Italian Wine Group Honors Minister Lollobrigida

Italian wine professionals have named Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida their “Personaggio dell’Anno” for 2026, citing what they described as his institutional support for the sector and his role in promoting wine as part of Italy’s cultural and economic identity.

The award was presented by Assoenologi during its 79th congress in Conegliano, in the Veneto hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Docg, a Unesco World Heritage site. The association also honored several other figures tied to wine, trade and tourism, including Matteo Zoppas, president of Italy’s trade agency Ice; Federico Bricolo, president of Veronafiere; Luca Zaia, president of the Veneto regional council; Dario Stefàno, president of the Ceseo center at Lumsa University in Rome; Fabio Chies, the mayor of Conegliano; and Stevie Kim, managing partner of Vinitaly.

Riccardo Cotarella, who leads Assoenologi, said the award to Lollobrigida recognized “the sensitivity shown by institutions, the concrete closeness to the sector and the ability to interpret wine not only as an economic product, but as an expression of Italian history, work, culture and identity.” The association said it also wanted to acknowledge the minister’s support for a national communication campaign on Italian wine that it described as unprecedented in its financial commitment and in its attention to the sector’s cultural, social and productive value.

Assoenologi said it has about 4,500 members and represents most of Italy’s active wine technicians. Founded in the late 19th century by Arturo Marescalchi, Antonio Carpenè and Giovanni Battista Cerletti, the group has long played a central role in the country’s wine industry.

Zoppas said he accepted his recognition with gratitude and a sense of responsibility, calling it a sign of appreciation for work done on behalf of the wine world. He said he considered it an honor to see his efforts recognized by a sector he feels close to.