Wine culture for UNESCO recognition: proposal relaunched at Vinitaly

Wine culture and the UNESCO proposal: highlights from Vinitaly

On 13 April 2026 in Verona, during Vinitaly, stakeholders relaunched the proposal to list wine culture among UNESCO heritage elements. Led by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) together with governmental delegations and sector representatives, the initiative seeks to recognize wine as a cultural landscape element, traditional practice and local identity marker.

Main points of the proposal

• Date and venue: roundtable at Vinitaly, Verona, 13 April 2026.
• Participants: OIV, government representatives, institutional delegations and wine sector operators.
• Goal: to register wine culture with UNESCO to strengthen protection, management and sustainable promotion of historic wine landscapes.

Why this matters for UNESCO sites in Italy

Italy hosts many UNESCO sites that include cultural landscapes where viticulture plays a central role. Official recognition of wine culture could bring practical benefits:

• Landscape protection: enhanced safeguarding of terraced vineyards, historic rows and rural structures that shape site values.
• Preservation of practices: support for traditional farming techniques, local grape varieties and community know-how.
• Targeted funding: access to programs and funds for conserving agricultural landscapes and sustainable adaptation measures.
• Responsible promotion: integration of certified food-and-wine routes with UNESCO visits under sustainability and quality standards.

Practical implications for visitors and operators

Visitors to UNESCO sites can expect more organized offers such as guided tours of historic vineyards and tastings that explain local traditions. Operators can develop combined cultural and wine tourism packages, partner with local authorities and implement transparent sustainability criteria.

How to follow developments

The Vinitaly announcement initiates a technical and administrative pathway that will need application dossiers and international assessments. To keep informed, follow official communications from the OIV and institutional bodies, and check regional and national calls related to nominations and funding.

Practical information about the meeting

Venue: Vinitaly, Viale del Lavoro 8, Verona (37135 VR).
Event date: 13 April 2026.
Coordinates (approx.): 45.4175099, 10.979821.