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On Sunday 2 August, the long-awaited wine and food event Wine Not? returns to Sant’Andrea di Rometta. dedicated to Sicilian wine excellences (and beyond) which since 2019 has put wine and its stories at the centre. Promoted and organized by the Pro Loco Sabatina – Sant’Andrea APS, Wine Not? 2026 takes place under the patronage of the Metropolitan City of Messina, the Municipality of Rometta and UNPLI, in partnership with AIS Sicilia and Slow Food Messina APS.
The theme chosen is “A story to tell. The protagonists are the wines, the people, the territories and the companies that, with passion and competence, safeguard the winemaking heritage.
An invitation to discover wine not only through the glass, but also through the stories of those who work the land every day and interpret its identity. For this sixth edition, the charming village of Sant’Andrea di Rometta, nestled between the sea of the Strait and the greenery of the Peloritani, will host 30 companies: 28 Sicilian wineries, 2 from Umbria and Veneto and Tawny Owl, an association of bartenders who will propose a path dedicated to contemporary mixing and the culture of quality drinking, creating a dialogue between the world of wine and that of the mixology experience. There will be around a hundred labels available for tasting.
The collaboration with AIS Sicilia is also renewed for this edition, which supports the event with its sommeliers. As per tradition, AIS Taormina opened the Wine Not? program. with a masterclass which, year after year, has become an unmissable event in the lead-up to the event.
Gioele Micali, events manager of AIS Sicilia and delegate of AIS Taormina, together with his colleague Letizia Rizzo, head of teaching at AIS Taormina, on 24 July after the presentation press conference, led the passionate wine lovers on a journey “Between the valleys and the two seas: history and identity of the Whites of Messina” in the presence of the producers Michele Vasari and Stelio Verzera. Five labels from the Bonfiglio, Vasari, Verzera, Guzman and Colosi companies will be tasted in a passionate story of the excellent productions of the Messina area.
Among the other confirmations that give prestige to the event, the participation of Slow Food Messina APS, which will take care of the food area with a selection of gastronomic proposals designed to enhance local production and the meeting between wine, food and territory. The specialties of Casa and Putia, Non solo Cibus will be present; Frangipane, Luigi Pastificio e Cucina, Laganà 1968 Artisans of flavour, Caseificio Zaiti, Torre Food; Demetra Association, Marmelada Sweet Bistrot, Miceli Cafè Venetico. The system is that of tokens with which to purchase the various savory and sweet specialties.
This year too, the public will be the protagonist with the awarding of the “V2 Data Wine Not? 2026” Awards, a recognition that highlights the most popular labels of the event. On August 2, at the end of the evening, all participants will be able to express their preference through a QR Code, contributing to the awarding of prizes by popular vote. The wines and products that have obtained the greatest consensus in the various categories being tasted will be rewarded: whites, rosés, reds, sparkling wines, spirits, flavored and fortified wines. A moment that celebrates the taste of visitors and the value of the participating companies.
To enrich the program there will also be the art collective “Visioni mediterranee”, with the exhibition of the works of Rosario Rasà, Giovanna Campolo, Fulvia Francesca Rocca and Maria Raffa, and the live music of the band Mr. Kite and the DJ set of Peppe Scionty and the DP Bros.
With Wine Not? wine becomes an opportunity for meeting, sharing and storytelling. Each glass preserves the history of a territory and its producers, transforming the village into a place of celebration and conviviality. An event capable of attracting young people, families and enthusiasts, who choose to experience an evening of good wine, live music and street food proposals, in an authentic and engaging atmosphere.
The event was illustrated in the presence of the institutions
The 2026 edition was presented on 24 July in the evocative setting of the village, in front of the Church of the Madonna del Sabato. The program was illustrated by Giuseppe Marmino, vice president of the Pro Loco Sabatina, and Antonio Borghetti, organizational manager of the event. The press conference, moderated by the food and wine journalist Valeria Zingale, was attended by the mayor of Rometta Antonino Cirino, the UNPLI provincial delegate Patrizia Di Perna, the AIS Taormina delegate and events manager of AIS Sicilia Gioele Micali and the president of Slow Food Messina APS Nino Mostaccio.
«Every year it is always an emotion to come to Sant’Andrea for this event – stated the mayor of Rometta – which is different from all the others in the area. This is a village that exudes tradition, religion, liveliness and sharing and when it comes to wines this is the right location. I can only thank the Pro Loco Sabatina, which works to keep this beautiful village alive, understanding the sacrifices of organizing an event of this magnitude, which I care a lot about. Should Rometta be proud of Wine Not? which brings quality tourism to Rometta.”
Wine Not? represents much more than an event dedicated to wine. The event has in fact become a tool for territorial promotion, capable of enhancing the historical and cultural heritage of the village of Sant’Andrea di Rometta, transforming it into a meeting place between producers, sector operators and enthusiasts.
«I am pleased to represent UNPLI in this context – said Patrizia Di Perna – because together we do a lot. I want to congratulate you on the organization and above all on the fact that, with this event, you manage to bring this small village back to life. We, as Pro Loco, are always pleased to see events carried out that allow us to rediscover places that are often little-known. The hope is to continue working well together.”
Giuseppe Marmino, in his speech, after having thanked the authorities and the technical partners of the event and brought the greetings of the president Emanuele Borghetti and all the members, highlighted that the Pro Loco Sabatina is continuing to work actively with the aim of making Sant’Andrea di Rometta known beyond the borders of the province and Sicily, focusing on wine as an element of identity and engine of tourist, cultural and economic development. A path that over the years has led the event to gain growing institutional attention. After the presentation of the 2025 edition to the Senate of the Republic, in fact Wine Not? 2026 will also stop at the Sicilian Regional Assembly, where a meeting is scheduled in Palermo on 29 July, further recognition of the cultural and promotional value of the initiative.