In Tirano, nearly 6,000 glasses served for 1,300 visitors, with takings up 21%. Representing 15 Italian regions.

Nearly 6,000 glasses served, 1,300 visitors and takings up 21%: this is the rundown for Eroico Rosso 2026, the Festival of Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG, held in Tirano on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November. An edition with 21 wineries taking part in person and an audience from 14 countries and 15 Italian regions.

From Brazil to Cambodia, the origins of the participants show the international reach the Festival has achieved. On the Italian front, Lombardy leads participation, followed by Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Lazio, Sicily, Apulia and Tuscany.

The tasting route through the palaces and courtyards of the historic centre gave visitors the chance to meet the producers directly, discover the different expressions of Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG, and enjoy an experience that highlights the connection between the wine, the town of Tirano, and the Valtellina wine-growing landscape.

The two masterclasses on Sunday, hosted at Palazzo Salis, welcomed a total of 70 participants. Adua Villa presented «The quintessence», featuring wines from the winery La Grazia. Meanwhile, Mattia Asperti led «The different faces of Sforzato», dedicated to Plozza. Later that same day, 60 guests took part in a wine trekking experience among the Nebbiolo vineyards.

The results come at the end of a seven-month relaunch project, launched just as the Winter Olympics were coming to a close. The campaign generated 5 million social media views, while the Eroico Rosso website recorded 49,000 visits in the thirty days prior to the Festival opening.

«This edition confirms that our decision to rethink Eroico Rosso—strengthening its identity and the quality of what’s on offer—was the right one», says Stefania Stoppani, Mayor of Tirano. «We wanted to put producers, the area and the town at the centre, offering an authentic, immersive experience. The results we’ve achieved encourage us to carry on down this path and show how events of real quality can act as a strategic lever for promoting tourism and supporting the local economy».

Information: www.eroicorosso.it