The movement started in Piemonte nine years ago when a group of young Italian women whose families had vineyards got together socially in Asti. It slowly grew in numbers every year until 2024 when it went national with the formation of an association named Sbarbatelle. A new body of women Italian winemakers was born, and last month, 17 of them came to London for their first overseas event, where they showed their wines to British buyers, media and educators.
A walk-around tasting of their wines during the day at Cornus was followed by drinks and dinner at the Michelin-starred restaurant in Victoria. The event was the brainchild of the wine director there, Melania Battiston, herself an Italian, who had promoted Sbarbatelle’s first big get-together in Italy two years ago.
Sbarbatelle board member, Marianna Velenosi of Velenosi (Marche), looking for UK distribution
“This is the first event for us outside Italy, and it’s all thanks to Melania,” Marianna Velenosi, a board member of the association, said. “She gave us the opportunity to use Cornus for the tasting and have the dinner after. About half of us here tonight don’t have distribution in the UK, so we are searching for importers. I export our Velenosi wines to other countries all over Europe, but not here yet.”
Marianna is not the winemaker for her family’s winery but the strategic marketing manager. Most of the 110 members of the association are winemakers or viticulturists, but other trade professionals are welcome as long as they or their families own the winery and they are directly involved in the business. In addition, they must be under 40 to join. Once they reach 40, they must resign.
The Velenosi winery is in Ascoli Piceno in the Marche, and only two regions in Italy - Calabria and Molise - do not yet have members of Sbarbatelle (translated as 'saplings'). “There was a third region without a member until recently - Alto Adige - but a girl came up to our booth at VinItaly last month and joined up,” Velenosi revealed. Members all pay an annual subscription.
Alessandra Bolmida of Silvano Bolmida (Alba)
The association organises several workshops and masterclasses for members throughout the year, with its flagship event held in Piemonte every year over a mid-summer weekend. The 2026 festival will be on 21-22 June at Tenuta Marchese Alfieri in Asti, with over 200 wines from some 75 producers available for tasting. Tickets are available online.
Velenosi explained how the whole idea had kicked off. “Many early members were daughters of winemakers in Piemonte, and most knew each other through school or wine events. Most were the same age, and had the same interests. There were good vibes about sharing information, meeting up and going out together. We wanted to be together to share experiences, opinions and suggestions.”
