A vintage opportunity: why italian wineries are ripe for international club deals

Uncorking italy’s liquid gold

Italy, a land synonymous with unparalleled craftsmanship and timeless elegance, is currently presenting a compelling tableau for astute international investors. While global economic currents ebb and flow, the nation’s illustrious wine sector remains a beacon of stability and burgeoning opportunity. For those with a keen eye on high-return assets and a palate for exquisite tradition, investing in Italian wineries through structured club deals represents a strategically sound and culturally rich proposition. This approach marries the allure of Italy’s luxury food and beverage market with attractive financial frameworks designed to welcome foreign capital.

A spirited market: numbers and novelties

The Italian wine industry, an economic powerhouse, generated a staggering turnover of €14.5 billion In 2024, with its total direct and indirect economic impact reaching €45.2 billion, contributing 1.1% to Italy’s GDP (Fonte: uIV-Vinitaly Observatory, April 2025). Exports are a significant driver, hitting a record €8.1 billion In 2024, marking a 6% increase over 2023, with approximately 22 million hectoliters shipped abroad (Fonte: wineNews, April 2025). The United States remains the largest export market, with Italian wine shipments to the U.S. Rising by 10.2% in value and 7% in volume in 2024 (Fonte: ismea, March 2025). Germany, the UK, and Canada also represent robust export destinations (Fonte: wineNews, April 2025).

A notable trend is the exceptional performance of sparkling wines, which constituted 29% of the total exported value in 2024 (Fonte: wineNews, April 2025). Prosecco DOP, for instance, saw an 11.2% growth, reaching a value of €519 million, contributing about one-fifth of all global Italian wine imports (Fonte: iSTAT, Sep 2024). While domestic consumption volumes saw a slight decline of 1.5% in 2024 (Fonte: uIV-Vinitaly Observatory, April 2025), the premium wine segment continues to thrive, with very high/premium range wines growing by 12.7% in 2023 (Fonte: osservatorio Uiv-Ismea, July 2024). Moreover, the market is embracing sustainability, with organic wines achieving a 5.4% market share in 2023 (Fonte: osservatorio Uiv-Ismea, July 2024). Investment in the sector is evident, as seen in the recent €23 million Winery inauguration in Tuscany by entrepreneur Alejandro Bulgheroni (Fonte: tenute Agricole 24, July 2025). This signals confidence in the long-term value and quality of Italian viticulture, particularly in renowned regions like Tuscany and Piedmont (Fonte: cultX, 2024). Wine tourism is also flourishing, with a 9% rise in revenues in 2024, enhancing the value proposition of winery assets (Fonte: mediobanca Research Area, Feb 2025). These dynamics underscore a market that, despite facing evolving consumer preferences and climate challenges, is actively innovating and attracting significant capital (Fonte: live in Italy Magazine, Nov 2024). The need for wineries to invest in renewal and innovation creates ripe opportunities for strategic acquisitions and partnerships (Fonte: live in Italy Magazine, Nov 2024). Acquisitions such as Tommasi’s partnership with Felluga and Begali’s acquisition of Ca’ Bianca demonstrate ongoing consolidation and strategic moves within the sector (Fonte: gambero Rosso, March 2024).

The club deal advantage: a gateway to italian excellence

For international investors, the club deal structure offers a particularly advantageous entry point into the Italian wine landscape. Club deals facilitate significant acquisitions by pooling resources from a select group of investors, thereby mitigating individual risk and enhancing collective bargaining power. This model is ideal for targeting prestigious, high-potential wineries that might otherwise be beyond the reach of a single investor, providing access to exclusive opportunities in regions renowned for their quality, such as Tuscany, Piedmont, and Veneto (Fonte: tenuta Le Mandorlaie, 2024).

Italy actively supports foreign investment with a range of incentives. A Special Tax Regime for High-Net-Worth Individuals Allows new residents relocating after August 10, 2024, to pay a flat tax of €200,000 Annually on foreign-sourced income for up to 15 years (Fonte: baker McKenzie, Aug 2024). Furthermore, family members can be included for an additional €25,000 Per person, with exemptions from wealth taxes on foreign-held assets (Fonte: studio Legale Bellini, Sep 2025). For agricultural investments in Southern Italy’s Special Economic Zones (SEZ), the European Commission approved a state aid regime in November 2024, offering tax credits of up to 65% of eligible investment costs, or even 80% for projects focused on environmental or animal welfare objectives (Fonte: daily Tax Report, Nov 2024). These policies, alongside R&D and innovation tax credits, create a highly attractive environment for foreign capital (Fonte: studio Legale Bellini, Sep 2025). Navigating the legal complexities, especially for non-EU investors concerning agricultural land ownership and DOC/DOCG regulations, necessitates expert guidance to ensure a seamless and compliant investment process (Fonte: pandslegal, Oct 2024).

The convergence of a resilient, export-driven wine market, strong luxury sector growth—evidenced by luxury hospitality investments reaching 39% Of total volume in 2024 (Fonte: eY, May 2025)—and favorable governmental incentives positions Italy as a prime destination for international investors eyeing robust returns and a slice of “Made in Italy” prestige. The time is now to explore these unique club deal opportunities, transforming Italy’s rich viticultural heritage into a strategic asset within a diversified global portfolio.