The Sicilia DOC Wines Consortium has begun 2025 with a rich programme of activities in the United States, confirming the strategic role of this market in promoting Sicilian wines.
PRESIDENTE ANTONIO RALLO
The year opens with encouraging data – coming from the market study conducted by Colangelo&Partners in collaboration with the wine research company Wine Opinions and the Provi and Somm.ai platforms – which highlight a growing interest on the part of US importers and distributors in Sicilia DOC wines, thus demonstrating how denomination wines are increasingly perceived as synonymous with quality, authenticity and Italian winemaking tradition.
“The US market is fundamental for Sicilia DOC wines —emphasises the Director of the Consortium Camillo Pugliesi— and the activities planned for this year aim to consolidate the presence of our wines among the main operators in the sector. Thanks to the commitment of the producers and a targeted strategy, we want to promote the uniqueness of our denomination, carrying on a constructive and profitable dialogue with the American wine trade and consumers.”
The market study involved 720 interviewees, including importers, distributors, and ho.re.ca. channel operators, retailers, as well as media, marketing and academic professionals. Sicily emerged as the Italian wine region with the greatest opportunities to grow, with 69% of the interviewees indicating a significant expansion of market share in the United States. Comparing the data of the first quarter of 2024 with those of 2023, there is a notable increase in the importer channel, with 65% representing Sicilian wines in 2024 compared to 47% in 2023. Distributors also show a positive trend, with 80% holding Sicilian wines in 2024, compared to 75% in 2023.
The 2025 strategy for promoting Sicilia DOC wines in the States features consolidated partnerships with the Colangelo&Partners and Current Global agencies. Colangelo&Partners will handle the activities aimed at trade, while Current Global will manage consumer communication, amplifying the message through digital media and public relations. The events throughout the territory, the beating heart of the promotion in the USA, will include a busy calendar of seminars, tastings and incoming. Among the highlights is the ”Grand Walk-Around Tasting” in New York, scheduled for 21st May, which will be the central event of the Sicilia DOC Annual US Road Show, with over 200 guests including press representatives and trade operators of the New York metropolis. The event will be accompanied by happenings in other key cities such as Chicago, Houston and Washington DC, where thematic seminars and cocktail receptions will offer a unique opportunity to increase one’s knowledge of Sicilian wines.
2025 also marks the Consortium’s participation in the main trade fairs in the USA, including the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) in Denver in February, the Charleston Wine+Food Festival in March and Vinitaly Chicago in October, in addition to participation in the Martha’s Vineyard Food & Wine Festival. Each event represents an important step towards strengthening relations with operators, journalists and consumers, creating a direct and engaging dialogue.
Thanks to targeted initiatives and a constant commitment to sustainability and quality, Sicilia DOC wines are once again recognised as worldwide ambassadors of Made in Italy, capable of conquering international markets with their expressive richness and unmistakable identity.