Garda Wine Stories 2026

From June 3 to 5, the Lake Garda area is back in the spotlight with Garda Wine Stories 2026, the press tour promoted by the Garda DOC Consortium that will bring together national and international press for three days dedicated to in-depth study, tasting and discussion of new scenarios in contemporary wine.

After the success at Vinitaly, the denomination thus relaunches its path of international positioning through a format that combines technical content, enhancement of the territory and immersive experiences, confirming itself as one of the most dynamic events on the Italian wine scene.

The 2026 focus: low alcohol, foreign markets and new consumers

The centerpiece of the program will be a technical conference scheduled for Thursday, June 4, at Dogana Veneta titled “Garda DOC: growth strategies and perception in international markets. Low alcohol, versatility and new consumption trends.” . An extremely topical issue that reflects the evolution of the global market and the new needs of consumers, who are increasingly oriented toward a conscious approach to drinking, without sacrificing quality, identity and territoriality.

Also guiding this reflection will be the vision of the president of the Consortium, Paolo Fiorini, who stresses how the low-alcohol theme today represents a fundamental strategic lever for interpreting change and anticipating international trends. It is no coincidence that the Garda DOC was the first Italian appellation to include this type in its specifications, confirming the desire to innovate while maintaining strong ties with the Garda territory.

The discussion will also offer an in-depth look at the main foreign markets, particularly the United Kingdom and Germany, thanks to the contribution of specialized international observers and journalists. A concrete opportunity to analyze consumption trends, business opportunities and growth prospects for the denomination in global markets.

Tastings and immersive experiences in the heart of Garda

Alongside the technical insights, Garda Wine Stories will keep its experiential soul strong. In the afternoon of June 4, in fact, Rocca di Lonato will host a walk-around tasting inside the Casa del Podestà, where the wineries of the denomination will present their labels in one of the most evocative places of Garda.

The final day on Friday, June 5, will instead be dedicated to sensory innovation with a masterclass combining wine, breathing and perception, led by Paolo Fiorini, Sissi Baratella and Dario Boschetto. An immersive experience designed to explore the relationship between senses, awareness and tasting.

Click here to see the full program!

A communication strategy that looks to the future

With Garda Wine Stories 2026, the Garda DOC Consortium thus confirms a modern and international communication strategy, capable of telling not only about wine but also about the landscape, culture and innovative capacity of one of Italy’s most iconic territories.

The activities are also part of the European project Euchronicles – Excellence PDOs: an all-European savoir-faire, an initiative dedicated to the enhancement of European agri-food excellence and the promotion of designations to international operators and consumers.