Rome's Vinòforum 8 - 14 September 2025: Press Conference Highlights

Posted by Rowena Dumlao Rowena Dumlao - Giardina 3/21/2025

Rome's Vinòforum 8 - 14 September 2025: Press Conference Highlights

Rome, Campidoglio – The historic Protomoteca Hall of the Capitoline Museums set the stage for the much-anticipated press conference announcing the twenty-second edition of Vinòforum, scheduled to take place from September 8 to 14, 2025, at the prestigious Piazza di Siena, Villa Borghese. The event also marked the unveiling of a two-year program dedicated to cementing Rome’s status as the capital of wine and gastronomy.

From left: Alessandro Scorsone, Michelangelo Bruno Bossio, Rossella Macchia, Elia Del Pizzo, Antonio Spazzafumo, Emiliano De Venuti, Sabrina Alfonsi, Massimiliano Raffa, Francesco Guercilena

A Premium Edition in Piazza di Siena

The biggest revelation came from Emiliano De Venuti, CEO of Vinòforum, who highlighted the strategic decisions behind this new chapter.“We are introducing new elements that enhance the event’s structure without altering its essence,” De Venuti stated. “Choosing September as our main event month is a deliberate decision, coinciding with the harvest season—a time when wine fully expresses its identity. The setting of Piazza di Siena will provide an extraordinary backdrop for this unparalleled Premium Edition.”

De Venuti also emphasized the broader impact of the 2025/2026 program, which aims to strengthen collaborations with institutions, trade organizations, and key players in the agri-food sector.“This biennial plan enables us to further develop partnerships that support Italian wine and food businesses while crafting content tailored to industry professionals, trade media, and enthusiasts. Vinòforum has always been more than a business platform—it has been a driver of responsible wine consumption, a topic that remains highly relevant, especially given the European Union’s recent regulatory initiatives aimed at reducing harmful alcohol consumption.”

From left: Alessandro Scorsone, Michelangelo Bruno Bossio, Emiliano De Venuti, Sabrina Alfonsi, Massimiliano Raffa, Elia Del Pizzo, Francesco Guercilen

Lazio’s Role in the Future of Italian Wine

Massimiliano Raffa, Extraordinary Commissioner of Arsial (Lazio’s Regional Agency for Agricultural Development and Innovation), underscored Lazio’s increasing prominence in the wine sector.“Lazio is home to exceptional wines and an enological heritage of absolute value. The culture of wine here is deeply rooted, dynamic, and forward-looking. Events like Vinòforum are strategic opportunities for our regional producers to establish themselves in an increasingly competitive market, reinforcing our identity as a major player in the Italian wine industry,” Raffa noted.

He further stressed the importance of Rome as a global stage, attracting buyers, industry professionals, and an international audience.“Too often, our homegrown wines do not receive the recognition they deserve. As Arsial, we are committed to transforming this opportunity into tangible growth, ensuring Lazio’s presence in key wine circuits. Every bottle of wine tells the story of its territory—and our story deserves to be told, appreciated, and chosen.”

Industry Leaders Weigh In

The press conference also featured insights from several prominent figures in the wine and food industry:

Michelangelo Bruno Bossio, Head of Agricultural and Agri-Food Enhancement Activities at ARSAC – Calabria Region, emphasized that Vinòforum serves as a critical promotional platform for all wine-producing regions in Italy. Francesco Guercilena, President of AIS Lazio and a key Vinòforum partner, highlighted the importance of education and training in the wine sector, a core element of the event’s programming.

Elia Del Pizzo, Head of UNAPROL Projects (Italian Olive Consortium), discussed the intersection between wine and olive oil production, emphasizing their complementary roles in Italian gastronomy. Alessandro Scorsone, one of Italy’s most esteemed sommeliers, shared his long-standing connection with Vinòforum, underlining its role in promoting excellence and innovation in Italian wine culture.

The session was moderated by Stefano Carboni, a renowned food and wine communicator and professor at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. Notable attendees also included Antonio Spazzafumo, Mayor of San Benedetto del Tronto, and Rossella Macchia, President of the Consortium for the Protection of Vini Roma DOC.

Institutional Support and Future Plans

The conference’s closing remarks were delivered by Sabrina Alfonsi, Councilor for Agriculture, Environment, and Waste Cycle for Rome Capital, who also represented Mayor Roberto Gualtieri. “Vinòforum has always provided a platform for dialogue and policymaking in the food and wine sector. In just a few days, Rome will be officially named the City of Cheese 2025, and we will continue to prioritize initiatives such as urban vineyards, which reconnect Rome to its historical role in global viticulture,” Alfonsi stated.

She also announced an upcoming milestone, “Last October, we received the award for the Best European Public Project for Cultural Promotion of Wine and Vineyards. In May, we will inaugurate the first vineyard in the Park of San Sisto. Vinòforum will be an opportunity to expand and showcase all these initiatives.”

A Packed Calendar: Vinòforum 2025 and Beyond

The 2025 season will kick off with Vinòforum Class, a trade-exclusive event scheduled for June 9 at the Terrazza Caffarelli, an occasion designed for business networking and industry partnerships, bringing together 300 top buyers from the region. After the summer, the flagship Vinòforum event will take place from September 8 to 14 in Piazza di Siena, Villa Borghese, marking a bold step forward in the evolution of the event.

Looking ahead to February 2026, a new edition of Vinòforum Class will further build momentum for the next major edition in September 2026 at Circo Massimo. The choice of Circo Massimo is a strategic one, given its success in the 2024 edition, which attracted 80,000 visitors, 19,650 industry professionals, 800 companies, and 75 chefs and master pizza makers.“These numbers confirm the strategic importance of Vinòforum—not only as a showcase of Italian excellence but also as a key driver in promoting Rome’s tourism and gastronomic offerings,” De Venuti concluded.

With an ambitious two-year roadmap, Vinòforum 2025/2026 promises to be a defining chapter in the evolution of Italian wine events, solidifying Rome’s role as a global epicenter of enogastronomic excellence.