Vinoway Selection 2026: the story of an edition that embraced Italian wine
Written by Davide Gangi | Published in events, Vinoway Italia, wine 
I am convinced that an event reaches its maximum value when it manages to enhance not only the wine, but also the women and men who make it possible.
It is with this philosophy that we sign each edition of the Vinoway Selection: an event that not only rewards, but also unites, recognizes, listens, and tells stories.
On November 28, in the elegant halls of Castello Monaci Resort, many told me that they felt a special atmosphere. Producers from every corner of Italy, winemakers, sommeliers, professionals, and wine lovers filled the space with lively and authentic energy. In each of them, I found what makes this event so unique: trust, respect, and the desire to walk together.
We opened the event with a moment that will go down in Vinoway Selection history: the vertical tasting of Montiano wines from the Cotarella family, led by Pier Paolo Chiasso and myself. It was a prestigious masterclass, the first of its kind ever held in Puglia, which thrilled everyone present. Through the different vintages of Montiano, we embarked on a journey of vision, choices, evolution, and courage. At the closing ceremony, as every year, I felt a gratitude that is difficult to put into words. I shared with all of you a simple thought, but one that I feel deeply: “The value of Vinoway lies not in the awards, but in the people. In the growing community, in the trust we receive, in the desire to improve together.”
The Vinoway Selection 2027 edition will be held on November 14 and 15, 2026, once again at Castello Monaci Resort, with many new features.
The morning of the Vinoway Selection opened with what I consider to be one of the most significant moments of the entire event: an in-depth and necessary discussion dedicated to the theme “Where is Italian wine headed and how can it regain value in an era of profound transformation?”
I had the privilege of leading the discussion alongside a panel of distinguished guests: Pier Paolo Chiasso, Christian Scrinzi, Cristian Ridolfi, Francesco Scarcelli, Alessandro Rossi, and Gabriele Pezzuto. These authoritative voices, drawing on their diverse experiences, provided a clear, honest, and consistently constructive overview of the sector.
The discussion highlighted a series of key points: from the evolution of winemaking styles to the need for a more coherent strategy on the domestic market, to the defense of historical positions on foreign markets, where—it should be remembered—Italian wine continues to enjoy undiminished prestige. The real risk today is another: fueling a climate of pessimism in communication that can do more damage than the actual situation. For this reason, a common conviction has emerged: we need vision, unity, and a more incisive, modern, and above all, alarmist-free narrative of the sector.
Next, we had the honor of welcoming Prof. Vincenzo Russo, who presented an extraordinary lecture dedicated to neuromarketing and how award-winning labels influence consumer perceptions. It was a brilliant presentation that provided concrete tools for understanding how emotions, colors, visual cues, and memory influence wine choices, and how communication today plays a decisive role in defining perceived value.
The morning ended with an event that attracted a large audience: a masterclass featuring 12 sparkling wines selected by Vinoway, representing the excellence of Italian production using the classic and Charmat methods, presented through tastings, technical explanations, and fascinating stories about the region. It was an intense morning, rich in content, dialogue, and shared awareness: another step towards a vision of Italian wine that values who we are and what we can still become.
All award-winning wines are available for free download on the Vinoway Selection app. A project that has grown over the years, it has now become a useful, authoritative, and accessible tool for producers, enthusiasts, and professionals.
The Vinoway Selection was created with a clear objective: to recognize and promote wines that, more than others, have been able to express identity, vision, and quality. Each tasting is the result of a rigorous, shared, and transparent method, but above all, a deep respect for the work of Italian producers.
Our rating system has a maximum score of 97/100, a choice that reflects Vinoway’s philosophy: excellence is not a definitive goal, but a target that continuously stimulates improvement.
Achieving a score between 95 and 97 points means entering the elite group of wines selected by Vinoway. It is a result that attests not only to extremely high technical quality, but also to a rare emotional capacity: that which allows a wine to stand out, to convey a deeper understanding of the territory from which it originates, and to leave a clear impression on those who taste it.
Within this band of excellence, we identify the best in each category, not to create distances, but to give voice to the nuances that particularly impressed our commission.
It is a recognition that rewards those who have reached the top, without ever detracting from the dignity of others: because every wine selected has undergone a rigorous process and is the result of choices, sacrifices, and professionalism that deserve respect. Once again this year, the overall level that emerged during the tastings was extraordinarily high. This is a strong sign of the maturity of Italian production and the growing awareness of our winemakers, who are capable of combining tradition and research, technique and sensitivity.
This preface therefore aims to reiterate a fundamental principle for Vinoway: rewarding the best, while respecting the value of everyone.
Because an authoritative guide is not just a list of scores, but a collective account of the work of those who contribute every day to making Italian wine great.
AWARD-WINNING WINES – VINOWAY SELECTION 2026
Red wine: Famiglia Cotarella – Montiano IGP Lazio 2022 and Rocche dei Manzoni – Castelletto Rosso DOCG Barolo 2012
White wine: Winegrower Antonio Mazzella – Gawem DOC Ischia 2022 and Valentino Butussi – Genesis DOC Friuli Colli Orientali 2022
Rosé wine: Borgo Turrito – Cala Rosa IGP Puglia 2024
Orange Wine: Luretta – Boccadirosa DOC Colli Piacentini 2023 e Lieselehof – Julian Vigneti delle Dolomiti 2021
Classic Method Sparkling Wine: Castel Faglia – Monogram Franciacorta Cuvée Brut Millesimato 2019 and Muratori – Franciacorta Brut Millé Millesimato 2020
Italiano Mehod Sparkling Wine: Follador – Nani dei Berti Brut Millesimato DOCG Prosecco Superiore Valdobbiadene 2024
Sparkling: Gianni Doglia – Casa di Bianca DOCG Canelli 2024
Sweet wine: Manincor – Le Petit
Liqueur wine: Tiberi David – Cotto Stravecchio 2002
Cellar reserves: Gianfranco Fino – Es 2005 and Feudo Cavaliere – Millemetri Rosato DOC Etna 2017
New Releases of the Year: Cantina di Venosa – Carato Venusio – Affinamento in Mare DOCG Aglianico del Vulture Superiore 2017 and Syn – Marco Mascellani – Syn 2023
Absolute Wine: Feudo Montoni – Vrucara Riserva DOC Sicilia 2021
Up-and-Coming Winery: La Masseria di Sessa
The Top 10:
1 – Villa Matilde
2 – Famiglia Cotarella
3- Guido Berlucchi
4 – Viticoltore Antonio Mazzella
5 – Feudo Montoni
6 – Cantina Bozen
7 – Baglio del Cristo di Campobello
8 – Giovanni Rosso
9 – Argiolas
10 – Cantele e Cantine del Notaio
Awards for the leading figures in Italian wine
Best Italian Winemaker 2025 – Vincenzo Mercurio
Most Promising Italian Winemaker 2025 – Pietro Grelloni
Best Italian Agronomist 2025 – Edoardo Quarella
Award for Wine Culture and Research – Paolo Vagaggini
Best Italian Sommelier 2025 – Rudy Travagli
Best Italian Winemaker 2025 – Andrea Annino
Best Italian Wine Promoter 2025 – Lucrezia Bencivenga
Personaggio dell’Anno – Federico Bricolo
Lifetime Achievement Award – Giulio Somma
Special Award – Francesco Scarcelli
Molinas Award – Angelo Maci Jr and Francesco Fortunato Maci
Enartis Award – Giovanni Giuseppe Riviezzo
Best Italian Communicator 2025 – Adua Villa
Awards went to Cristian Ridolfi, President of the Soave Protection Consortium, and Damiano Reale, President of the Salice Salentino Protection Consortium.
One of the most spontaneous moments of the evening was the award given to Paolo Leo Jr, 8, grandson of producer Paolo Leo, who has been a regular at Vinoway events for years. For this reason, we chose to name him the Official Mascot of Vinoway, a gesture that celebrates continuity, family, and the future.
Thanks to the producers who make all this possible.
Thanks to my staff, who work with dedication, affection, and self-sacrifice.
Thanks to our sponsors: Sugherificio Molinas, Enartis, and Partesa for Wine.
And to our technical partners: Amaro Niente – Bonaventura Maschio and Servizi Sicurezza Italia, who believe in our vision with their trust and support, allowing us to turn ideas into reality
To all of you, my thanks are not a formality: they are a sincere recognition of a shared journey, of a collective commitment that gives value to Italian wine and its culture. You are the strength of Vinoway, the soul that fuels every project, the essence that makes possible what we could never achieve alone.
This success is yours. And we will continue to build together the future that Italian wine deserves.
The Vinoway Selection 2026 has been a shared story, a tapestry of tales and emotions. Wine is a journey: the beauty lies in traveling it together.
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