Veneto, the powerhouse of Italian wine, is preparing for what looks to be a strong 2025 harvest.
The region, home to some of the country’s most iconic appellations — Prosecco DOC and DOCG, Asolo Prosecco, Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, Valpolicella with its Amarone, Soave, Lugana, and beyond—remains the absolute leader in terms of export value. In 2024, Veneto’s wine exports were just under EUR 3 billion, accounting for 36.8% of Italy’s total wine exports.
Despite facing extreme weather events, plant health concerns, and a fragile international market, the latest forecast from the Viticulture Triptych—organized by the Veneto Region, Veneto Agricoltura, Arpav, and Crea—paints a largely positive picture.
A Promising Vintage in Numbers
According to the Veneto Agricoltura Agri-Food Economic Observatory, grape production is expected to reach around 14 million quintals, representing a 3–5% increase compared to 2024. This growth is driven by new vineyard plantings and favorable climate conditions, which allowed for regular vegetative development and healthy grapes overall.
- Quality Outlook: Grape quality is rated from good to excellent, with high expectations for the wines.
- Yields: Stable or slightly increasing across most varieties.
- Organic Concerns: Organic vineyards face challenges from plant diseases, and the risk of sour rot or botrytis remains if harvest-time rains increase.
Harvest Timeline
- Already Started: Pinot and Chardonnay for sparkling bases.
- Early September: Glera harvest begins (around September 5).
- Mid-September: Merlot from September 10; Corvina from September 17.
- Late September: Garganega and other iconic varieties from September 23.
Provincial Trends
- Belluno: Stable (+1%).
- Padua & Rovigo: Up to +10% (notably Glera, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Cabernet).
- Treviso: Stable overall, except Pinot Grigio (+2%) and Glera (-3%).
- Venice: Growth in Glera (+5%) and Chardonnay (+3%), slight decline in Pinot Grigio (-3%).
- Vicenza & Verona: Strong year, with Merlot (+15%), Corvinone (+10%), Garganega (+10%).
The positive trend extends across Northeastern Italy, with Friuli Venezia Giulia expecting a +10% increase, and Trentino-Alto Adige projecting +5–10% growth.
Global Market Pressures
While production is encouraging, the market context is less stable. Global wine consumption continues to decline, while U.S. tariffs and other trade barriers weigh on exports. This international uncertainty adds pressure to producers already contending with climate unpredictability and rising costs.
Federico Caner, Veneto’s Agriculture Councilor, emphasized the importance of the EU’s new “Wine Package,” which introduces measures to stabilize markets and safeguard profitability. These include:
- Extended replanting permits.
- Promotion of wine in non-EU markets.
- Extraordinary tools like mandatory distillation and green harvesting.
Caner stressed the need for market diversification and adaptation to new trends, from low-alcohol wines to wine tourism, as pathways to maintain Veneto’s global leadership.
Conclusion
Veneto once again demonstrates why it is the beating heart of Italian viticulture. With a strong 2025 harvest forecast—both in quality and quantity—the region stands ready to reaffirm its dominance on the international stage. Yet challenges remain, from tariffs to shifting consumer preferences. How producers adapt in the coming year will determine whether Veneto can turn a promising harvest into sustained global success.
Source: WineNews