernot Brut Sardegna

  • Tenute Gregu Rías (Sardegna) di Gallura DOCG

  • Cantina delle vigne di Piero Mancini Mancini I o Cucaione (Sardegna) di Gallura DOCG Superiore

  • F.lli Rau di Rau Giovanni Mario & C. S.a.s. Galatea di Sardegna DOC

  • Cantina Santadi Villa Solais di Sardegna DOC

  • Locci Zuddas Mesudie (Sardegna) di Cagliari

  • Cantina Lilliu Mèndula (Sardegna) di Cagliari

  • Ferruccio Deiana Oirad Passito (Sardegna) Isola dei Nuraghi IGT

VinePair Workshop

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Glass Half Full: The Future of Wine in America → A VinePair Workshop for Building What’s Next

Join Adam Teeter and Joanna Sciarrino for a candid conversation exploring the future of wine in the U.S. They’ll unpack shifting consumer tastes, new market pressures, and the cultural and sales opportunities reshaping the industry. Drawing on insights from leading professionals, this session delivers fresh perspectives and actionable approaches to help the wine industry evolve and thrive in the years ahead.

Shared Pour: Where Wine & Spirits Meet

4:30 p.m. - 5:30/6:00 p.m.

A Wine + Spirits Crossover Panel + Tasting

Sommeliers and mixologists operate in the same spaces — but rarely on the same terms. This dynamic panel with opportunities for audience participation brings together top voices in wine and spirits to explore what both worlds can learn from each other. From crafting memorable guest experiences to building personal followings, the discussion reveals how the lines between the bar and the floor are blurring, and how today’s beverage professionals can evolve with them. It’s time to close the gap and start building a more unified beverage culture, together.

Moderated by Henna Bakshi, the panel will blend expert insight with real-world examples, offering tangible ideas for service teams, beverage directors, and hospitality leaders alike.

Facilitator: Henna Bakshi, Southeast Editor, Eater

Panelists:

  1. Serafin Alvarado, MS, Director of Wine Education, SGWS

  2. Daniel de Oliveira, Director of Education and Mixology, SGWS Illinois

  3. Ryan Manna, Freelance Wine Professional; FOH Coordinator at L’Artusi Supper Club

  4. Amy Racine, Beverage Director & Partner, JF Restaurants

Every Corner, A Different Voice: How Place Shapes Friuli’s Whites

5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Led by Laura de Pasquale, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations – Artisanal Wines, SGWS

This masterclass brings Friuli’s contrasts to the table, tasting how the same grapes transform as the land shifts beneath them. Moving from airy mountain tones to generous coastal fruit, these wines capture the region’s layered identity — and celebrate the beauty of its differences.

  • Villa Vitas Traminer aromatico DOC Friuli 2024

  • Pitars Sauvignon DOC Friuli 2024

  • Terre Petrussa Organic Wine Pinot Grigio DOC Friuli Colli Orientali 2023

  • Rodaro Paolo Winery Pinot Grigio DOC Friuli Colli Orientali 2023

  • Cozzarolo Pinot Grigio DOC Friuli Colli Orientali 2024

  • I Feudi di Romans Pinot Grigio DOC Friuli Isonzo 2024

  • Amandum Friulano DOC Friuli Isonzo 2018

  • Talis Wine Ribolla gialla IGT Venezia Giulia 2024

Closing Party

5.00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.