Vineyards Magazine

For the first time with a dedicated consortium stand, expressing a path of growth and a renewed strategic vision

Expectations are rising for the participation of the Garda DOC Consortium in the thirty‑first edition of ProWein, one of the most prestigious international fairs in the wine sector, scheduled at Messe Düsseldorf from 15 to 17 March and ready to welcome over 90,000 visitors from all over the world.

“Taking part in this edition of ProWein represents a very important milestone for our appellation and for all the producers we represent. We are talking about one of the most significant events in the world of wine, and being here as a Consortium – created to protect, promote and enhance the excellence of our territory also in international contexts – is a source of great pride. It is a strong signal: the appellation is present and intends to be a protagonist,” states Paolo Fiorini, President of the Consortium, highlighting the strategic importance of this choice at a time when interest is growing in low‑alcohol products without giving up flavour and the connection with the territory.

For the first time, the Consortium will be present with its own institutional stand (Hall 3 – Stand D16), a choice that marks a strategic step in the international positioning of the appellation. A debut that takes on even greater significance in light of the historic and solid bond between Lake Garda and the German market: always among the main commercial and tourism counterparts of the territory, today also a key partner in the development of the DOC.

In Düsseldorf the Consortium will present an important new development: the Garda DOC appellation – the first Italian DOC to include low‑alcohol wines – will offer a selection of labels with an alcohol content around 9% vol., produced by some member wineries and close to their official introduction on the market.

“ProWein 2026 will dedicate even more space to producers of innovative wines, including no‑alcohol or low‑alcohol ones. A choice that reflects current consumption trends, aimed not only at younger consumers,” continues Fiorini. “It is a trend that probably represents something more: for this reason, some wineries of our appellation began investing in this direction several years ago. Thanks to this path, today we are the first Italian DOC to offer wines on the market with an alcohol content around 9% vol., which stand alongside the traditional types that have always characterised our territory. A choice that confirms our vision: offering products capable of responding to new needs without giving up flavour integrity, expressive depth and respect for territorial identity.”

Participation in ProWein therefore looks not only to sector operators but also to consumers, with the aim of presenting the Garda territory – already known for its high production quality – as a reference point and a possible alternative for those wishing to explore wines of this type while maintaining a connection with their place of origin.

The Garda DOC Consortium thus continues its path of enhancing its member wineries, strengthened by innovative projects. A commitment that fits into a start of 2026 marked by solid and structured growth, particularly significant in a very dynamic general context, and which confirms the ability of the Garda DOC to respond effectively to market dynamics, as also demonstrated by the closing data for 2025, with total bottlings reaching 175,352 hectolitres, equal to over 23.3 million 0.75‑litre bottles, with year‑on‑year growth of +20%.

CONSORZIO GARDA DOC

A hilly territory of unique landscape features, straddling Lombardy and Veneto, protected by mountains and overlooking Italy’s largest lake: here, among the provinces of Brescia, Mantua, and Verona, lies the Garda DOC, a winegrowing area where special climatic conditions have over time shaped the qualities of the grape varieties that thrive here — and continue to define their distinctiveness today. First recognized in 1996 with the aim of enhancing varietal wines produced in the ten historic winemaking zones of the Lake Garda area, the Garda DOC is a denomination driven by a strong spirit of innovation, capable of evolving over the years to meet consumer needs while honoring a product with ancient roots.

Having obtained ministerial recognition in 2015 and operating erga omnes since 2016, the Garda DOC Consortium today represents 250 producers, giving voice to and promoting one of Italy’s most valuable food and wine excellences.