by InTrieste
Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, a wine designation spanning the northeastern regions of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige, will become an official partner of the Giro d’Italia starting in 2026, regional officials announced on Monday during Vinitaly, the country’s premier wine fair.
The agreement, presented at the Ministry of Agriculture’s exhibition stand, marks a new collaboration between the Consorzio Doc delle Venezie and Italy’s most prestigious cycling race, widely known as the “corsa rosa.” The partnership will extend beyond the men’s competition to include the Giro d’Italia Women and the Giro Next Gen, a race showcasing emerging talent.
Stefano Zannier, the regional councillor for agri-food resources of Friuli Venezia Giulia, described the initiative as part of a broader effort to align Italy’s agricultural excellence with its sporting traditions.
“This is another opportunity for our production excellence to support sport while promoting the territory,” Zannier said, noting that the Giro’s route regularly draws thousands of spectators and passes through some of the country’s most scenic landscapes.
The collaboration is also intended to strengthen the international profile of Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, positioning it as a representative of Italian identity and lifestyle abroad. Organizers expect the partnership to generate increased visibility for the regions involved, encouraging visitors to explore local vineyards and food traditions.
Zannier’s visit to Verona also included institutional meetings focused on agricultural policy. He took part in a session of the national Commission on Agricultural Policies, held in the presence of Italy’s agriculture minister, Francesco Lollobrigida. Later, he met with his counterparts from neighboring regions and provinces — Veneto, Trento and Bolzano — at the Friuli Venezia Giulia stand.
The discussions underscored a shared strategy among the participating administrations to promote and enhance the agri-food sector through coordinated efforts.
