Amarone Opera Prima: The Unveiling of a Giant – January 31- February 1, 2026
Photo Credits: Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella
The journey begins in the heart of winter with Amarone Opera Prima, the most important event dedicated to the new vintage of Valpolicella’s most prestigious red wine. This sophisticated debut is the “fashion week” of Italian reds, where the prestigious 2021 vintage is officially unveiled. This event is not just a tasting; it is an academic and sensory exploration of the appassimento technique – the unique process of drying grapes on bamboo racks for months to concentrate sugar, tannins, and soul. Beyond the technical masterclasses led by world-class sommeliers, the event often features “Amarone & Art” sessions, allowing guests to sip this powerful, velvet-textured nectar while exploring private palazzos and neoclassical galleries. Amarone Opera Prima is scheduled to take place in Verona on Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February 2026 at the Gallerie Mercatali exhibition centre. For those who miss the official gala, the local bars (osterie) keep the spirit alive with “After-Opera” tastings, where the 2021 vintage is paired with delicious culinary offerings inspired by local traditions, turning cold February nights into a warm celebration of the “King of Italian red wines.”
OperaWine: The Elite Selection – April 11, 2026
As spring breathes life back into the valley, Verona becomes the global epicenter of wine during the second week of April. It starts with the ultra-exclusive OperaWine. Held on the eve of Vinitaly, this event is a prestigious collaboration with Wine Spectator that brings together Italy’s 150 finest producers. Each winery is hand-selected to represent the pinnacle of Italian quality, making it a rare opportunity to taste Italian iconic labels in a single afternoon.
Vinitaly & Vinitaly and the City: The Pulse of Global Wine – Vinitaly April 12–15, 2026 – Vinitaly and the City April 10-12, 2026
Photo Credits: Verona Fiere S.p.A.
OperaWine serves as the grand overture to Vinitaly (April 12-15), the world’s largest wine trade fair. While over 4,000 exhibitors gather at the exhibition center for high-stakes business, the city center transforms into Vinitaly and the City (April 10-12). Here, Verona’s squares like Piazza dei Signori become open-air lounges where visitors can explore art installations and sample rare labels under the shadow of the Lamberti Tower. Expect high-level masterclasses, literary talks, and live music. It is a rare moment where the world’s finest labels are accessible in a setting of unparalleled beauty.
Photo Credits: Verona Fiere S.p.A.
Magnalonga della Valpolicella: The Gastronomic Pilgrimage – April 26, 2026
Photo Credits: Associazione Vini Classici della Valpolicella
The energy of April concludes with the Magnalonga della Valpolicella, a legendary 10km gastronomic trek. This is a slow-tourism masterpiece where participants wander through blooming cherry orchards and medieval stone walls. At each stage, a local winery hosts a banquet: you might start with local salami, cheese and Valpolicella Classico, move to bigoli pasta paired with a Ripasso, and finish with a sweet Recioto. Local folk musicians play accordions at every stop, creating a joyful connection between the land and the plate.
Cantine Aperte (Open Cellars): The Keys to the Kingdom – May 30–31, 2026
This spirit of hospitality continues into late May with Cantine Aperte (Open Cellars). During this nationwide “Open Cellars” weekend, prestigious estates open their private aging rooms for intimate workshops and “barrel tasting” and tours of ancient underground caves. This is the best time to hear the personal stories of the families who have shaped the region’s wine history.
Palio del Chiaretto: Pink Vibes by the Lake – June 5-7, 2026
Photo Credits: Fondazione Bardolino Top
As summer arrives, the focus shifts to the shimmering waters of Lake Garda. The Palio del Chiaretto paints the town of Bardolino in shades of pink, celebrating the region’s premier Rosé. The lakefront promenade is lined with tasting stations where you can learn about the “tears” method used to extract just a hint of color from the Corvina grapes.
Festa del Nodo d’Amore (Festival of the Love Knot) – (on the third Tuesday of June)
Photo Credits: Associazione Ristoratori Valeggio sul Mincio
Every year, on the third Tuesday of June, the Festa del Nodo d’Amore (Festival of the Love Knot) is celebrated on the Visconti Bridge in Valeggio sul Mincio. This eagerly awaited event attracts more than 3,500 guests from all over the world, who sit at a table over 1 km long, enjoying an irresistible mix of atmosphere and good food and wine. The event is a sensory tribute to the Custoza DOC and Lugana DOC, where the vibrant acidity of these whites perfectly balances the richness of the legendary “Love Knot” tortellini.
Calici di Stelle: The Moonlight Tasting Gala – (around August 10)
Photo Credits: Calici di Stelle
As the summer heat mellows into the magic of August, the province celebrates Calici di Stelle. This enchanting event transforms medieval borghi, panoramic villas, and vineyard terraces into open-air observatories. This enchanting event transforms medieval borghi, panoramic villa gardens, and vineyard terraces into open-air observatories. Traditionally held around the night of San Lorenzo – the peak of the Perseid meteor shower – it offers a romantic side of wine tourism that spans the entire Veronese landscape.The experience is a true sensory tribute to the province’s diversity. Depending on where you stand, the “stars” in your glass change:
- On the Lake Garda shores, you’ll sip chilled Bardolino Chiaretto, the perfect rosé for a summer breeze.
- In the Valpolicella hills, the focus shifts to elegant Valpolicella Superiore or the refreshing, lighter styles of local reds.
- In the Soave and Custoza regions, the night is dedicated to the mineral complexity of these world-class whites.
- In the Lessini Mountains, the sharp energy of Durello sparkling wine provides the festive “bubbles” for the evening.
Often accompanied by live jazz or classical performances, these starlit tastings offer a unique pairing where the beauty of the cosmos meets the full spectrum of Veronese viticulture.
Hostaria Verona – October 16–18, 2026
Photo Credits: Hostaria Verona
The oenological year reaches its grand finale in mid-October with Hostaria Verona. As the autumn harvest concludes, a three-kilometer tasting route winds through the city’s Roman alleys and luxury shopping streets. The culinary landscape of the festival is designed to be as diverse as the wine selection. Within the various “Gourmet Areas” and the “Cittadella della Gastronomia,” visitors can discover a curated selection of traditional Veronese delicacies. The focus is on high-quality, local ingredients: from artisanal cheeses produced in the nearby mountains to savory specialties that reflect the rich agricultural heritage of the plains. This festival captures the inclusive spirit of Verona: whether you are tasting a structured Ripasso near Juliet’s House or a fresh Custoza in Piazza Bra, Hostaria invites you to toast to the heritage and the hospitality that make Verona the true capital of Italian wine.
The 2026 wine calendar reaffirms Verona’s standing as a premier global destination for viticultural excellence. We look forward to welcoming you to our vineyards and historic cellars for a year of unforgettable tastings and cultural discovery!