The global wine community gathered in Verona last week for the announcement of the 2025 Best Of Wine Tourism Awards, a highlight of the Annual Conference of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network (GWC).
Held at the historic Gallerie Mercatali, the awards celebrated the top wine tourism experiences from across the world.
This year’s competition attracted 644 entries, reflecting the growing importance of innovation and excellence in the wine tourism sector.
The Best Of Wine Tourism Awards are a recognition within the GWC, honouring outstanding wineries and wine-related businesses in seven categories such as Architecture & Landscapes, Art & Culture, Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices, and more.
Each of the Network’s cities submitted local nominees for global consideration, and the winners represent the very best in their fields.
The 2025 global winners include:
Adelaide, South Australia – Dandelion Vineyards
Bilboa I Rioja, Spain – Bodegas Bilbaínas
Bordeaux, France – Maison Rémy Martin
Cape Town I Cape Winelands, South Africa – Delaire Graff Estate
Hawke‘s Bay, New Zealand – Craggy Range Winery
Lausanne, Switzerland – Le Agriespenrienze – Tincino
Mainz I Rheinhessen, Germany – Weingut Manz
Mendoza, Argentina – Bodega Trapiche Estanción 83
Porto, Portugal – Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo
San Francisco I Napa Valley, United States – Napa Valley Wine Train
Valparaíso I Casablanca Valley, Chile – Kingston Family Vineyards
Verona, Italy – Ottella
The Great Wine Capitals Global Network is an international alliance of cities renowned for their wine regions, united to promote wine tourism, economic growth, and cross-border collaboration.
Its 12 member cities include Adelaide, Bordeaux, Bilbao-Rioja, Cape Town and the Cape Winelands, Lausanne, Mainz-Rheinhessen, Mendoza, Porto, San Francisco-Napa Valley, Valparaíso-Casablanca Valley, Verona, and the newest addition, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand.
The 2025 awards marked a special occasion for Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, the newest member of the Network.
As the region made its debut in the Best Of Wine Tourism Awards, local wineries and businesses embraced the opportunity to be recognised globally.
Hamish Saxton, Executive Committee member from Hawke’s Bay, says joining the GWC has been a remarkable journey for Hawke’s Bay.
“This year’s awards have been a significant milestone,” he says. “It is a privilege to have our region’s wine tourism recognised on this global platform.
“Opening the awards to our local wineries has inspired innovation and a commitment to excellence across our local industry, and we are thrilled to be part of such a prestigious network.”
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