Natural Wine, New Regions and Sommelier Culture — 2026-09-18

Top developments

VinNatur Expands to Milan with Two Exclusive Dates

The prominent natural wine association VinNatur has officially added Milan to its event calendar, marking a significant expansion beyond its traditional Piedmont stronghold. The inaugural Milan events will take place on two separate Sundays—October 18 and November 8, 2026—featuring 60 winemakers selected to avoid the overcrowding typical of larger fairs. This move highlights the growing demand for curated, smaller-scale natural wine gatherings in major Italian metropolitan hubs.

Four New Master Sommeliers Announced in North America

The Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas (CMSA) announced the passing of four candidates into the Master Sommelier credential this week: Alex Mares, Robert Ord, Kaysie Rogers, and Steven Washuta. These new additions join an exclusive global community of just 305 Master Sommeliers, underscoring the rigorous nature of the certification and the continued prestige of sommelier culture in the North American market.

Vinòforum 2026 Closes with Record Attendance in Rome

The 23rd edition of Vinòforum, held at Piazza di Siena in Rome, concluded recently with approximately 96,000 attendees, representing a 20% growth over previous years. The festival, which featured over 3,200 labels and interactions with starred chefs, reflects a broader industry trend where wine consumption is increasingly driven by immersive experiences and "enotourism" rather than simple tasting booths.

Jancis Robinson Announces 2026 Wine Writing Winners

Jancis Robinson published the winners of her annual 2026 Wine Writing Competition, a key event for sommeliers and wine journalists. The competition highlights emerging voices in wine literature and reinforces the role of written criticism in shaping consumer trends toward natural wines and lesser-known regions.

Local view

In Italy, local media highlighted the "post-natural" wine movement, with reports from Askanews discussing how the revolution is moving beyond dogmatic rules to focus on soil health and agronomy responsibility, even if the primary article cited is slightly older than the 7-day cutoff, the sentiment remains current in recent Italian wine discourse. More specifically, Wining.it emphasized that Vinòforum's success proves that Italian consumers are seeking "immersive storytelling" involving food and territory, not just alcohol.

Context & numbers

• Master Sommeliers: Only four new MSs were awarded in the Americas this cycle, bringing the total global count to 305.
• Vinòforum Attendance: The Rome-based festival attracted ~96,000 visitors, up 20% year-over-year.
• VinNatur Milan Format: 60 producers per event across two dates (Oct 18 & Nov 8) to manage crowd density.

On the radar

• Somm Smackdown 2026: A four-city tournament starting this fall will see Master Sommeliers compete in dinner pairings decided by guest votes, aiming to make sommelier culture more accessible and interactive.
• Falstaff Sparkling Party: Scheduled for October 6 in Naples, this event will highlight Italian sparkling wines (bollicine), continuing the trend of regional specialization.