Applications for the Old Vine Hero Awards 2025 are officially open, with the introduction of four new categories! Now in its third edition, these awards bring together the global wine community, raising awareness and understanding of the work done to preserve old vines worldwide. Recognizing the dedication, resilience, and talent of those working with old vines and their wines, the 2025 awards will be divided into five categories:
- Next Generation
- Best Viticulture Team
- Communication & Education
- Research
- Old Vines, New Technology
Applications are free and open until Wednesday, February 21, 2025. The Old Vine Conference 2025 invites the global wine community to nominate individuals, groups, and organizations involved in the old vine movement. Applications for each category will be evaluated by an international panel of specialists, led by an expert head judge. The lead judges for the 2025 awards are:
- Next Generation: Francisca Van Zeller, 15th generation, Van Zellers & Co, Portugal
- Best Viticulture Team: Rosa Kruger, Founder and Chair, The Old Vine Project, South Africa
- Communication & Education: Sarah Abbott MW, Co-founder of The Old Vine Conference
- Research: Dr. Adrianna Catena, OVC Research Consultant and fourth-generation winemaker at Catena Zapata
- Old Vines, New Technology: Shawn DeMartinto, CEO and Founder of Sentinel Vine Manager
A shortlist of the best applications for each category will be announced on March 12, 2025. Voting for the selected nominees will be open to the global wine community, and the Old Vine Hero Awards 2025 will be granted to those who receive the most votes in each category. The winners will be announced on March 31, 2025, via a live webinar.
To participate follow the links below to access the Google forms, read the eligibility criteria for each category, and submit your applications:
Next Generation
Best Viticulture team
Communication & Education
Research
Old Vines, New Technology
