Porto Protocol Reviews Its Progress and Sets the Course Ahead
The Drinks+ and Wine Travel Awards teams, as partners and active members of the international Porto Protocol community, took part for the second time in the organisation’s BI‑Annual Meeting – the traditional online gathering of its global network. The event offered an opportunity to review the achievements of the first half of 2026, assess the results of collective work, hear updates on member‑led projects and gain insight into what lies ahead in the coming months.
The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from Porto Protocol’s Founder and CEO, Adrian Bridge, followed by coordinators Marta Mendonça and Cristina Crava, who presented the community’s key accomplishments and outlined its priorities moving forward.
Over the past year of membership, the Drinks+ and Wine Travel Awards teams have not only participated in regular online meetings but also met the Porto Protocol team in person. The organisation is highly active offline – hosting its own events, lectures, tastings, presentations and masterclasses, as well as participating in major international wine fairs.
At ProWein 2026, Porto Protocol curated the Sustainability Hub, where the Drinks+ team had the opportunity to meet and speak with representatives of the organisation. Porto Protocol was also present at Wine Paris, London Wine Fair, Slow Wine Fair, and organised events in Canada and Mexico.
Climate Talks and the New Generation of Winegrowers
In the first half of 2026, Porto Protocol organised 15 Climate Talks online forums featuring more than 45 international speakers. Participants presented over twenty practical solutions addressing the most pressing challenges in contemporary wine production.
A new format – the New Generation Climate Talks – was launched in France, Italy, Portugal and California, held in local languages. The central theme, Leading Sustainability in Wine, brought together representatives of the new generation of winegrowing families, who shared their experience in implementing sustainable practices and adapting to climate change.
“Saving Every Drop in Wine” – The Landmark Release of the Year
The organisation’s most significant achievement in the first half of the year was the publication of Saving Every Drop in Wine – a comprehensive 200‑page study dedicated to responsible water management in viticulture and winemaking.
Drinks.ua was among the first to announce the release. The report includes analytical insights, practical case studies and 28 solutions for efficient water management – from vineyard to winery. Twelve experts and 39 Porto Protocol members contributed to the study, including participants of the Wine Travel Awards, with material covering 19 wine regions worldwide. The report is available for free download.
Porto Protocol and Wine Travel Awards: A Growing Collaboration
A dedicated segment of the meeting focused on the collaboration between Porto Protocol and the Wine Travel Awards.
In the 2025–2026 season, under the patronage of Porto Protocol, seven members of the international eco‑community were nominated in the Progressive Approach category – recognising wineries that operate with forward‑thinking methods, including modern sustainable and ecological practices.
Two of these nominees – Spier Wine Farm (South Africa) and Tablas Creek Vineyard (USA) – became winners of the Wine Travel Awards, while Fattoria La Maliosa (Italy) was among the public‑vote winners. These three estates were highlighted during the meeting as exemplary leaders of sustainability and innovation, and their achievements sparked active discussion among participants.
Notably, Fattoria La Maliosa will host the first‑ever Porto Protocol Community Day in Tuscany, scheduled for 14 November 2026 – an event announced during the BI‑Annual Meeting. The gathering will be open to all Porto Protocol members and will serve as a platform for sharing experiences, presenting sustainable practices, tasting sessions and exploring new formats of collaboration.
What Lies Ahead
Among the key projects for the second half of the year, Porto Protocol announced:
- continuation of the international Living Vineyards Tour: A Regenerative Journey Across Europe;
- global promotion of Saving Every Drop in Wine, already downloaded more than 1,500 times;
- preparation of the new publication 101 Climate Solutions for Wine;
- organisation of the UK sommelier competition Wine for the Future;
- development of additional international educational and environmental initiatives.
A Community That Drives Change
The Porto Protocol team emphasised that the organisation’s greatest strength lies in its members and ambassadors across the world. Coordinators encouraged all participants to be more active – to join events, share their practices and solutions, propose topics for future meetings and invite new members.
The organisation also reminded attendees of opportunities to support its mission through membership contributions (starting at €95 per year), charitable donations or sponsorship of events. Another way to contribute is by participating in the Porto Protocol Auction, scheduled for 15 October 2026 at WOW Porto.
Join the International Community
Porto Protocol and Wine Travel Awards unite professionals who believe that the future of wine is inseparable from international cooperation, environmental responsibility and continuous knowledge exchange.
We invite you to join Porto Protocol and take part in the new Wine Travel Awards season 2026–2027. Together, we create new values and strengthen the global wine industry.
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