A taste of Italy: Nairobi hosts top wine roadshow

‘Anni e bicchieri di vino non si contano mai’ is an Italian adage that says age and glasses of wine should never be counted; a riveting quote that captures Kenya's wine culture over the years.

Gambero Rosso, a leading company promoting Italian food and wine, hosted the Top Italian Wine Roadshow in Nairobi for the second consecutive year.

The event showcased 45 wineries that represent the vast part of Italy where wine connoisseurs took turns around the barn as they sampled the free wines and engaged in conversations regarding the wine industry in Kenya.

Held at the quaint Shamba Village in Loresho, the invite-only event involved masterclasses in the morning for guided tasting sessions followed by the grand opening with the Italian ambassador to Kenya, Roberto Natale in the afternoon. 

Victoria Molo Munywoki, Kenyan partner, Gambero Rosso International, pointed out that 54 per cent of the wineries from last year's event returned for the 2025 event, highlighting the growth in wine culture locally.

"Africa is a salient market but there's a lot of fear so every producer must have the confidence to come into the market knowing that they have the potential of getting an importer and their wines will be appreciated by wine lovers," Munywoki said. 

Giuseppe Carlos, Editor in Chief, Gambero Rosso International, highlighted that Kenya's interest and knowledge in wine culture paved the way for the event to be held in Nairobi for two consecutive years; a historic first.

"Last year's event was incredible and that's why we decided to return for this year's event," he noted. 

With a keen focus on introducing Italian wines to importers, distributors and other business leaders, the event showcased Kenya's command in the wine industry. 

"This is just the hub. Kenya not only serves the local market but also Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, and Burundi. You're going to see a lot more of this but these were the trailblazers," Munywoki added.

Global data indicates that Kenya is steadily rising in becoming a major player in the wine industry. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), Kenya imported Ksh.3 billion in wine, becoming the 74th largest wine importer globally.

Kenya primarily imports wine from South Africa, France, Italy, Spain and Argentina. 

In contrast, Kenya exported Ksh.206 million in wine during the same year, becoming the 73rd largest exporter in the world. 

Wine experts project that these figures will rise significantly as the market yearns for quality and diversity.