Wine Spectator Unveils Exciting Lineup of 150 Italian Wineries for OperaWine 2026 Chris Lehoux, October 9, 2025 OperaWine, the premier Italian wine tasting event, is set to return to Verona in 2026 with an impressive lineup of 150 wineries. This announcement was made by Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator‘s senior editor and tasting director, at the Vinitaly USA wine2wine business forum in Chicago. Scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2026, OperaWine is a significant precursor to the Vinitaly wine fair. Napjus described it as a unique international event, distinguishing it from the magazine’s other U.S.-based tastings. This year marks the 14th edition of OperaWine, which began in 2012 with 100 producers and has expanded to include 150. The wineries are carefully selected to represent the diversity and quality of the Italian wine industry, with considerations for historical significance and innovation. The 2026 edition introduces new selection categories: ‘Legacy Icon’, ‘Classic’, and ‘New Voices’. The Legacy Icon category consists of long-standing top performers from previous editions. The Classic category features wineries that are region leaders, while the New Voices category highlights producers emerging since 1990. Here’s a breakdown of the wineries set to participate in the 2026 event: Legacy Icon Masciarelli, Abruzzo Feudi di San Gregorio, Campania Mastroberardino, Campania Livio Felluga, Friuli/Venezia-Giulia Famiglia Cotarella, Lazio Ca’ del Bosco, Lombardy Nino Negri, Lombardy Umani Ronchi, Marche Aldo Conterno, Piedmont Giuseppe Mascarello & Figlio, Piedmont Paolo Scavino, Piedmont Donnafugata, Sicily Classic d’Angelo, Basilicata Marco Felluga, Friuli/Venezia-Giulia Jermann, Friuli/Venezia-Giulia Ceretto, Piedmont Pio Cesare, Piedmont Antinori, Tuscany New Voices La Valentina, Abruzzo Elena Fucci, Basilicata Bucci, Marche Masseria Li Veli, Puglia Feudo Montoni, Sicily OperaWine serves as a showcase for the power and diversity of Italian wines, an essential event for understanding the depth of the country’s wine production. For more details, you can visit Vinitaly and OperaWine 2026. About the Author: Chris Lehoux Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored! Wine