Day of the Enologist to spotlight AI’s transformative impact on wine sector in Alberobello
On May 10, 2025, beginning at 9:00 AM, the IISS Agrario Alberghiero Basile Caramia – Gigante in Alberobello, Bari province, will host the Day of the Enologist, an event centred on the influence and integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the wine sector. Organised by Assoenologi’s Puglia, Basilicata, and Calabria section, the gathering reflects the association’s ongoing dedication to the technical and scientific advancement of its members and the broader wine industry in Italy.
Assoenologi, the professional body for wine sector technicians, has long prioritised both the enhancement of national wine production and its protection and promotion domestically and internationally. This event epitomises their continued commitment to equipping wine professionals with cutting-edge knowledge and tools, particularly as the role of the enologist evolves with technological advancements.
Massimo Tripaldi, President of Assoenologi Puglia Basilicata and Calabria, opened the session with remarks on the transformative potential of AI in winemaking. Speaking to the Luciano Pignataro Wine & Food Blog, Tripaldi stated, “Artificial intelligence will soon profoundly change the profession of the enologist. Increasingly a stylist, with technology at their disposal that will allow achieving set goals while optimising processes more and more. Therefore, a great opportunity to understand well and use properly and without fear.” His comments underscore the event’s aim to demystify AI tools and promote their effective utilisation among enologists.
Throughout the day, participants will engage with a series of expert contributions from distinguished figures in academia, research, law, and marketing related to the wine sector. These include Luciano Ortenzi, a professor at UNITUS and head of the Laboratory of Human Driven AI Technologies for the Environment, who will likely explore how AI technologies can be harnessed sustainably within viticulture. Riccardo Velasco, director of the Research Centre in Viticulture and Enology (CREA-VE), will provide insights into recent scientific developments impacting vineyard management and wine production.
Further perspectives will come from Mariachiara Minoia, professor at UNILUM specialising in Social Media Management for food and wine as well as a marketing and communication consultant, who will address the role of digital communication strategies in the evolving wine market landscape. Additionally, Stefano Vergano, a lawyer and member of Ugivi— the Union of Vine and Wine Lawyers—will contribute legal expertise, a vital consideration as AI adoption prompts new regulatory and compliance challenges within the sector.
The event benefits from sponsored support by key industrial and service companies including AMORIM CORK ITALIA and CARDONE REPRESENTATIONS, COSMAPACK, DAL CIN, DIEMME, EVER, HTS AND CHIMICA DEL SALENTO, LAFFORT, LAFOOD, and TN COOPERS. This alliance of stakeholders exemplifies the collaborative approach to innovation spanning technical, legal, and commercial dimensions of the wine business.
For Assoenologi members, participation in the Day of the Enologist confers six National Continuing Education Credits (CFUs), reinforcing the event’s focus on professional development and regulatory compliance.
Executives and organisers of associations, confederations, and trade bodies in the sector will note this event as a significant example of how industry-specific organisations are facilitating member engagement with emerging technologies and interdisciplinary knowledge. By creating forums centred on vital future trends such as AI, bodies like Assoenologi are actively shaping the competencies and tools their members need to thrive domestically and internationally in an increasingly sophisticated and dynamic market environment.