ACEVIN announces the winners of the 8th Spanish Wine Routes Wine Tourism Awards

Among the winners of this latest edition are initiatives such as ‘Maridaje Gran Canaria’, towns such as Quel, wineries such as Remigio Salas and Massana Noya, and establishments such as The Sherry Gallery and the Cuevas del Castillejo. The Wine Tourism Merit Award has been presented to the Vivanco family.

The 140 entries submitted, described by the jury as being of “the very highest quality”, also represent a record number of entries.

The winners of the 8th Rutas del Vino de España Wine Tourism Awards have now been announced. The Spanish Association of Wine Cities (ACEVIN), organiser of these awards through its product club Rutas del Vino de España, has announced the jury’s decision for this latest edition of the awards, which recognise some of the most outstanding initiatives promoted under the Rutas del Vino de España brand. Held biennially and with no cash prize, these Wine Tourism Awards represent public recognition of the work and effort put into developing high-quality wine tourism offerings by the hundreds of companies that form part of Rutas del Vino de España.

A total of 140 entries were submitted for this 8th edition, drawn from proposals by 29 of the 40 Wine Routes that currently make up the ‘Rutas del Vino de España’ brand. The proposals competed in 14 different categories, thirteen of which were competitive and one was an honourable mention. A new feature of this edition is the ‘Best Winery Open to Wine Tourism’ category, which is divided into ‘Family-run’ and ‘Large-scale’ sub-categories. These sub-categories reflect the need to distinguish between the variety of winery projects within Rutas del Vino de España, which encompasses everything from large winery groups to family-run wineries. The jury wished to highlight the “extremely high quality” of the entries submitted, which reflects the hard work and commitment to wine tourism across all the regions covered by the Wine Routes of Spain. Following an analysis of all these entries, the jury has decided to award the following prizes:

• Best Sustainable and Responsible Wine Tourism Destination: SUSTAINABLE AND RESPONSIBLE WINE TOURISM REGION (Montilla-Moriles Wine Route)

In recognition of the intense and sustained work in this field, culminating in projects such as this one, which has devised a range of diverse and comprehensive activities for a free Environmental Education Programme aimed at the residents of the 17 municipalities that make up the Wine Route region. For the variety and breadth of resources utilised and the success in raising awareness amongst the local population, encouraging their ongoing involvement and fostering a sense of appreciation and pride in the region.

• Best Wine Tourism Municipality: QUEL (Eastern Rioja Wine Route)

For its efforts to revive a heritage intertwined with the landscape, architecture, economy and social relations, and for preserving traditions linked to the wine sector, which have also been successfully transformed into a tourist attraction, thereby fostering local and regional revitalisation and development. For organising successful events to promote and publicise these efforts, as well as the history and resources associated with wine.

• Best Winery Open to Tourists – Family-Run: REMIGIO SALAS (Cigales Wine Route)

For its original and successful adaptation of a unique heritage site – such as the 18th-century underground cellars or the so-called ‘Casa de Napoleón’, the stately home where José Bonaparte stayed – for tourism, and for its collaboration with other local stakeholders and producers (beekeepers) to create a high-quality wine tourism experience designed for all audiences.

Mas Grimosach, for the skill and taste demonstrated in the restoration of a historic farmhouse within the Massana family’s wine-growing estate, which has for centuries formed part of the landscape and culture of this region in the heart of the Penedès, where a natural environment of vineyards, olive groves and woodlands—criss-crossed by paths—is preserved and cared for, at the foot of the Ordal mountains, which transports and transforms the wine tourist. For its values rooted in quality tourism, slow tourism, a sense of community, authenticity and respect for nature.

• Best Gastronomic Offer: GASTRONOMÍA CANALLA (Bullas Wine Route)

For turning gastronomy into a genuine experience that celebrates the region, local produce and excellence in service, based on authenticity, innovation and the promotion of the area’s gastronomic heritage and culture – in this case, that of the Region of Murcia. For the skilful combination of traditional and contemporary cuisine, in which wine is always present as an element that goes beyond the culinary sphere to become the backbone of both the experience and the region.

• Best Wine Tourism Establishment: THE SHERRY GALLERY (Marco de Jerez Wine and Brandy Route)

For its commitment to the restoration of a unique building and its innovative approach to bringing the world of Marco de Jerez wine to the general public, combining technology and a contemporary aesthetic to appeal to new generations, curious travellers and, more generally, all lovers of food and wine culture. For the quality of the information provided and the effort put into raising awareness, as well as for being the perfect complement to visits to traditional wineries as part of a wine tourism trip.

• Best Wine Tourism Experience: ALMA DE JEREZ. BODEGAS ÁLVARO DOMECQ (Marco de Jerez Wine and Brandy Route)

For creating a premium experience that offers a complete immersion in the culture of a region through several of the key elements that define it, such as wine and gastronomy, horses and flamenco, which captivates visitors thanks to a narrative with a perfectly constructed, cross-cutting central theme that is powerful in every moment and aspect, fluid yet demanding, accessible, moving and thought-provoking.

• Best Wine Tourism Spot or Landscape: REGINA VIARUM PANORAMIC TERRACE (Ribeira Sacra Wine Route)

For the skilful handling of the architecture and its integration into the surroundings, which has enabled this panoramic terrace to become one of the prime vantage points from which to take in one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Spanish viticulture: the landscape of the ‘heroic’ vineyards of the Ribeira Sacra in the Sil Gorge. For the way this place combines an intimate retreat with a space for socialising, making it an essential part of exquisite wine tourism experiences.

• Commitment to Sustainability: BODEGAS NODUS (Utiel-Requena Wine Route)

For its strong and consistent commitment to a natural landscape of high ecological value and a model of viticulture and relationship with the environment, in which the preservation of the ancient vineyard and natural heritage (such as monumental holm oaks) are the cornerstones. For extending this sustainability to social and economic spheres, fostering local revitalisation and awareness, as well as for its work in raising awareness amongst visitors, conveying universal values that are crucial to the future of society.

• Promotion of Inclusive Wine Tourism: PEDRO GARCÍA WINERIES AND VINEYARDS (Madrid Wine Route)

For its commitment to adapting a historic site – namely the cave-like underground cellars – to suit all types of visitors, including those with reduced mobility, by removing architectural barriers, thereby enabling access to and enjoyment of a unique and highly attractive heritage site that has shaped the wine-making history of the region where this winery is located (the Community of Madrid), as well as many others scattered throughout different parts of our country.

• Heritage Protection and Promotion: CASTILLEJO CAVES MUSEUM (Méntrida-Toledo Wine Route)

In recognition of the effort and spectacular results achieved in the recovery, adaptation, restoration and conversion into a museum of one of the most unique ethnographic cave complexes -cellars in the Méntrida-Toledo region, as well as for the ambitious project to promote, through wine tourism, the history linked to the area’s wine-making tradition, by means of a cultural and educational programme that includes temporary exhibitions, dramatised tours, sensory experiences, educational activities, lectures and cultural events, which bring this heritage to all kinds of audiences and foster knowledge and conservation.

Alongside these awards, the jury has, as is customary, awarded a special prize for Merit in Wine Tourism, which recognises the work and career of an individual involved in wine tourism who has made a significant contribution to its development. In this edition, this award has gone to:

• Wine Tourism Award: THE VIVANCO FAMILY (Rioja Alta Wine Route)

For their role as ‘visionaries’ and pioneers in the appreciation, restoration and promotion of wine heritage, as well as for their ongoing efforts to communicate and promote wine culture in all its forms, thereby becoming a global benchmark; and for the work carried out by all members of the family, which has been fundamental at every stage, moment and specific aspect, ensuring that such a vast, multifaceted and demanding project has always moved forward.

In some categories, Special Mentions have also been awarded:

Best Promotional Initiative: ENRUTA’T (LLEIDA Wine Route)

ORIGEN. THE HEARTBEAT OF A UNIQUE PLACE (Marco de Jerez Wine and Brandy Route)

Best Wine Tourism Town: VILLAFRANCA DE LOS BARROS (Ribera del Guadiana Wine and Cava Route)

• Best Winery Open to Wine Tourism – Large-Scale: BODEGAS SOMMOS (Somontano Wine Route)
• Best Wine Tourism Experience: COOKING IN EL SALNÉS. QUINTA DE SAN AMARO (Rías Baixas Wine Route)

BAROQUE THEATRE FESTIVAL. PRADO REY WINERY AND VINEYARDS (Ribera del Duero Wine Route)

FAMILY GHOST TREK. COSECHEROS REUNIDOS (Navarra Wine Route)

The jury was made up of members from various professional fields (public administration, academia, the wine and tourism sectors, and the specialist media). Its members were: Rosa Melchor and Ana María Cano, president and manager of ACEVIN respectively, acting as chair and secretary of the jury; Jesús Camacho, technical director of ACEVIN; Ilona Shekyants, Deputy Director-General for Tourism Development and Sustainability at the State Secretariat for Tourism; Lilian García, Assistant Deputy Director-General for Tourism Development and Sustainability at the State Secretariat for Tourism; Jesús Mora Cayetano, General Coordinator of the Spanish Conference of C.R.D.O. ; Susana Dolla, Director-General of the Spanish Interprofessional Wine Organisation; Iñaki Gaztelumendi,
a consultant specialising in strategy within the tourism sector and an advisor to UNWTO on gastronomic tourism; Fernando Redondo, a consultant specialising in wine tourism; Óscar Checa, a journalist specialising in wine tourism; and Pepa García, a journalist specialising in travel and tourism.

The ceremony for the 8th Rutas del Vino de España Wine Tourism Awards, at which all the winners will be honoured, will take place on 19 November at the Auditorium of the Reina Sofía National Art Centre Museum in Madrid.