From Pretoria to Cape Town: A Celebration of Italian Wine in South Africa
Italian wine has never enjoyed a stronger presence in South Africa, and June 2026 provided a fitting reminder of just how vibrant the relationship between the two countries has become.
For Vinotria, one of South Africa’s leading importers of Italian wine, the month was marked by celebrations, masterclasses, visiting producers and a shared passion for bringing authentic Italian wine culture to local audiences.
Fifteen Years of Sharing Italy
Since 2011, Vinotria has been importing and distributing one of South Africa’s most comprehensive selections of Italian wines. Carefully curated by founders Pedro Estrada Belli and Roberto Bottega, the portfolio today represents almost fifty benchmark wineries from every major wine-producing region of Italy.
More than simply importing wines, Vinotria has spent the last fifteen years building relationships between South African wine lovers and the families, traditions and regions that define Italian wine.
Celebrating Italy in Pretoria
June began with celebrations surrounding Italian National Day, culminating in the Italian Republic Day Festival in Pretoria.
More than 8,000 visitors gathered to celebrate Italian culture, cuisine and wine. Blessed with warm winter sunshine, festivalgoers embraced the opportunity to discover wines from across Italy, while Vinotria’s stand remained a constant hub of activity throughout the day.
The popularity of Prosecco in particular proved one thing: next year’s allocation may need to be significantly larger.
A Historic Vinitaly Masterclass
The highlight of the month came just days later when Vinotria assisted Vinitaly International in hosting the first Vinitaly Masterclass ever held in South Africa.
Held at Idiom Wine Estate as part of the inaugural South Africa–Italy Agribusiness Summit, the event welcomed leading figures from the wine industry, government, hospitality and trade. Both South African Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen and Italian Minister Francesco Lollobrigida attended the event, underlining the growing importance of agricultural and cultural collaboration between the two countries.
The masterclass itself featured thirteen exceptional Italian wines presented by Masters of Wine Richard Kershaw and Andrea Lonardi, with Vinitaly’s Stevie Kim serving as moderator.
Following the tasting, delegates explored a broader showcase of Italian wines and DOP food products before gathering for a gala dinner prepared by Michelin-starred chef Enrico Derflingher alongside celebrated Italian-South African chef Giorgio Nava.
The event marked a significant milestone for Italian wine in South Africa and highlighted the growing appetite for authentic Italian wine experiences.
The Producers Behind the Wines
A particular highlight of the visit was the presence of two iconic Italian producers from the Vinotria portfolio.
Giacomo Bologna represented Braida, the pioneering Piedmont estate credited with transforming perceptions of Barbera and elevating it to one of Italy’s great wine styles. Natalino Colantonio represented Masciarelli, the benchmark Abruzzo producer founded by Gianni Masciarelli, whose work helped establish Montepulciano d’Abruzzo as one of Italy’s most respected red wines. Their visit extended beyond the Summit itself.
Special producer dinners were hosted in Johannesburg at Mastrantonio and in Cape Town at Carne on Keerom, where guests were able to experience the wines alongside regional Italian cuisine while hearing directly from the people behind the labels.
These evenings served as a reminder that great wine is never simply about what’s in the glass. It is about history, place, family, friendship and the stories that connect them all.
Wines That Left a Lasting Impression
Among the many wines presented throughout the week, several stood out.
From Abruzzo, Masciarelli’s Trebbiano d’Abruzzo demonstrated the freshness and elegance possible from one of Italy’s most important white grape varieties, while the Castello di Semivicoli Trebbiano highlighted the remarkable ageing potential of top examples. The estate’s flagship Villa Gemma Montepulciano d’Abruzzo reinforced why it remains one of the benchmark wines of the region.
From Piedmont, Braida’s Montebruna Barbera d’Asti showcased the vibrant fruit and energy that have made Barbera such a beloved grape, while Il Baciale demonstrated the versatility of the Monferrato hills.
The undisputed showstopper, however, was Bricco dell’Uccellone. Created by the late Giacomo Bologna, this iconic wine helped redefine Barbera for a global audience. Rich, complex and beautifully structured, it remains one of Italy’s most celebrated wines and a testament to the vision of the family behind Braida.
Looking Ahead
As the celebrations concluded and the producers returned home, one thing became clear: Italian wine continues to resonate strongly with South African consumers.
From Pretoria to Cape Town, from masterclasses to intimate dinners, June demonstrated that the appetite for authentic Italian wine experiences has never been greater.
For Vinotria, the mission remains unchanged: to connect South African wine lovers with the people, places and wines that make Italy one of the world’s most exciting wine-producing countries.
And if June was any indication, the journey is only just beginning.
Kind regards,
The Vinotria Team
