Vinitaly Kazakhstan Roadshow 2025
The Silk Road of wine is busier than ever. Central Asia is no longer a future opportunity, it is a market in motion. The Vinitaly Kazakhstan Roadshow returns to Almaty on June 29, 2026, offering Italian wine producers a direct, high-impact entry point into one of the region’s most dynamic and underserved markets.
With rising demand for premium imports and a fast-developing HoReCa (on-premise) sector, Kazakhstan is rapidly positioning itself as a strategic hub for Italian wine in Eurasia.
Building on Momentum: A Look Back at 2025
The 2025 edition, held at the Rixos Almaty Hotel, brought together 78 Italian wineries and over 500 specialized trade visitors, including the country’s leading importers, distributors, and retailers. The program featured B2B walk-around tastings, three exclusive masterclasses, and the Italian Sommelier Challenge—a competition among local wine professionals.
The takeaway was clear: the Kazakh market is moving beyond entry-level familiarity toward a deeper appreciation of Italy’s regional diversity.
Voices from the Market: Insights from the Italian Wine Podcast
To support producers entering the region, the Italian Wine Podcast launched Asia Wine Market: Almaty Special Edition, a series exploring the local ecosystem through conversations with key industry players.
- The Importer’s View: Isa Ketebayev of Monte Bianco, highlighted that while the “classics” are strong, there is a massive appetite for boutique, family-run estates that offer “rare and exceptional” experiences. Other importers also report consistent demand for Chianti, Barolo, and Amarone, but highlight a clear gap for some indigenous varieties and boutique producers. This creates a strong entry point for small and medium-sized wineries seeking differentiation.
- The Educational Shift: Zulfiya Ibragimova (President of the Kazakhstan Sommelier Association) and Ratmir Akhmetov (Top 3 ASI Best Sommelier of Asia & Oceania 2025) explained how a new generation of professional sommeliers is being trained to sell not just a bottle, but the terroir of Italy.
- Beyond Borders: Our conversations with Svetlana Fedoseeva (Uzbekistan), Elena Shtepa (Kyrgyzstan) and Anastasiia Filiuta (Azerbaijan) revealed that Almaty serves as the strategic lighthouse for the entire region. Success in Kazakhstan often opens the doors to Tashkent, Bishkek and Baku.
Our Conversation with Italy’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Antonello De Riu:
2026: The HoReCa Pivot with Italian Wine Podcast – From the Warehouse to the Wine List
In 2026, the Italian Wine Podcast’s Almaty Special Edition 2.0 expands its focus beyond distribution, placing strong emphasis on the HoReCa sector. We move the conversation from “How do I get my wine into the country?” to “How do I get my wine into the glass?”
The first episode of the series is already live, featuring Svetlana Khaninaeva, founder of Kazmyaso. As a leading voice in Central Asian gastronomy, she offers a compelling perspective on the intersection between Kazakh and Italian culinary traditions. Her insights into meat culture and food pairing strategies reveal concrete opportunities for Italian wines to integrate into the local dining scene.
5 Reasons Not To Miss the 2026 Roadshow
If you are evaluating new markets, the 2026 Roadshow is the most direct path to success in the region.
- Being there Makes the Difference
In Central Asia, people don’t buy from a catalog—they buy from people. Being there in person accelerates relationships, negotiations, and decisions. Those who show up, sell.
- Not just Kazakhstan: Access to an Entire Region
You’ll meet operators from Kazakhstan and neighboring markets. One trip, multiple open doors: distribution, importers, and strategic partners in an area still under-served by competitors.
- Content that Attracts Qualified Clients
The Italian Sommelier Challenge and the masterclass led by Andrea Lonardi MW attract professionals, buyers, and opinion leaders genuinely interested in Italian wine. This isn’t traffic, it’s target audience.
- Walk Around Tasting: targeted meetings for concrete results
Put your wines in the right glass: selected importers, Ho.Re.Ca. professionals, sommeliers, and media. Less dispersion, higher conversion.
- A Growing Market: early movers win
Italian wine here is still in a building phase. That means one thing: those who enter now can define their positioning ahead of others. Masterclasses and tastings don’t just sell bottles, they create demand.
The bridge between Italy and Kazakhstan is open. The question is not whether the market will grow, but which producers will define it. Will your labels be on the crossing?
For participation details and exhibitor opportunities contact: almaty@ext.veronafiere.it
Dive Deep Into Wine & Food Culture in Central Asia with Asia Wine Market: Almaty Special Edition
