Italian luxury chocolatier Venchi has unveiled its 2026 Lunar New Year “Cheerful Collection,” a limited-edition series of gifting options themed around the Year of the Horse, symbolizing progress and dynamism. The collection seamlessly blends Venchi’s century-and-a-half-old artisanal chocolate craft with vibrant festive aesthetics and features an exclusive culinary collaboration with Hong Kong’s two-Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant, Run, at The St. Regis. This partnership introduces two innovative, tea-infused Italian gelato flavors, aiming to offer consumers a blend of heritage and modern indulgence for the upcoming holiday season.
The “Cheerful Collection” draws direct inspiration from the auspicious Year of the Horse, employing a powerful palette of crimson and gold, accented by dynamic depictions of galloping steeds. This visual synergy is designed to evoke prosperity and onward momentum, aligning traditional Lunar New Year blessings with Venchi’s commitment to high-quality confectionery.
Cross-Cultural Culinary Innovation
A highlight of this year’s offering is the collaboration with Run, the highly acclaimed Cantonese restaurant in Hong Kong. This partnership transcends typical festive pairings by introducing two bespoke Italian gelato flavors inspired by the refined imperial tea ceremonies of the Song and Qing dynasties.
The resulting gelato creations are:
- Strawberry Oolong Gelato: Characterized by its delicate elegance and clean, fruity notes intertwined with the aromatic depth of oolong tea.
- Osmanthus Jasmine Tea Gelato: Boasting a rich fragrance, this flavor harmonizes the sweet, heady scent of osmanthus flowers with the subtle complexity of jasmine-infused tea, all within the creamy Italian texture.
These unique gelato flavors, which marry ancient Chinese tea culture with Italian dessert mastery, are available for limited purchase across select Venchi outlets in Hong Kong and Macau starting January 16, 2026.
Gifting Range Embraces Festive Tradition and Modern Fun
Beyond the core chocolates, Venchi designed the packaging to embody Chinese festive customs, incorporating elements like the traditional “Chung Hoi” (Chinese New Year sweet box), modern blind boxes, and symbolic “Fuk” (Fortune) motifs.
The extensive range of gift boxes caters to diverse preferences, from opulent family assortments to playful, themed items:
- Chocolate Treat Boxes ($280 HKD): Available in “Fuk” (Fortune) character and colorful horse motif designs, each containing ten classic chocolates.
- Lucky Sign Box ($260 HKD): A novelty pack designed like a traditional fortune cylinder, including classic Chocoviar and Cremino chocolates, complete with commemorative spring couplets.
- Gong Hei Fat Choy Bag ($435 HKD): A practical yet stylish red circular handbag containing ten chocolates, echoing the congratulatory phrase, “Wish You Prosperity.”
- Tiered and Specialty Collections: These include the lavish Luxury Double-Layer Gift Box ($1,100 HKD), featuring 58 pieces of assorted chocolates, and the Gilded Blind Box ($758 HKD), a twenty-five-compartment drawer box offering daily surprises leading up to the holiday.
- Artisanal Hand-Made Chocolate Boxes: Round boxes featuring 9-piece ($235 HKD) and 41-piece ($820 HKD) selections of exquisite Italian handmade pralines.
For large-scale corporate or family gifting, two premium hampers are available: the Joyful Harvest Hamper ($1,988 HKD) and the ultra-premium Galloping Good Fortune Hamper ($2,688 HKD), which includes chocolates, chocolate spread, and sparkling wine.
The “Cheerful Collection” is now available for purchase at Venchi physical stores across Hong Kong and Macau, as well as via the official Venchi online store. Pricing for individual Italian gelato tubs ranges from $65 HKD for a two-flavor mini size to $410 HKD for a 1000g family pack. With its thoughtful blend of Italian craftsmanship and meaningful Lunar New Year symbolism, Venchi presents a sophisticated option for festive celebrations and gift-giving in 2026.