IN BREVE
- For the first time, 53% of Valpolicella’s vineyards are managed with certified sustainable practices, thanks to Sqnpi certification.
- The Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella highlights significant growth in eco-friendly vineyards, with 3,500 hectares under Sqnpi certification.
- Organic viticulture represents only 1,100 hectares, down 9%, while Sqnpi certification will increase by 47% in 2025.
- Export value of Veneto red DOPs decreases by 2.1%, while volumes increase slightly by 0.4%.
- Markets such as Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom show signs of growth, despite declines in other countries like Switzerland and Denmark.
For the first time, Valpolicella sees the majority of its vineyards managed with certified sustainable practices. The data emerges in Verona from the Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella, presented on the occasion of Amarone Opera Prima. In 2025, eco-friendly vineyard area reaches 53% of the total, compared to 42% in 2024, thanks primarily to the spread of the ministerial Sqnpi certification. In just one year, approximately one thousand new hectares have been certified. Growth is driven by integrated production recognized by the National Integrated Production Quality System, which promotes sustainable practices both in the vineyard and in the cellar. The contribution of organic viticulture is more limited.
ACCORDING TO THE CONSORZIO, 4,666 CERTIFIED HECTARES OUT OF 8,600
The Consorzio’s analysis indicates that certified agro-environmental protection now covers nearly 4,666 hectares, out of a total of approximately 8,600 hectares in the denomination. Of these, 1,100 hectares are organic, down 9%, while nearly 3,500 hectares adopt Sqnpi certification, which represents the predominant share.
“In an increasingly competitive scenario, Valpolicella is betting heavily on sustainability – declared the president of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Valpolicella, Christian Marchesini – A green asset for its territory but also a market lever for various demand areas, from Northern Europe to North America, where it is considered added value. The voluntary Sqnpi certification has found fertile ground among our producers, with growth of 47% in 2025 alone and 110% over the last 3 years.”
2025 MARKET: LIMITED CONTRACTION AND FINAL RECOVERY
On the economic front, 2025 closes as a complex year but with signs of recovery in the final quarter. For the leading red denomination in Veneto, with a turnover exceeding 600 million euros, the decline in bottled wine is more contained than initially expected. Amarone registers a -2.4%, equal to approximately 102,000 hectoliters. Valpolicella drops 2.7% to 123,800 hectoliters, while Ripasso marks a decline of 3.7%, nevertheless exceeding 205,000 hectoliters.
EXPORT: BETTER PERFORMANCE THAN NATIONAL AVERAGE
In the first ten months of 2025, exports of Veneto red DOPs up to 15 degrees, a category in which Valpolicella has an almost total weight, show a decrease in value of 2.1%, compared to a slight increase in volumes (+0.4%). This figure is significantly better than the national average for red DOP wines, which registers -6.2% in value. The main burden is the U.S. tariff in the second half of the year, with a value decline of 5.8%. Negative signals also come from Switzerland (-9.8%), Denmark (-3.7%), and Norway (-6.5%). However, some key markets are growing. Canada, the leading buyer, advances 4.8%. Germany (+5.1%), Sweden (+4.7%), the United Kingdom (+8.9%), and the Netherlands (+12%) also perform well.
