Bolzano – Vinaltum 2026
Vinaltum 2026: “Tasting excellence” at Mareccio Castle, in the heart of Bolzano, May 17 and 18
Vinaltum, the Festival of Wine Excellence of Italy and the World, dedicated to wine lovers and wine professionals, is back. For this third edition, the event takes a significant step and lands in Castel Mareccio, in the heart of Bolzano, bringing with it all its exclusive character in a setting even more evocative and representative of the South Tyrolean territory.
Mareccio Castle
Nestled among vineyards on the outskirts of the city, Castel Mareccio is a medieval castle from the 13th century. It stands on a hilltop promontory with panoramic views of the Adige Valley. Now a venue for high-profile events, its historic architecture, frescoed rooms and surrounding park provide a setting of rare elegance-a setting perfectly in line with the values of Vinaltum, where excellence, territory and beauty meet.
“Castel Mareccio represents a quantum leap in context for Vinaltum. We wanted to bring the event to the heart of Bolzano,” comments Danilo D’Ambra, creator of Vinaltum, “in a place that spoke of territory, history and excellence as much as the wines tasted there
The Vinaltum project
Vinaltum was born from the synergy between Danilo D’Ambra and Luciano Rappo, two leading figures in the Italian wine scene. D’Ambra, FISAR president for Bolzano and Bassa Atesina, is a great connoisseur of the sector and a passionate promoter of wine culture. Rappo, a longtime wine consultant and point of reference for many wineries, has dedicated his career to the promotion of Italian wine excellence. Together, with the support of Pietro Cormaci, Brand Ambassador of the event, and Rinaldo Hauser Sommelier of experience and “Keeper of Taste,” they have built a project that aims to be a bridge between producers, buyers, experts and industry enthusiasts, promoting an authentic and educational tasting experience.
“Vinaltum was born out of the conviction that quality wine deserves a stage to match.” – says Luciano Rappo, co-organizer of Vinaltum-“The selection of wineries participating in the event is never random: we look for producers who have something authentic to tell, who express the territory through their wines. It is this rigor in the selection that makes Vinaltum a credible, expected and different event from others.”
Vinaltum 2026
The careful selection of participating wineries and the direct presence of producers will offer visitors an unprecedented wine experience.”
To make the experience even more complete for guests of the event, Vinaltum 2026 benefits from the valuable collaboration of the Goldenstern Townhouse, the official hospitality partner. Located in the heart of Bolzano’s historic center, under the city’s medieval arcades, the Goldenstern is much more than a hotel. It is an expertly restored 800 AD historic building with sixteen unique suites, each custom-designed and dedicated to one of the people who shaped its history. The panoramic terrace overlooking the rooftops of Bolzano and the Dolomites, the interiors that blend contemporary design and period stucco, the breakfast with fresh local products-all speak of that same quest for excellence that animates Vinaltum. A natural partnership, between two businesses that share the same vision of the beautiful and the good.
With the support of Arco Expeditions, Main Sponsor for logistics, Goldenstern Townhouse, Sophienwald with UNO Glassworks, Castel Hortenberg, Franz Kraler, and in collaboration with FISAR, Vinaltum 2026 is confirmed as an unmissable experience for those who love wine and wish to experience it in a high-class and professional setting, in the extraordinary crossroads of cultures, landscapes and flavors that is South Tyrol.
The program
The program consists of two days:
- Sunday, May 17 tastings open to the public
- on Monday, May 18 access restricted to insiders and invited guests.
Both days will be enhanced by exclusive master classes led by industry experts.
Serving as an interlude between the first and second days is the traditional“Big Bottle Party” on Sunday evening. This is a time of conviviality and celebration where participants can taste large formats in an elegant and engaging atmosphere.
More details on the official Vinatum.co.uk page.