Official inauguration with ribbon cutting of the 34th edition of Merano WineFestival: a symbolic moment that opens the doors to five days of food and wine excellence, innovation, and meetings among industry leaders.

Tasting journey dedicated to organic, biodynamic, natural, PIWI, orange, amphora, no/low alcohol wines and Underwater Wines: an immersive experience among the most innovative and sustainable expressions of contemporary winemaking. Featuring organic, biodynamic, SQNPI, Equalitas, amphora, PIWI, underwater wines, no/low alcohol, Rieslingtage: 300 Italian wineries. Focus KvarnerWines. WineHunter Area: 300 wines + amphora&no/low

Cult Oenologist is the tasting journey dedicated to the 10 best oenologists selected by Helmuth Köcher: a unique opportunity to discover and taste wines born from the talent, vision, and experience of the wineries they work with. | Oenologists: Carlo Ferrini, Donato Lanati, Emiliano Falsini, Franco Bernabei, Giuseppe Caviola, Luca D'Attoma, Nicola Biasi, Riccardo Cotarella, Stefano Chioccioli and Vincenzo Mercurio

Partners and sponsors of excellence, supporting food and wine producers in their growth and innovation. A strategic presence that enhances the combination of technology, service, and quality in the wine world.

Culinaria is the event within Gourmet Arena dedicated to the Food, Spirits & Beer tasting journey: a voyage through gourmet food specialties, refined spirits, and selected craft beers, celebrating taste in all its forms. | Featuring showcooking Campania, Territorium, Consortium. 130 gourmet food - spirits - beer companies

• 11:30: Antonio Tubelli – Historian and chef of Neapolitan cuisine
• 13:30: Tiziano Palatucci and Alberto Toè, Castel Badia Dolomiti – Bolzano
• 15:00: Carlo Scutiero, La Smorfia – Merano

IVES SCIENTIFIC TALKS

• Monica Canton | Interdepartmental Centre for Research in Viticulture and Enology (CIRVE), Università di Padova
  Climate Change Effects on Carbon Allocation and Non-Structural Carbohydrate Dynamics in Grapevines
• Giovanni Luzzini | Università di Verona
  Varietal volatile patterns in young and aged white wines: a case study on eighteen monovarietal Italian wine types
• Rachele Nieri | Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), Università di Trento
  Know your enemy's vibrations: Hacking Scaphoideus titanus communication to limit the spread of flavescence dorée

DIGITAL EVOLUTION IN THE CELLAR

• Riccardo Valletti | Connected Reality
  CR: AI & XR – the future of the virtual store
• Alex Terzariol & Elisabetta Ripamonti | MMDesign
  Data and Design serving precision agriculture

A widespread stage where territories and consortiums from all over Italy take center stage. On the red carpet, along Corso Libertà, talks, tastings and showcooking alternate to tell the authentic soul of Italian food and wine excellence.

• Casa Campania
• Calabria Region
• Abruzzo Region
• Consorzio del Vulture
• Falstaff
• Banca per il Trentino Alto Adige, OFFICIAL SPONSOR
• Radio Italia Anni 60

Casa Campania: Consorzio del Sannio, Consorzio del Vesuvio, VitiCaserta Consorzio, Vitae Salernum Vites

• 10:00: Opening
• 11:30 - 18:00: Tastings of the best wines from the denominations protected by the four consortiums
• 11:30 – 18:00: Meetings that tell the story of Campania's productive diversity
• 11:30 – 17:00: At the table in Campania: food and wine pairings and tastings

10:00 - 18:00: Wine tastings, local products and showcooking.

10:00 - 18:00: Wine tastings, local products and showcooking.

The WineHunter Buyer's Club is an exclusive space dedicated to meetings between producers and industry professionals, designed to foster new business opportunities and qualified networking. A reserved environment where buyers can get to know the selected excellence of Merano WineFestival up close. | 16:30

The space dedicated to journalists, media partners and communication professionals. A reserved and welcoming environment where you can get information, collect materials, conduct interviews and explore the festival's themes.

Speakers: Luciano D'Aponte, Tommaso Luongo, Dante Del Vecchio

Speakers: Elisa Martelli, oenologist and Valter Ferrero, winery consultant

Speaker: Andrea Lonardi, Master of Wine 2023

Speaker: Egle Katunar, Sommelier

Maestri Italiani Award - Ambassadors of Made in Italy

"From vineyard to territory: strategies for quality wine tourism" by Wine Life and Travel Magazine

At 4:30 pm we will announce the winners in the Ohmann Hall of the Kurhaus Merano. We cordially invite you to the awards ceremony for the best Rieslings in Italy and the winners of their respective regions.

Award ceremony for The WineHunter Award 2025: an exclusive event celebrating food and wine excellence through the presentation of Platinum awards, the announcement of the 10 "Cult Oenologist" selected by Helmuth Köcher, the best expressions of Riesling, and the five prestigious Honorary Awards given to personalities who have left their mark in the world of wine and taste.

Opening Gala Dinner of the 34th edition of Merano WineFestival: an exclusive evening celebrating elegance and excellence, during which the WineHunter Stars 2025 will be celebrated, honoring the protagonists who have distinguished themselves in the national and international food and wine scene.

The Festival is the beating heart of Merano WineFestival and includes three main areas: Wine Italia, Wine International and WineHunter Area. A journey through the best national and international wines selected by the tasting commissions, accompanied by the Festival's official wine shop. In the WineHunter Area, a rich selection of labels from all over Italy with a special focus on organic, biodynamic, and low or zero alcohol wines, to tell the evolution of taste and sustainability in the wine world.

• Wine Italia and NextPlatinum – 350 selected Italian wineries (WH Award)
• Wine International – 100+ selected international wineries
• Featuring Territorium Georgia
• WineHunter Area – 300 WH Award-winning wines

Partners and sponsors of excellence, supporting food and wine producers in their growth and innovation. A strategic presence that enhances the combination of technology, service, and quality in the wine world.

Culinaria is the event within Gourmet Arena dedicated to the Food, Spirits & Beer tasting journey: a voyage through gourmet food specialties, refined spirits, and selected craft beers, celebrating taste in all its forms. | Featuring showcooking Campania, Territorium, Consortium. 130 gourmet food - spirits - beer companies

• 11:00: Giorgia Compagnoni, Castel Badia Dolomiti – Bolzano
• 13:30: Nina Gabuldani, Georgian restaurant in Rome Aisi, and Misha Avsajanishvili – Tribute to Georgian cuisine
• 16:00: Carlo Scutiero, La Smorfia – Merano

A widespread stage where territories and consortiums from all over Italy take center stage. On the red carpet, along Corso Libertà, talks, tastings and showcooking alternate to tell the authentic soul of Italian food and wine excellence.

• Casa Campania
• Calabria Region
• Abruzzo Region
• Consorzio del Vulture
• Falstaff
• Banca per il Trentino Alto Adige, OFFICIAL SPONSOR
• Radio Italia Anni 60

Casa Campania: Consorzio del Sannio, Consorzio del Vesuvio, VitiCaserta Consorzio, Vitae Salernum Vites

• 11:30 - 18:00: Tastings of the best wines from the denominations protected by the four consortiums
• 11:30 – 18:00: Meetings that tell the story of Campania's productive diversity
• 11:30 – 17:00: At the table in Campania: food and wine pairings and tastings

10:00 - 18:00: Wine tastings, local products and showcooking.

10:00 - 18:00: Wine tastings, local products and showcooking.

Toast with opening of Château Lascombes 2006 in Impériale format (6 liters) and Large Format Panettone by Flamigni.

Guide "Vini Buoni D'Italia"

FROM ITALY TO THE WORLD | MERANO WINEFESTIVAL TOWARDS THE MARKETS OF THE FUTURE.
Wines, cultures and connections – The WineHunter between Brazil, Canada, China, Georgia and Japan.

34 ceremonial sabrage openings

Wine2Stay: From wine sales to wine experience – A successful model for the future | Susanne Wess, Founder and CEO of Wine2Stay

Press Conference "Malvasia Senza Confini"

The WineHunter Buyer's Club is an exclusive space dedicated to meetings between producers and industry professionals, designed to foster new business opportunities and qualified networking. A reserved environment where buyers can get to know the selected excellence of Merano WineFestival up close. | 18:00

The space dedicated to journalists, media partners and communication professionals. A reserved and welcoming environment where you can get information, collect materials, conduct interviews and explore the festival's themes.

Speakers: Ricardo Cotarelle and Muratori family

Speakers: Josef Romen, Oenologist of Kettmeir and President of the Ass. Sudtiroler Sekt - Spumantisti Alto Adige and Alberto Ugolini, Brand Ambassador and Wine Education Manager of Herita Wines

Speakers: Daniele Galler, Sales Manager and Andrea Radic, journalist

Speakers: WH Ambassador Georgia - Tamar Tchitchiboshvili and Olga Schiaffino, Best Sommelier of Liguria 2019 and author of "I vini del cuore"

Speaker: Mauro Giacomo Bertolli, wine journalist

Speaker: Othmar Doná, oenologist

Speaker: Francesco Saverio Russo, Wine Communicator

Speaker: Maurizio Pandolfi, Brand Ambassador and Sensi in movimento Founder

Speakers: Helmuth Koecher - The Wine Hunter, Massimo Barducci - CEO Italesse, Paolo Lauria - head of the Senses project, Pamela Pasqualino - Maison Leclerc Briant.

Speaker: Luca D'Attoma, oenologist, Costantino Gabardi, journalist

Film screening "Born to Celebrate" | Cantina Colterenzio - Schreckbichl
Film "Future is our Heritage" Cantina Monsupello
by Anamcara Comunicazione

The Festival is the beating heart of Merano WineFestival and includes three main areas: Wine Italia, Wine International and WineHunter Area.

• Wine Italia and NextPlatinum – 350 selected Italian wineries (WH Award)
• Wine International – 100+ selected international wineries
• Featuring Territorium Georgia
• WineHunter Area – 300 WH Award-winning wines

Partners and sponsors of excellence, supporting food and wine producers in their growth and innovation. A strategic presence that enhances the combination of technology, service, and quality in the wine world.

Culinaria is the event within Gourmet Arena dedicated to the Food, Spirits & Beer tasting journey: a voyage through gourmet food specialties, refined spirits, and selected craft beers, celebrating taste in all its forms.

• 11:00: Istituto Alberghiero "G. Marconi" – Vairano Scalo
• 13:30: Antonio Tubelli – Historian and chef of Neapolitan cuisine
• 15:00: Lino Scarallo – Peppe Aversa
• 16:30: Presentation and tasting of Campania products

A widespread stage where territories and consortiums from all over Italy take center stage. On the red carpet, along Corso Libertà, talks, tastings and showcooking alternate to tell the authentic soul of Italian food and wine excellence.

• - Casa Campania
• - Calabria Region
• - Consorzio del Vulture
• - Falstaff
• - Banca per il Trentino Alto Adige
• - Radio Italia Anni 60

Casa Campania: Consorzio del Sannio, Consorzio del Vesuvio, VitiCaserta Consorzio, Vitae Salernum Vites

• 11:30 - 18:00: Tastings of the best wines from the denominations protected by the four consortiums
• 11:30 – 18:00: Meetings that tell the story of Campania's productive diversity
• 11:30 – 17:00: At the table in Campania: food and wine pairings and tastings

10:00 - 18:00: Wine tastings, local products and showcooking.

10:00 - 18:00: Wine tastings, local products and showcooking.

Toast with opening of Château Giscours 2006 in Jeroboam format (3 liters) and Large Format Panettone by Flamigni.

The WineHunter Buyer's Club is an exclusive space dedicated to meetings between producers and industry professionals, designed to foster new business opportunities and qualified networking. A reserved environment where buyers can get to know the selected excellence of Merano WineFestival up close. | 18:00

The space dedicated to journalists, media partners and communication professionals. A reserved and welcoming environment where you can get information, collect materials, conduct interviews and explore the festival's themes.

Speakers: WH Ambassador Georgia - Tamar Tchitchiboshvili, Ermanno Murari and The WineHunter - Helmuth Koecher

Speakers: Federico Veronesi, Luca Gardini, Gabriele Tanfani. With the presence of Raoul Ragazzi

Speaker: Franco Adami

Speaker: Guido Invernizzi, WineHunter Scout and journalist

Speaker: Giuseppe Carrus

Speaker: Olga Sofia Schiaffino, Haris Papandreou and the wineries Hatzidakis, Jima and Diamantakis

Speaker: Mauro Giacomo Bertolli, wine journalist

Speaker: Luca D'Attoma, oenologist and Andrea Radic, journalist

Speaker: Emanuele Kottakhs, CEO Jamin

Speakers: Andrea Radic & Riccardo Gabriele, journalists and wine communicator

Speaker: Simona Geri, The WineHunter Scout and Wine Communicator

The Festival is the beating heart of Merano WineFestival and includes three main areas: Wine Italia, Wine International and WineHunter Area.

• Wine Italia and NextPlatinum – 350 selected Italian wineries (WH Award)
• Wine International – 100+ selected international wineries
• Featuring Territorium Georgia
• WineHunter Area – 300 WH Award-winning wines

Partners and sponsors of excellence, supporting food and wine producers in their growth and innovation. A strategic presence that enhances the combination of technology, service, and quality in the wine world.

Culinaria is the event within Gourmet Arena dedicated to the Food, Spirits & Beer tasting journey: a voyage through gourmet food specialties, refined spirits, and selected craft beers, celebrating taste in all its forms.

• 11:00: Angelo D'Amico, Locanda Radici – Melizzano (Benevento)
• 13:00 – 16:00: "Gastronomic jam session" with Lino Scarallo, Peppe Aversa and Umberto De Martino

A widespread stage where territories and consortiums from all over Italy take center stage. On the red carpet, along Corso Libertà, talks, tastings and showcooking alternate to tell the authentic soul of Italian food and wine excellence.

• - Casa Campania
• - Calabria Region
• - Consorzio del Vulture
• - Falstaff
• - Banca per il Trentino Alto Adige
• - Radio Italia Anni 60

Casa Campania: Consorzio del Sannio, Consorzio del Vesuvio, VitiCaserta Consorzio, Vitae Salernum Vites

• 11:30 - 18:00: Tastings of the best wines from the denominations protected by the four consortiums
• 11:30 – 18:00: Meetings that tell the story of Campania's productive diversity
• 11:30 – 17:00: At the table in Campania: food and wine pairings and tastings

10:00 - 18:00: Wine tastings, local products and showcooking.

10:00 - 18:00: Wine tastings, local products and showcooking.

Toast with opening of Champagne Legras & Haas - Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Chouilly Millésime 2014 in Jeroboam format (3 liters) and Large Format Panettone by Flamigni

The WineHunter Buyer's Club is an exclusive space dedicated to meetings between producers and industry professionals, designed to foster new business opportunities and qualified networking. A reserved environment where buyers can get to know the selected excellence of Merano WineFestival up close. | 18:00

ICE Buyers Area

The space dedicated to journalists, media partners and communication professionals. A reserved and welcoming environment where you can get information, collect materials, conduct interviews and explore the festival's themes.

Speakers: Thomas Taddeo Brand Ambassador of Paul Mas and Marco Sciarrini, WineHunter Scout and food and wine journalist

Speakers: Roberto Komjanc, owner of Alessio Komjanc & Figli and Gianni Menotti, oenologist

Speakers: Romina Marovelli, CEO Marovellio, Sommelier and Chief Sensory Judge UNIPI Panel
Federica Venturi, Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural, Food and Agro-environmental Sciences (UNIPI)
Giuseppe Ferroni, Technician of the same Department, qualified judge in sensory analysis of wines

Speaker: Guido Invernizzi, Wine Hunter Scout and journalist

Speaker: Dr. Serena Gusmeri – Director and Oenologist of Vecchie Terre di Montefili

Speakers: Heiner Pohl, who will conduct the masterclass in German; Mattia Bolzan, who will conduct it in Italian

Speaker: Angelo Carrillo, Slow Food Alto Adige

31st Anniversary Godio Award

Catwalk Champagne & more is the event that beautifully closes the 34th edition of Merano WineFestival: a day entirely dedicated to bubbles, with a refined selection of national and international sparkling wines, and a special focus on Champagnes, symbol of elegance and celebration.

• Pavillon des Fleurs: France Champagne – 50+ producers
• Culinaria: Tastings of products from gourmet food companies
• Kursaal: Italy Classic Method – 85 producers

"Emergente Sala" hosted by Luigi Cremona