Nearly 200 U.S. wine professionals gathered in New York to celebrate two decades of Alto Adige’s presence in one of its most important international markets
NEW YORK, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Consorzio Alto Adige Wines celebrated 20 years of promotion in the United States with a special Walkaround Tasting on October 6 at 22 Vanderbilt in New York City, bringing together 28 Alto Adige producers and nearly 200 U.S. wine professionals for a day dedicated to the region’s distinctive wines, diverse grape varieties and unique Alpine terroir. The event featured a walk-around tasting from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m., complemented by two sold-out masterclasses and three thematic tasting bars exploring the diversity, terroir, versatility and aging potential of Alto Adige wines.
At the walkaround tasting, 28 Alto Adige producers presented a broad selection of wines to U.S. sommeliers, importers, restaurateurs, media and other wine professionals. The tasting highlighted the remarkable diversity of Alto Adige wines, from its signature white varieties, including Pinot Bianco and Gewürztraminer, to Pinot Nero, Lagrein and other indigenous and international varieties that thrive across the region’s distinctive Alpine landscape.
The program also featured a series of educational masterclasses led by Madeline Puckette, co-founder of Wine Folly, offering attendees an in-depth look at some of Alto Adige’s most compelling wines and exploring the region’s potential for producing wines with exceptional aging potential. .
The event, organized by IDM South Tyrol in collaboration with the Consorzio Alto Adige Wines, marked 20 years since Alto Adige wines were first formally presented to the U.S. wine community at a New York tasting on October 19, 2006. Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Bolzano, the inaugural event introduced 34 leading U.S. wine journalists, critics and industry opinion leaders to the region’s wines. A second, larger tasting followed in 2007, laying the foundation for two decades of coordinated promotion. Today, the U.S. remains a cornerstone of Alto Adige’s international strategy, supported by ongoing media relations, trade engagement, tastings and educational programs.
“The U.S. market remains a strategic priority for Alto Adige,” said Eduard Bernhart, Director of the Consorzio Alto Adige Wines. “It is our second most important export market by value and fourth in terms of sales volume. After 20 years of consistent investment, we have built a strong foundation in the United States, where wine professionals have shown a strong appreciation for the freshness, precision and diversity of Alto Adige wines, particularly our fruit-forward whites. The longstanding presence of Italian restaurants and the curiosity of American consumers continue to create opportunities to introduce new audiences to the character and quality of our wines.”
The 20th anniversary comes at a challenging time for the U.S. wine market, as changing consumer preferences, evolving market dynamics and a shifting economic landscape continue to shape the industry. Against this backdrop, Alto Adige remains committed to the U.S. market and to the strong relationships built over the past two decades.
“The U.S. remains an important and attractive market for Alto Adige wines, even in a more challenging trading environment,” said Margit Gamper, Director of Business Development at IDM South Tyrol. “Our continued presence allows us to strengthen relationships with the trade, support our producers and communicate the distinctive qualities of Alto Adige wines to an increasingly knowledgeable American audience.”
The New York tasting underscored the importance of direct engagement and education in building long-term connections between Alto Adige producers and the U.S. wine community. Twenty years after the region’s first promotional tasting in New York, Alto Adige continues to invest in the market with the same goal: to deepen awareness and appreciation for one of Italy’s most distinctive wine regions.
About The Consorzio Alto Adige Wines
The Consorzio Alto Adige Wines was formed in 2007 to promote and strengthen the image of the wines from Alto Adige. One of Italy’s smallest wine-producing regions, Alto Adige is also one of its most multifaceted. Twenty grape varieties are cultivated on vineyards stretching from Mediterranean-influenced valleys to Alpine hillsides, tended by individual growers, small family-wineries, and cooperatives alike.
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SOURCE Consorzio Alto Adige Wines
