Tuscany, Veneto, Lombardy, Abruzzo — regions as delightful to say as their wines are to drink. When it comes to Italian wines for American consumers, offering a taste of storied, romantic heritage and a vast range of grape varieties and styles — well, that’s amore! That’s why, after five decades of being held in Verona, Italy, the B2B international wine and spirits trade show, Vinitaly, is debuting its inaugural U.S. edition on Oct. 20–21 at Chicago’s Navy Pier.
This year’s stateside event will host more than 1,000 buyers, offering them a chance to connect with producers as they attend masterclasses and activations from more than 650 Italian wine and spirit brands. We talked to nine buyers and importers who shared why they are attending Vinitaly.USA. Here’s what has them buzzing:
The Italian Connection
Attending a wine and spirits event held in picturesque Italy can be dream-worthy; however, for some buyers, the journey can be a logistical and financial challenge. Therefore, after 56 years in Verona, adding an American trade show just made sense. After all, U.S. buyers have historically led international attendance for the expo, and the U.S. is Italy’s top wine importer. Hosting Vinitaly in Chicago (a strategic choice from organizers due to easy connections throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico) makes the event much more accessible for those who might not have the opportunity to travel abroad easily, says Serena Harkey, wine and spirits director of California-based Vine Hospitality. “It’s a fantastic chance to connect with the
