Milan – Best Wine Star 2026

Best Wine Stars 2026: Reconfirmations and novelties for the seventh edition of the International Fair dedicated to wine, food and spirits, May 16-18 in Milan’s historic Palazzo del Ghiaccio

From May 16 to May 18, the Palazzo del Ghiaccio in Milan will host the seventh edition of Best Wine Stars, an event conceived and organized by Prodes Italia, which, as of this year, gets recognition as an International Trade Fair for the sector from the Lombardy Region, under the patronage of the City of Milan.

The event confirms itself as a landmark event for the wine and spirits sector, bringing together Italian and international producers, buyers, professionals and trade press in three days of high-level tastings, meetings and networking.

Tasting trails and the new Bronze area

Also for 2026, the exhibition route will be divided into thematic areas designed to highlight the excellence of the industry and offer visitors a complete tasting experience. They will feature: Wine Italy Area, International Wine Area, Bio Area, Spirits Area and Tasting Area.

Alongside these, theFood Area, will host the gastronomic proposals of Enduro Republic Bistrot, a reality born in the village of Grazzano Visconti and founded on a philosophy of sharing and authenticity. During the three-day event it will offer a selection of simple and genuine dishes, made with local ingredients and designed to accompany the tastings.

Among the novelties of the 2026 edition is the debut of theBronze Area, located on the upper floor of the Ice Palace: a space dedicated to small emerging companies and producers from less represented territories, offered at particularly advantageous conditions and with a formula designed to encourage new realities in the development phase.

“With this initiative we reconfirm our commitment to supporting and enhancing, through concrete and targeted help, the promising realities that are redefining the wine and spirits landscape…”
Enzo Carbone, CEO of Prodes Italy, explains.

The area is already sold out, confirming the interest of the youngest and most innovative companies in the industry in the Fair.

Networking: Village Area and Digital Platform

Also reconfirmed is theVillage Area, a space dedicated to press, buyers and industry professionals designed to facilitate business meetings and B2B relations.

On Monday, May 18, industry professionals will be able to pick up a tasting kit in a “blind box” formula, containing some bottles from the wineries participating in the initiative, stimulating new opportunities for contact between buyers, journalists and producers.

Following the success of the first edition in 2025, the event’s official digital platform, designed to facilitate meetings, networking and interactions between exhibitors, buyers and industry professionals before, during and after the event, will be active again from mid-April.

Masterclasses, Tasting Rooms and Talks

Alongside the walk-around tasting, Best Wine Stars 2026 will offer a calendar of about 12 appointments including masterclasses, talks and tasting rooms, designed to take an in-depth look at key industry trends.

• We have changed | Times have changed or we are out of time.
• Journey to Italy | The wine that goes around us
• No alcohol | Let’s not compare them, let’s get to know them
• Small companies, big projects | The most hidden Italy tells its story

The masterclasses will provide an opportunity to learn about numerous companies, delve into their history and production philosophy, and taste their most representative labels.

Among the confirmed entities on the calendar are Cantina Sociale Barbera dei Sei Castelli, the Consorzio Tutela Vino Custoza DOC, the Luca Gentile Social Winery Soc. Coop. Agr , Tenuta Il Finale Società Argicola ARL and many others.

The sessions will be held in the evocative Sala Piranesi and represent a unique opportunity for professional updating and interaction among producers, buyers, press and enthusiasts.
They will be led by Adua Villa, writer, digital storyteller, sommelier and entrepreneur, who will be joined by important names in the industry including: Mattia Asperti, sommelier and creator 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 Essential Guide to the Wines of Italy.

Unveiled a preview of two appointments not to be missed:

• Sunday, May 17: The Tasting Room, curated by Fabio Bacchi, founder of BarTales and the Roma Bar Show, dedicated to the world of spirits.
• Monday, May 18: The official Italia a Tavola talk , which enters the event’s cultural program for the first time.

The full schedule will be available from mid-April on the event’s official platform: www.bestwinestars.com

With a consolidated format and constantly evolving content, Best Wine Stars 2026 confirms itself as a privileged stage to promote wines and spirits, combining sensory experiences, cultural insights and high-level professional relationships, continuing to grow in the sign of quality and the enhancement of Italian and international excellence.

Partnerships and Collaborations 2026

The 2026 edition benefits from an established network of collaborations. Among the Official Partners, AGIVI and ASSOENOLOGI are reconfirmed, while the project will be joined for the first time by AssoDistil, the National Association of Industrial Distillers of Alcohols and Spirits, which has been active for more than 80 years in representing the main Italian distilleries and protecting the interests of its member companies at the national and international level, and the National Grappa Consortium, a body officially recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture for the protection and enhancement of Geographical Indication Grappa.

Dialogue with foreign markets is strengthened thanks to Buyers Partners, including Strive International Consulting Ltd. an international consulting firm specializing in export marketing and business development, Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hungary and DANITACOM, committed to the creation and development of International business opportunities and relationships.

Collaboration is also renewed with several leading Media Partners such as I Grandi Vini, Italia a Tavola, Wine Meridian, DoctorWine, BarTales, Vino News 24, ItalianWineTour and EventiMilano.it. Also added for the 2026 edition is Wine Tales Magazine, a reference platform dedicated to the world of wine and wine lovers, which tells about producers, events, wine curiosities and itineraries through content created by an expert editorial staff.

During the event, a number of media partners will be present with dedicated desks, where interviews, meetings and networking with journalists and exhibitors will take place.

The echo of the event will be further amplified by the creators community, composed of Simona Geri (@simonagsommelier), Fabio Gobbi (@fabioelavigna), and Adriano Amoretti (@cantinasocial) who will accompany the event in the digital dissemination of content, increasing its visibility and engagement among enthusiasts and practitioners.

Useful information:

• Where: Palazzo del Ghiaccio, Milan
• When: May 16-18, 2026
• Hours to the public:
  • • Saturday, May 16: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (last entry at 7:00 p.m.)
    • Sunday, May 17: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (last entry at 7:00 p.m.)
    • Monday, May 18: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (last entry at 5:00 p.m.)

For information: www.bestwinestars.com – info@bestwinestars.com