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#WeekInPictures: Italian discoveries and Vagabond’s Soho debut

19 June 2026 By James Bayley

This week saw Italian wine regions and producers showcase everything from Tuscan Sangiovese to Lugana’s Turbiana whites. Elsewhere, Vagabond Wines opened its largest venue to date in Soho and Andreola revealed an ambitious still wine project in the Belluno Dolomites.

Laura Principiano named Young Winemaker of the Year

Laura Principiano, head winemaker at Zuccardi Valle de Uco, was named Young Winemaker of the Year in Tim Atkin MW’s 2025 Argentina Special Report. Atkin praised Principiano’s role in the development of the acclaimed winery and her contribution to understanding and expressing the terroirs of the Uco Valley. Since becoming head winemaker in 2014, she has overseen wines spanning Albariño, Verdejo, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, alongside some of Argentina’s most celebrated Malbecs and Cabernet Francs.

Tuscan wines meet Old Masters in London

A lunch at Colnaghi, the Old Master gallery on Bury Street, marked “In Vino Veritas”, Federico Bonezzi’s wine-and-art exhibition running to 31 July. Hosted by Tom Harrow of Honest Grapes, it introduced Tenuta Maryamado, a San Casciano ‘600-year-old startup’ spanning wine, olive oil, honey and future hospitality, with Luca D’Attoma behind wines of freshness and poise – notably Arali, a Sangiovese-Colorino aged in tonneaux; Fonteboni, crunchy Sangiovese with Canaiolo, raised in concrete and used barrels; and Rosé & Me, a Syrah rosé built to last – as the estate seeks a UK importer.

Discovering Lugana on Lake Garda

This week saw Tim Atkin MW name Laura Principiano as Young Winemaker of the Year, while Italian wine regions and producers showcased everything from Tuscan Sangiovese to Lugana's Turbiana whites. Elsewhere, Vagabond Wines opened its largest venue to date in Soho and Andreola revealed an ambitious still wine project in the Belluno Dolomites.

Douglas Blyde travelled to the southern shores of Lake Garda to discover Lugana DOC, the Turbiana-led white wine denomination. Producers encountered included Armea, Ceresa, Citari, Cobue, Corte Sermana, Le Morette, Marangona, Montonale, Nunzio Ghiraldi, Pasini San Giovanni, Selva Capuzza, Tenuta Roveglia and Zenato. The trip encompassed a boat tour from Desenzano to Sirmione via the Grotte di Catullo and a stay at Villa Cortine, the Relais & Châteaux hotel. On 29 June, Lugana’s producers will present wines at Swan, Bankside. Register for free here.

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Andreola expands beyond Prosecco

Andreola owner Stefano Pola and head winemaker Mirco Balliana introduced db to the producer’s Belluno Dolomites project overlooking Sedico. Best known for its medal-winning Prosecco, Andreola planted a nine-hectare vineyard in 2017, which has since yielded a five-wine range including Chardonnay, Riesling and Traminer, offering a different expression of the Veneto landscape.

Vagabond opens largest venue in Soho

Vagabond Wines has opened its largest venue to date in Soho, occupying a 6,000 sq ft site on Ganton Street. Backed by Majestic Wine Group and Fortress Investment Group, the venue combines immersive design with the brand’s signature self-pour wine system.

Guests can explore 140 wines by the glass, including wines produced at Vagabond’s Urban Winery in Canada Water. The opening follows the winery being named Producer of the Year at the Independent English Wine Awards and forms part of the company’s ambition to attract a younger generation of wine drinkers through technology-led experiences.

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