When Vinitaly takes over Verona's fairgrounds each spring, the city itself hosts a parallel celebration known as Vinitaly and the City. This off-show event is designed for the general public and wine enthusiasts, with tastings, meetings, and events spread across the historic center. It provides a way to experience the wine culture of the region without a trade badge.
Vinitaly and the City is not a smaller version of the trade fair but a separate series that travels to different Italian locations. The Verona edition traditionally runs in April, overlapping with the main fair. The official Vinitaly website lists the upcoming Verona stop from April 9 to 11, 2027, as well as summer stops in Reggio Calabria and Sibari in 2026.
Because the program changes from year to year, you should always check the organizer's latest announcements for confirmed dates and venues. For a full overview of the main fair, including exhibitor and ticket information, read our guide to Vinitaly.
What Is Vinitaly and the City?
Vinitaly and the City is an event series promoted by Veronafiere, the organizer of Vinitaly, that moves the wine celebration from the fairgrounds into the heart of Italian cities. The Verona edition takes place in the historic center, with events in squares, palaces, and exclusive locations that are often not open to the public. It is structured as a cultural journey through wine regions and their products.
Vinitaly and the City vs. the Main Vinitaly Trade Fair
The main Vinitaly fair is a business-to-business event where producers, buyers, and industry professionals network and negotiate. It requires a trade badge or a separate ticket, and areas like the Vinitaly Plus pavilion are geared toward operators. Vinitaly and the City, by contrast, is explicitly aimed at the general public and wine lovers, making it a welcoming entry point for enthusiasts who are not attending the fair professionally.
Where and When: Verona's Historic Center as the Venue
Instead of the modern halls of the Verona fairgrounds, Vinitaly and the City uses the city's architectural treasures as its stage. Loggia del Consiglio, Palazzo della Ragione, and the courtyards near Piazza Erbe have previously hosted tastings and events. The multi-day format lets you explore Verona between sips, moving from one palace to the next.
What to Expect: Tastings, Wine Talks, and Special Locations
The program typically includes guided tastings, meet-the-producer sessions, and informal wine talks. The 2026 edition, for example, featured Wine Specialist Sissi Baratella hosting Wine Speech sessions in which she introduced the exhibitors' wines through short talks. These events are designed to be educational as well as social, helping you learn about Italian wine while you taste.
Access to certain venues is a major draw, as some locations are closed to the public outside of the event. You might find yourself tasting a Valpolicella in a frescoed hall or attending a masterclass in a cloister. However, specific venues and ticket options are not published for every edition in advance, so check the official program closer to the date.
Who Should Attend: General Public and Wine Enthusiasts
If you are new to Italian wine or simply want to enjoy Verona in a festive atmosphere, Vinitaly and the City is for you. It attracts residents and travelers who prefer a relaxed, open-air experience over the crowd at the fair. Wine enthusiasts who are not registered as buyers or exhibitors will find this series an accessible alternative to the main event.
Families with children might find the event less suitable, since the focus is on tastings and talk, although the historic center's piazzas are pleasant for strolling. That said, check with the organizer for age policies and family-friendly programming, as these are not detailed on the official event page.
Planning Your Visit: Combining Vinitaly and the City with the Main Fair
If you are attending the main Vinitaly fair as a professional, you can plan to visit Vinitaly and the City in the afternoons or evenings, as many of its events happen outside the fair's opening hours. This allows you to network during the day and taste with locals afterward. For a complete guide to the main fair, see our pillar article on Vinitaly: Verona's Wine Fair and How to Actually Attend.
Public visitors who are not attending the fair can still plan a trip to Verona during Vinitaly week, using Vinitaly and the City as the main event. Since the fairgrounds are some distance from the center, staying near the historic district is advisable for quick access to the public events. Accommodation should be booked early, as hotel prices tend to rise during the fair.
Around the Event: Other Vinitaly and the City Stops
Vinitaly and the City has expanded beyond Verona, with the 2026 series including stops in Calabria: Reggio Calabria on August 8-9 and Sibari from July 17-19. These summer editions bring the same concept to southern Italy, with tastings and events in each city's scenic locations. While Verona is the flagship, the series now reaches a wider audience.
If you cannot make the Verona dates, these other stops might be convenient. However, remember that each stop has its own program and ticket arrangements, so consult the official Vinitaly site for details on each location. Do not assume that the Verona program will be replicated elsewhere.
Official Resources for the Latest Program Details
The most reliable source for dates, venues, and ticketing is the official Vinitaly website. On its Vinitaly and the City page, you will find descriptions of each stop and links to dedicated pages for Reggio Calabria, Verona, and Sibari. News and updates are also shared through the main Vinitaly site and its social media channels.
Because the program is finalized only shortly before each edition, marketing materials might not be available months in advance. Subscribing to the Vinitaly newsletter is a practical way to receive announcements about the public program, ticket sales, and speaker lists as soon as they are published.
Plan Your Visit
Vinitaly and the City offers a unique way to taste Italy's wines within Verona's historic center, away from the trade-fair bustle. Whether you are a professional extending your stay or a public visitor, it enriches your wine experience in the Veneto. Remember to verify all details directly with the organizer, as programs evolve each year.
Finally, combine your wine immersion with the city's other annual events. Check our guide to Festivals and Events in Verona for a broader view, and if you are interested in opera, consider the Arena di Verona experience. That way, your trip can match wine culture with music and history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vinitaly and the City event?
Vinitaly and the City is a series of public events organized by Veronafiere, the company behind Vinitaly. It features tastings, wine talks, and cultural activities in the historic centers of Italian cities, aiming to promote wine culture to a broader audience beyond the trade fair.
When does Vinitaly and the City take place in Verona?
The Verona edition of Vinitaly and the City typically overlaps with the main Vinitaly trade fair in spring. The organizer has announced dates of April 9-11, 2027, but confirm the exact schedule on the official Vinitaly website, as dates can change.
Where is Vinitaly and the City held?
In Verona, Vinitaly and the City takes place in the historic center, using venues such as palaces, squares, and courtyards that are often closed to the public. Other editions have been held in Reggio Calabria and Sibari in Calabria.
Is Vinitaly and the City open to the public?
Yes, Vinitaly and the City is specifically aimed at the general public and wine enthusiasts, unlike the main Vinitaly fair which is a trade event. However, you should check the official program for specific ticketing requirements.
What is the difference between Vinitaly and Vinitaly and the City?
Vinitaly is a major business-to-business wine fair held at the Verona fairgrounds, requiring trade credentials. Vinitaly and the City is a separate public event series held in city centers, with open tastings and cultural activities, designed for everyday wine lovers.
What kind of events happen at Vinitaly and the City?
Typical events include guided tastings, meet-the-producer sessions, and wine talks. The 2026 edition featured Wine Speech sessions with a wine specialist. Specific programs vary by year and location, so refer to the official announcements.
