Fifth Anniversary of the Wine Travel Awards: New Season, New Names, New Horizons
On December 15, 2025, the Fifth Anniversary Edition of the Wine Travel Awards (WTA) 2025–2026 will be launched. The Organizing Committee continues its exciting journey through the world of wine and gastronomic tourism, meeting remarkable personalities, businesses, and destinations that shape the global WTA community.
The formation of the WTA Jury this year is reaching its final stage. We are proud of every one of the outstanding professionals in the field of enogastronomy who have joined the committee. With great pleasure, we announce a new name – Christian Zechmeister (Austria). The rest of the jury members have once again decided to support our project, which eloquently demonstrates the stability of interest in wine tourism and the strength of the friendly community we have built across 45 countries worldwide. And we are confident that this number will grow further this year, as the season has only just begun!
WTA Jury 2025–2026
The jury includes renowned professionals from the wine and wine tourism industry, among them:
Christian Zechmeister (Austria) – Managing Director of Wein Burgenland, who has significantly expanded the global visibility of Austria’s wines, especially Blaufränkisch and sweet specialties. With more than 20 years in wine marketing and international partnerships, he is a respected voice in European premium wine tourism.
Wine Tourism in Austria (Burgenland): Burgenland has invested heavily in wine routes that combine tastings with cultural events. Each year, more than 250,000 wine tourists visit Austria, with Burgenland standing out for its Blaufränkisch reds and noble sweet wines.
Marinela Ardelean (Romania) – Executive MBA, PhD in Marketing, founder of RO‑Wine Festival, and one of Romania’s most prominent wine promoters. Her work has positioned Romanian wines on the premium and luxury market, while her books highlight innovative cross‑cultural pairings.
Wine Tourism in Romania: Romania’s wine tourism is gaining momentum, particularly in Dealu Mare and Transylvania. Festivals such as RO‑Wine have become central to the country’s appeal, drawing international visitors and showcasing premium wines.
Dr. Matthew Horkey (USA) – Author, founder of a popular YouTube wine channel, wine educator, and jury member at global competitions. Known for his motto “Bringing FUN back to the world of WINE!”, he has published three books and thousands of videos, making wine accessible to a global audience.
Wine Tourism in the United States: California alone generates more than $20 billion annually from wine travel, with Napa Valley welcoming over three million visitors each year. Oregon and Washington are also attracting new waves of tourists thanks to their distinctive terroirs and boutique wineries.
Dr. Ricardo F. Nunez (Argentina/ Spain / Italy / Ukraine) – Head of Vinos de La Luz, uniting wineries in Argentina, Spain, Italy, USA and Ukraine. As a grandson and son of winemakers, he grew up in the vineyards of the Andean Cordilleras and explored every corner of the Uco Valley. Dr. Nunez is an investor participating in the development of the wine-growing market of Ukraine, also thanks to his new company Big Wines. Dr. Nunez in 2025 received the OIV Merit Award for strengthening ties between Ukraine and the global wine community.
Wine Tourism in Argentina: Mendoza and the Uco Valley draw more than a million visitors annually. Tastings are combined with eco‑tourism and mountain adventures, while Malbec remains the country’s flagship.
Wine Tourism in Spain: Spain invites travellers to savour legendary wine routes – from Rioja’s rolling vineyards to Catalonia’s cava cellars – each glass steeped in centuries of tradition.
Wine Tourism in Ukraine: Despite Russia’s ongoing aggression, Ukraine is carving out a reputation as one of Europe’s most intriguing new wine destinations. From Transcarpathia’s terroirs to Bessarabia’s Danube vineyards and Kyiv’s artisan estates, 70 new wineries – almost all craft producers – have opened in the past three years.
Richard Bampfield MW (UK) – Master of Wine, consultant for Lidl and Burgundy’s Albert Bichot, and advocate for sustainability. He is a respected educator, writer, and influential figure in wine commentary and evaluation.
Wine Tourism in the United Kingdom: Vineyard visits rose by 55 per cent in 2024–2025, with 1.5 million recorded visits last year. English sparkling wine has become a major attraction, and wine tourism now accounts for around a quarter of vineyard revenues.
Paul Wagner (USA) – Senior Wine Tourism Consultant for Expedia Cruise Ship Centres, educator at Napa Valley College, and founder of Balzac Communications. He has shaped global wine brands and pioneered wine cruises.
Wine Tourism on Cruises: Wine cruises are now a distinct segment, combining tastings, lectures and gastronomic tours. In 2025, the cruise industry will welcome 37.7 million passengers, with wine cruises a growing driver of global wine tourism.
Stéphane Badet (France) – Bordeaux wine economist and lecturer at ISVV, specialising in wine economy, marketing and tourism. An honorary WTA jury member since its founding.
Wine Tourism in France: Bordeaux remains the capital of wine tourism, offering eco‑villas and curated tours in Saint‑Émilion and Cognac. Burgundy continues to attract visitors with Grand Cru routes and the new Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne, which won a WTA award in 2025.
Prof Gergely Szolnoki (Germany/Greece) – Professor at Geisenheim University, expert in consumer behaviour, organic wines and wine tourism.
Wine Tourism in Germany: Rheingau, Mosel and Pfalz welcomed more than three million visitors in 2025, combining vineyard tours with cultural festivals.
Wine Tourism in Greece: Attica, the Peloponnese and Crete are leading the way, with tours that combine vineyards, local cuisine and ancient heritage.
Per Karlsson (Sweden/France) – Internationally awarded wine journalist and co‑founder of BKWine Tours. Author of thirteen books, he is a long‑standing WTA jury member.
Wine Tourism in Sweden: Still emerging, Sweden’s wine tourism has gained attention in Skåne and Gotland, offering distinctive northern terroirs.
Yang Shen (China/New Zealand) – Estate Director of Cloudy Bay (LVMH), promoting New Zealand’s terroir globally.
Wine Tourism in New Zealand: Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay and Central Otago are the most visited regions, offering immersive tours that highlight distinctive terroirs.
Wine Tourism in China: Ningxia and Shandong are combining wine routes with cultural events, positioning China as an emerging player in global wine tourism.
Felicity Carter (Europe) – Founder of Drinks Insider, Editorial Director of Areni Global, and award‑winning writer and communicator.
International Wine Tourism: According to the Global Wine Tourism Report 2025, more than 47 countries and 1,300 wineries now offer structured wine tourism programmes, expanding at 10–12 per cent annually.
Robert Joseph (UK) – Consultant, wine brand creator, author of over 30 books, and long‑standing WTA jury member.
Food and Wine Tourism in the UK: Britain’s wine tourism sector was valued at $15.5 billion in 2025, with forecasts suggesting it could reach $43.5 billion by 2035.
Wine Tourism in Georgia: Georgia continues to position itself as the “cradle of wine”. Kakheti has emerged as the premium hub, with wine tourism growing at 5–6 per cent annually.
A Milestone Season. Another highlight of the season is the change of location for the Award Ceremony, with details to be revealed soon.
At the same time, WTA remains committed to its presence at the world’s key wine arenas: ProWein, Wine Paris, and the London Wine Fair.
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