Winemakers’ national football teams take the field. Cecina and Bibbona will host the tournament. Paolo Pacini: “We celebrate 20 years of activity.”

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Cecina.
 

On Friday, October 31, Collemezzano hosted the official draw of Vino Euro 2026, the European Championship of Winemakers — an event that will bring together ten national teams competing from June 2 to 7, 2026, in the sports facilities of Cecina and Venturina.

Numerous guests attended the event, organized by Paolo Pacini, president of the Italian Winemakers’ National Team “11 del Vino,” together with Luigi Brunetti, owner of the AgriHotel. Among the participants were Cecina’s mayor Lia Burgalassi, councillor Roberto Gori, Bibbona’s mayor Massimo Fedeli, the presidents of the Bolgheri, Antinori, and Suvereto wine consortia (Daniele Petricci), and several other representatives of the wine world.

 

After a short introduction, Robert Lönarz, president of the Union of European National Football Teams of Winemakers (UENFW), which is based in Germany, took the floor. He expressed gratitude to all participants whose sporting and professional contributions help to enhance the event.
 

“We are celebrating 20 years of activity,” said Lönarz — a milestone marked together with Pacini and Brunetti over a glass of red wine — “because our goal is to unite sport and our winemaking tradition.”

Previous VinoEuro tournaments have always included discussions on topics such as the impact of climate change on wine production, supported by collaborations with the Universities of Pisa, Maribor, and Geisenheim.

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The 2026 edition will once again provide an opportunity for exchange and friendship, promoting cultural, touristic, and economic value for the host region. According to organizers, the tournament will attract around 3,000 visitors over five days.

The cities of Cecina and Bibbona emphasized that their administrations are delighted to support the event, which strengthens tourism and highlights local wineries.

 

The official group draw produced the following pairings:

• Group A: Italy, France, Czech Republic, Romania, and Portugal

• Group B: Hungary, Slovenia, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria

 

In addition to the matches, conferences and winery visits are planned, since Tuscany — a region beloved and renowned worldwide for its landscape, culture, and wines — will serve as a natural stage for conviviality, hospitality, and participation.

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At the end of the evening, a toast brought the event to a close. Among those present was Giovanni Giannone, delegate of the Provincial Sports Committee (CONI), who officially concluded the press conference in Collemezzano.