We invite dynamic and innovative entrepreneurs to explore new opportunities and revitalize their businesses in the wake of the pandemic. Reboot your project and refresh your connections! The Wine Travel Awards welcome you to participate in one or more of our six exciting nominations.
Robert Joseph (UK) – Acclaimed author and wine critic, founder of numerous competitions, and a respected jury member for prestigious events such as the London Wine Challenge and Decanter, as well as a distinguished jury member of the WTA since its inaugural edition.
Felicity Carter (Australia) – Executive Editor at Pix, was previously Editor-in-Chief of Meininger’s Wine Business International, the world’s only global wine business magazine. Her work has appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspapers, and The Guardian USA, among others. Based in Europe, she is an international wine judge and speaker. Felicity has also written several non-wine books and worked as a freelance romance novel editor, where her main editorial note was “this is not physically possible”. A distinguished jury member of the WTA since its inaugural edition.
Mr. Yang Shen (China, New Zealand) – Estate Director of Cloudy Bay (one of New Zealand’s most outstanding wineries, part of the LVMH group – the world leader in the luxury industry). Born in China, he studied oenology at the University of Montpellier and wine marketing at the Montesquieu University Bordeaux, although his introduction to fine wine had begun long before that, in his native Chengdu. Throughout his career, Mr. Shen held top positions at Moët Hennessy, Diageo and Chandon China. “My mission at Cloudy Bay is to create wines of exceptional quality that highlight and express New Zealand’s distinctive terroir.” For the second year, Mr. Yang Shen has been an honorary member of the WTA jury.
Per Karlsson (Sweden) – Co-founder and wine writer of BKWine Magazine, one of the world’s leading wine tour operators, a co-author of twelve wine books (including “Biodynamic, Organic and Natural Winemaking: Sustainable Viticulture and Viniculture”), an internationally awarded, professional wine and travel photographer. Per Karlsson has been a distinguished jury member of the WTA since its inaugural edition.
Gergely Szolnoki (Greece, Germany) – Professor of Market Research at Geisenheim University (Germany) and honorary professor of Wine and Beverage Management & Marketing at the University of West Attica (Athens/Greece). His research fields cover consumer behaviour, communication and social media, organic wines, market analysis and wine tourism. In addition to his scientific activities, Gergely is a delegated expert in the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) in the fields of wine economics and statistics. Since the beginning of the unique Wine Travel Awards project activity, Professor Szolnoki has been its respected judge.
Stéphane Badet (France) – Lecturer at ISVV – Institute of Vine and Wine Science at the University of Bordeaux, one of the world’s leading educational institutions, as well as a lecturer at such a prestigious university as EPL Bordeaux. He specializes in wine economy, industry management, business, marketing and tourism for many years, has extensive experience as an expert and consultant in various cooperation and sustainable development programs in the field of winemaking around the world, together with Interco NA, FAO, Ministry of Agriculture and Food of France, French and German embassies. Since the first year of the WTA’s founding, Stéphane Badet has been an honorary member of its jury.
Paul Wagner (USA) – Distinguished leader in the wine industry, celebrated for his strategic acumen, marketing innovation, and extensive involvement in wine tourism and education. He has been an instructor for Napa Valley College’s Viticulture and Winery Technology Department for thirty years. He is also a guest lecturer at many universities, such as the Wintour MBA program in Europe, OIV Wine Marketing Master Class at UC Davis, and the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. Paul Wagner now works as a Senior Wine Tourism Consultant for Expedia Cruise Ship Centers. Being the founder of Balzac Communications & Marketing, he has been highly influential in boosting global wine brands through creative promotional campaigns. His book, “Wine Marketing & Sales,” co-written with Liz Thach and Janeen Olsen, addresses the complexities of a saturated market and sets industry benchmarks.
Richard Bampfield MW (UK) – Master of Wine with a rich background in international wine education and consultancy. He is a profound expert, writer and is regarded as an influential figure in wine commentary and evaluation. His early career in retail paved the way for a deeper involvement in the wine business, especially when he was managing Brown Brothers’ European operations. Richard advises numerous clients, including wine producers and retailers. He is a fervent advocate for sustainability, contributing to global initiatives such as the Sustainable Wine Roundtable, which aims to foster more collaboration between all links in wine’s value chain.
Paul Robert Blom (Netherlands) – Celebrated wine and spirits expert, started his distinguished career in Amsterdam in 1965 and has since become a pivotal figure in wine judging and education. From 1978 until 2009 Paul Robert was a lecturer at the Wine Academy for Central Europe. For over five decades, he has worked as a judge at major wine competitions around the world. Paul Robert’s collaborations with notable figures like Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson have enriched influential wine publications, including the “Pocket Book on Wine” and the “World Wine Atlas.” He has been credited with prestigious recognitions such as the title of “Ridder in de Orde van Oranje-Nassau.” Paul Robert Blom was named the first ever “wine personality of the Balkans”. In 2008 Blom received the award of ‘Register Vinoloog of the Wijnacademie HONORIS CAUSA – Third person in Holland ever to receive this award.
Dr. Matthew Horkey (USA) – Wine educator and content creator. He holds an advanced certification from WSET. Matthew’s deep understanding of the world’s wine regions has made him a sought-after judge for wine competitions in many countries. Dr. Matthew Horkey is the co-founder of Exotic Wine Travel, co-author of Uncorking the Caucasus: Wines of Turkey, Armenia, and Georgia and Sipping Santa Barbara: Recommended Wines and Producers. He is also the author of Travel Learn Earn: Let the World Be Your Guide to Freedom. He is currently traveling the world full-time, shedding light on the world’s exotic and unique wine regions. An experienced public speaker, he’s been a guest speaker at the American University of Rome, Life University, and various companies including Microsoft, TripAdvisor, Norton Rose, and JP Morgan.
Marinela Ardelean (Romania) – One of the most prominent promoters of Romanian wines. The owner of an efficient MBA and a PHD in Marketing and of various certifications in wine and business. The organizer of RO-Wine, the International Wine Festival of Romania, which is the first Romanian autochthonous wine festival exclusively oriented towards premium and luxury wine markets. Marinela Ardelean`s book compares Romanian wines with the Italian cuisine, demonstrates innovative approach to cross-cultural culinary pairings and underscores her deep appreciation for Italian culture. Her awards include: Winner of “Best Romanian Sommelier” Award in 2014; Gourmand Drinks Awards in 2015; the CONAF Gala “Women in Economy – Day by day Heroes” in 2023 and others.
Filippo Magnani (Italy) – Italian wine travel expert. A graduate of the University of Economics in Florence, he later earned his MBA from Brighton University. Magnani holds credentials from the prestigious Le Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux and WSET in London. An active member of several wine associations and serves as a judge at international wine contests. Founded company Fufluns Wine Tours, specializing in customized wine tours throughout Italy. As an independent wine writer, Filippo Magnani contributes to several esteemed publications, including Liz Palmer’s site and “The Beauty of the Wine in Canada”, “Wine Channel in China”, “Vinum in Croatia”, and “Decanter”. He has his own personal blog “Tales Behind the Wine”, where he offers extensive insights into Italy’s wine heritage. He is a proud member of the Circle of Wine Writers and the International Federation of Wine and Spirits Journalists and Writers.
It’s very simple.
The Wine Travel Awards nominee can be a subject / object from anywhere in the world that meets the category profile. Nomination takes place in six nominations, each of which has its own set of categories. You can choose one or several nominations at once and any of the categories listed below – and apply for self-nomination or nominate other companies or personalities, having agreed with them in advance.
In case of choosing several nominations, the most loyal conditions are provided by our financial policy.
(Destinations, wineries, national brands, establishments with a wine program: hotels, localfood restaurants, bars, museums of wines and specialties, tasting rooms)
Category: Outstanding place marked on the wine and gastronomic route / Must visit
Category profile: Individual objects or destinations located on tourist routes, and which are the enogastronomic attractions of the region can be nominated for this category. Drinks and food presented by the nominee have a high level of quality confirmed by reputable competitions and experts. And the object itself has an active marketing policy and is visited by many domestic and foreign tourists.
Category: Brand – the visiting card of the country
Category profile: Brands (beverages and food) produced in the country of origin from 100% local raw materials can be nominated for this category. Brands are distinguished by a high level of quality confirmed by reputable competitions and experts, active marketing strategy, national and international distribution, presentable design that attracts tourists and enables the brand to act as a souvenir.
Category: Progressive Approach (sustainable development, organic methods, and resource-saving technologies)
Category profile: Objects that have actual evidence of compliance with international principles of sustainable development, environmental friendliness and other features of progressive approaches can be nominated for this category.
Category: Discovery of the Year (new facilities or renovations, services, programs, innovative or award-winning products, etc.)
Category profile: Facilities established (or that have introduced new services, functions, etc.) not earlier than 365 days before the start of the current year’s award can be nominated for this category.
Category: Authentic Location (facility with its own history, reviving indigenous varieties and specialties, traditional technologies)
Category profile: Facilities that have a confirmation of the authenticity of their products, technologies, varieties, architectural forms, or format of activity can be nominated for this category.
Category: Objet d’Art
Category profile: Facilities that have a confirmed status of an art object can be nominated for this category, or facilities that can confirm the fact that their architecture belongs to a sample of art or history, original design or appropriate format of activity – cultural and art center, gallery, etc.
Ambassadors: persons representing wines, regions, enogastronomic routes, brands; associations, consortia, national wine bureaus, tourist offices, and tour operators
Category: Ambassador of the Year
Category profile: Entities who have the status of an ambassador of wine / region / road of wine and taste or may confirm the fact of belonging to the enogastronomic association whose interests they representcan be nominated for this category. As well as those who have more than one year of experience as a promoter of a wine region, association, brand or certain types of wines. This activity can be confirmed both by an official source and by publications in the media, recommendations of officials, etc.
Category: Breakthrough of the Year
Category profile: Entities who have the status of an ambassador of wine / region / road of wine and taste can be nominated for this category, as well as those who may confirm the fact of belonging to the enogastronomic association whose interests they represent, whose activities have given impetus to a restart or radical changes in brand development of wine \ region \ wine and taste roads.
Category: Creative Strategy
Category profile: Entities who have the status of an ambassador of wine / region / road of wine and taste can be nominated for this category, as well as those who may confirm the fact of belonging to the enogastronomic association whose interests they represent, and whose activities are characterized by a special creative approach, creative solutions, originalviews.
Journalists, professional media, bloggers, photographers, and videographers
Category: Author of the Year
Category profile: Authors of literary works (a guidebook, a reference book, etc.) or a series of publications in any mass media (including non-periodicals) on enogastronomic topics can be nominated for this category. Their publications should have been published during the year to the current year of the award and had outstanding publicity and promoted relevant destinations, locations, wine, and other products of the region in terms of tourist attractiveness.
Category: Research of the Year
Category profile: Authors of literary works (a guidebook, a reference book, etc.) or a series of publications in any mass media (including non-periodicals) on enogastronomic topics can be nominated for this category. Their publications should have been published before and during the current year of the award and had outstanding publicity and promoted relevant destinations, locations, wine, and other products of the region in terms of tourist attractiveness.
Category: Expert Opinion
Category profile: Authors whose publications demonstrate in-depth knowledge in the field of enogastronomy and / or the peculiarities of the region can be nominated for this category. Publications should have an outstanding publicity and promote a competent opinion and reliable information about destinations, locations, wines, and other products of the region in terms of tourist attractiveness.
Category: The Brightest Journey
Category profile: Authors whose creative work includes a report (a video, an article) from an enogastronomic tour or a report from a trip to an interesting region, a specific object of the wine road, etc. can be nominated for this category.
Wine museums, wine institutes, tasting rooms, including those located on the premises of the wineries, academies of enogastronomy, wine schools participating in tourist projects, organizers of tours to exhibitions, etc.
Category: Unique Program (educational or of enogastronomic tours)
Category profile: Entities with original educational or excursion programs, special tastings and tours can be nominated for this category.
Category: Cultural Mission
Category profile: The category aims to identify educational institutions and programs with a special cultural mission (revival of traditions, promotion of advanced technologies, etc.).
Category: The Art of Performance
Category profile: Companies with an expressive exposition or a particularly creative teaching staff / approach, or an information resource where educational programs are presented, can be nominated for this category.
Guides, guides-representors of wine regions, tour operators, etc.
Category: Guide of the Year
Category profile: Entities with three years of professional experience, outstanding professional achievements, expertise in the field of enogastronomycan be nominated for this category. Besides, socially significant excursion programs and tours implemented during the year before the current year of the award (2020-November 2021) canbe nominated as well.
Category: Unique Route
Category profile: Guides or travel companies that have in their portfolio independently developed enogastronomic tours along a unique routecan be nominated for this category. Preference will be given to tours that attract the attention of external and domestic tourists to the region where the “Unique Route” is laid, and promote unique people, places, varieties, and products.
Category: Journey of the Year
Category profile: The category aims to support creative guides and tour operators who offer bright and meaningful excursions and tours that attract many enogastronomic tourists from around the world to the regions and wine roads, and that were implemented during the year before the current award year (2020- November 2021).
Category: Educational Tour of the Year
Category profile: The category aims to identify educational tours and excursion programs with a special mission, which were implemented during the year before the current year of the award (2020-November 2021). Preference is given to rich programs that reproduce the history of dynasties, ancient production technologies, information on indigenous varieties, as well as tours to international professional exhibitions and major world symposia.
Festivals, Wine Days and Local Products Days, exhibitions, promotion programs
Category: Event of the Year
Category profile: The category aims to identify important events (Days of wines, local products, festivals, gastronomic summits, online symposia) which took place during the year before the current year of the award (2020-November 2021). Preference is given to special events that are relevant to the topic and are distinguished by the original format and exposition, the audience.
Category: Magnet of the Region
Category profile: The category helps to support the organizers of professional events (enogastronomicfestivals, exhibitions, tastings, and auctions) aimed at promoting local and international producers of craft drinks and local specialties. Preference is given to attractive events that draw the attention of tourist communities to wines, spirits, beer, and other products of the region where the event is held.
Category: Effective Event
Category profile: The category aims to identify outstanding events (both off- and online) that took place over the three years prior to the current year of the award (2018-November 2021). Preference is given to the most massive events that bring together the professional community in the format of international exhibitions and major world symposia.
Category: Premiere of the Future
Category profile: The category is designed to support important enogastronomic events that took place during the year before the current year of the award (2020-November 2021) and which focus on advanced technologies, organic products and packaging, sustainable production and more. Preference is given to special events that have an international level and are accompanied by educational programs (workshops, lectures, annotated tastings).
The members of the panel of judges are 12 experts from around the world in the field of enogastronomy and tourism, marketing and journalism, wine business and education.
Robert Joseph, a British wine expert, consultant, producer, an editorial consultant for Meininger’s Wine Business International.
Dr. Ricardo Nunez, Head of the international group of companies Vinos de La Luz, which unites wineries in Spain, Italy, Argentina and the United States.
Felicity Carter, Executive Editor at Pix, was previously Editor-in-Chief of Meininger’s Wine Business International, the world’s only global wine business magazine.
Fiona Morrison, MW, Managing Director of Thienpont Wine, an international wine merchant and négociant and with her husband, Jacques Thienpont, runs their three Bordeaux estates, Le Pin in Pomerol, L’IF in Saint Emilion and L’Hêtre in Castillon.
Per Karlsson, a co-founder and wine writer of BKWine Magazine, one of the world’s leading wine tour operators, a co-author of eleven wine books, an internationally awarded, professional wine and travel photographer.
Philippe Massol, General Director of the unique and pioneering project – La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux.
Olga Bussinello, a private entrepreneur, brand consultant, legal consultant for food and wine companies.
Einat Klein, a journalist, photographer, historian, professional traveller, guide to the Middle East and Africa, wine expert and wine producer (Israel).
Gergely Szolnoki, Professor of Market Research at Geisenheim University (Germany) and honorary professor of Wine and Beverage Management & Marketing at the University of West Attica (Athens/Greece).
Saverio Savio, a leader of projects funded by the European Union and aimed at the development of integration processes in the region.
Stéphane Badet, a lecturer at ISVV and EPL Bordeaux, specializes in wine economy, industry management, business, marketing and tourism.
Maximilian Tafel, an enologist by profession, studied International Wine Business at Geisenheim University and the University of Giessen.
The awards’ winners are determined in two stages. In January 2022, an advertising campaign for the awards will start, aimed at attracting wine lovers of the world and professionals to vote, and in February, a voting function will open for users of the website winеtravelawards.com. According to the voting results, summed up at the end of March 2022, five nominees of each category, that reached the final, are considered by a jury of the awards, consisting of 12 reputable professionals in such industries as winemaking, food tourism, marketing, journalism. The selection takes place within a 10-point system according to the unified Wine Travel Awards protocols.
Nominations of the Wine Travel Awards are some sort of club cards of the WTA global wine tourism community.
We ensure that the nominees will gain the following benefits:
Joining the WTA international professional community: making useful business contacts, expanding opportunities to attract tourist (client) flows to their own facilities and businesses, as well as opportunities to learn from the participants’ experience.
The annual advertising campaign on online and offline resources, as well as at the exhibitions and special events conducted in the framework of the Wine Travel Awards nomination packages.
Participation in the WTA community includes:
