The 30th edition of the Vinitaly Design Award will open under the banner of art, vision, and responsibility, with Michelangelo Pistoletto appointed as Honorary President of the Jury for the 2026 competition. Dedicated to excellence in packaging design for wine, spirits, beer, and olive oil, the award places renewed emphasis on design as a cultural language and a driver of sustainability and future-focused thinking.

Pistoletto is regarded as one of the most influential figures in contemporary art. Through decades of work, including the iconic Mirror Paintings and the social transformation initiatives of Cittadellarte – Fondazione Pistoletto, he has consistently explored the relationship between art, society, and sustainability. His appointment brings a broader cultural lens to the Vinitaly Design Award, positioning packaging not only as a commercial tool but also as a medium of communication, responsibility, and aesthetic reflection.

His connection to the world of wine is well established. In 2010, Pistoletto created a sculpture for Ornellaia’s Vendemmia d’Artista series, later sold at a Sotheby’s charity auction for £80,000. This work highlighted his view of wine as one of humanity’s oldest cultural expressions, rooted in land, labour, and tradition, and aligned with his concept of “regenerative art.”

The 2026 jury will include 25 experts from design, journalism, and the packaging and food and wine sectors, alongside a technical-scientific committee comprising enology, law, design education, and packaging experts. Mario Di Paolo will lead the award's artistic direction.

The competition is now officially open, with registrations accepted until March 11, 2026. An early bird rate is available until December 31, 2025. The anniversary edition will also introduce three new special prizes: Sustainability, SOLEXPO for olive oil packaging, and Best Student’s Work, aimed at encouraging emerging talent in packaging design.