12 Mar Best Wine Stars 2026: Confirmations and New Features for the Seventh Edition of the International Fair Dedicated to Wine, Food, and Spirits
Milan, March 12th, 2026 – From May 16th to 18th, the Palazzo del Ghiaccio in Milan will host the seventh edition of Best Wine Stars, an event conceived and organized by Prodes Italia. This year, it has received recognition as an International Industry Trade Fair by Regione Lombardia, with the patronage of the Municipality of Milan.
The event continues to be a key reference point for the wine and spirits sector, bringing together Italian and international producers, buyers, industry professionals, and specialized press across three days of tastings, meetings, and high-level networking.
TASTING PATHS AND THE NEW BRONZE AREA
In 2026, the exhibition will once again be divided into thematic areas designed to highlight sector excellence and offer visitors a comprehensive tasting experience. These will include: Italian Wine Area, International Wine Area, Organic Wine Area, Spirits Area, and Tasting Area.
Alongside these, the Food Area will host culinary offerings from Enduro Republic Bistrot, born in the village of Grazzano Visconti and founded on a philosophy of sharing and authenticity. Over the three days, it will serve a selection of simple, genuine dishes made with local ingredients, perfectly paired with the tastings.
A new feature of the 2026 edition is the Bronze Area, located on the upper floor of the Palazzo del Ghiaccio: a space dedicated to emerging small businesses and producers from less-represented regions, offered under particularly advantageous conditions and designed to support new and developing ventures.
“With this initiative, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting and promoting promising businesses that are redefining the wine and spirits landscape through targeted and concrete assistance…”
spiega Enzo Carbone, CEO of Prodes Italia
The Bronze Area is already sold out, confirming the strong interest of younger, innovative companies in the sector.
NETWORKING: VILLAGE AREA AND DIGITAL PLATFORM
The Village Area returns, a dedicated space for press, buyers, and industry professionals, designed to facilitate commercial meetings and B2B relationships.
On Monday, May 18th, industry operators will be able to collect a “blind box” tasting kit containing bottles from participating wineries, creating new opportunities for interaction between buyers, journalists, and producers.
Following the success of its first edition in 2025, the official digital platform will be active again from mid-April, enabling meetings, networking, and interactions among exhibitors, buyers, and sector operators before, during, and after the event.
PARTNERSHIPS E COLLABORATIONS 2026
The 2026 edition builds on a well-established network of collaborations. Among the Official Partners, AGIVI and ASSOENOLOGI return, while AssoDistil, the National Association of Alcohol and Spirits Distillers, representing Italy’s leading distilleries and safeguarding the interests of its members for over 80 years, and the Consorzio Nazionale Grappa, officially recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture for the protection and promotion of Grappa with Protected Geographical Indication, join the project for the first time.
Engagement with international markets is further strengthened through the event’s Buyer Partners, including Strive International Consulting Ltd., an international consultancy specializing in export marketing and business development, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hungary, and DANITACOM, all actively involved in creating and expanding global business opportunities and partnerships.
Several top-tier Media Partners also continue their collaboration, including I Grandi Vini, Italia a Tavola, Wine Meridian, DoctorWine, BarTales, Vino News 24, ItalianWineTour, and EventiMilano.it. For the 2026 edition, Wine Tales Magazine also joins the lineup, a leading platform dedicated to the world of wine and its enthusiasts, sharing stories about producers, events, wine culture insights, and travel itineraries through content curated by an expert editorial team.
During the event, different media partners will be present with dedicated desks, hosting interviews, meetings, and networking opportunities with journalists and exhibitors.
The event’s reach will be further amplified by a creators’ community composed of Simona Geri (@simonagsommelier), Fabio Gobbi (@fabioelavigna) and Adriano Amoretti (@cantinasocial) who will support the digital dissemination of content, enhancing visibility and engagement among wine enthusiasts and industry professionals.
MASTERCLASS, TASTING ROOMS AND TALKS
Alongside walk-around tastings, Best Wine Stars 2026 will host around 12 masterclasses, talks, and tasting rooms, exploring key sector trends:
- We Have Changed | Have Times Changed or Are We Out of Time.
- Journey Through Italy | The Wines That Surround Us
- Alcohol-Free | Not for Comparison, but for Knowledge
- Small Businesses, Big Projects | Italy’s Hidden Gems Tell Their Story
Masterclasses will offer the opportunity to learn about numerous producers, their history and philosophy, and taste their most representative labels.
Confirmed participants include Cantina Sociale Barbera dei Sei Castelli, Consorzio Tutela Vino Custoza DOC, Cantina Sociale Luca Gentile Soc. Coop. Agr, Tenuta Il Finale Società Argicola ARL, among others.
The sessions will take place in the captivating Sala Piranesi, providing a unique opportunity for professional development and interaction among producers, buyers, journalists, and wine enthusiasts.
They will be led by Adua Villa, writer, digital storyteller, sommelier, and entrepreneur, joined by leading figures from the industry, including Mattia Asperti, sommelier and founder of the Il Sommelier Divino community, Francesco Quarna, Radio Deejay speaker and winemaker, Valentina Vercelli, journalist for La Cucina Italiana and Slowine, and Stefania Vinciguerra, professional journalist and editor-in-chief of DoctorWine and the Guida Essenziale ai Vini d’Italia.
Two unmissable appointments have been revealed in advance:
- Sunday, May 17th: Tasting Room curated by Fabio Bacchi, Founder of BarTales and the Roma Bar Show, dedicated to spirits.
- Monday, May 18th: the official talk of Italia a Tavola, which will be joining the event’s cultural program for the first time.
The full schedule will be available from mid-April on the official platform of the event: visit.bestwinestars.com
With its well-established format and continuously evolving content, Best Wine Stars 2026 remains a privileged stage for promoting wines and spirits, blending sensory experiences, cultural insights, and high-level professional relationships, all while celebrating both Italian and international excellence.
Applications to participate in Best Wine Stars 2026 are open April 20th, 2026.
For information and registration: info@bestwinestars.com
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COMPANY PROFILE: Best Wine Stars is an initiative of the Prodes Italia group, active for years in the fields of fine jewelry, design, and art. The company is the creator of the long-established annual event Artistar Jewels. With Best Wine Stars, Prodes Italia brings the same uniqueness and style into a new project. In 2019, the company launched the first edition of Milano Jewelry Week, the Milanese Week celebrating the history, tradition, and innovation of the fascinating world of international jewelry.
BEST WINE STARS 2026
Palazzo del Ghiaccio, Milan – May 16 / 17 / 18, 2026
Recognized as an International Industry Trade Fair by Regione Lombardia
OPENING HOURS:
Saturday, May 16th: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM (last entrance at 7:00 PM)
Sunday, May 17th: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM (last entrance at 7:00 PM)
Monday, May 18th: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last entrance at 5:00 PM)
Press Office – Prodes Italia
press@prodesitalia.com | +39 02 365 80 208
Instagram: @bestwinestars
Facebook: Best Wine Stars
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