Wine Vision 2015 travels to Bilbao, gateway to Rioja Alavesa, the 'land of a 1,000 wines'

Published: 03 June, 2015

Wine Vision, the must attend event for business leaders across the global wine industry, is set to go global when it returns in November.

The event, organised by William Reed Business Media, has been held in London for the past two years, but from 2015 onwards it will take wine industry leaders to the heart of the world's most prestigious wine regions. Each year Wine Vision will be held in a different world class 'wine hot spot", in order to bring the debate about the wine industry's future to centres of production and create a showcase for innovation and ingenuity. The first host wine region is set to be the Basque Country, Spain.

"Our decision to take this global event 'around the globe' has been prompted by feedback from Wine Vision delegates, who tell us they're keen to investigate and be inspired by the success of great wine regions up close," explains Andrew Reed, managing director Wine Vision at William Reed Business Media. "We've been in negotiation with the wine producers and government of the Basque Country for some months now and are delighted to announce that they have opened their door to us in 2015."

The Basque Country's support is also allowing Wine Vision to extend an open invitation to the world's wine industry leaders, up to 150 of whom will be able to attend Wine Vision's three-day programme at no cost, as the guests of the Basque Country, Wine Vision and its partners. "We believe this will secure an even broader audience for Wine Vision," says Reed. "Having adopted this approach it will become our modus operandi as we take Wine Vision to different wine producing centres around the world, every year."

Wine Vision will also provide an opportunity for delegates to experience first-hand the rich gastronomic, artistic and architectural heritage of the Basque Country. Ten percent of restaurants recognised in the current World's Best 50 Restaurants list are located in the Basque Country. On the opening night, the Basque Country, in partnership with the World's 50 Best Restaurants programme, will host a reception in the world famous Guggenheim Bilbao. The event will include an 'after hours' private tour of the Guggenheim's collection, while some of the Basque Country's many Michelin Star chefs will showcase local pintxos (tapas), paired with premium local wine.

The Wine Vision dinner, held on the following evening, will take place in the three Michelin Star restaurant, Azurmendi. Also listed as one of the World's 50 Best Restaurants, Azurmendi is perched on a hillside just outside Bilbao with stunning views of the Basque countryside. Chef Eneko Atxa is recognised as a pioneer in cutting edge gastronomic techniques and inventive use of ecologically produced ingredients. "His cooking will surely inspire innovation among our audience," comments Andrew Reed.

In addition, Rioja Alavesa's wine producers are planning optional vineyard tours for Wine Vision delegates who want to get 'hands on' before and at the close of the event.

"We're thrilled to be taking Wine Vision to Bilbao and to be planning a future for this event that will take our enthusiastic audience to the world's greatest wine regions," concludes Andrew Reed. The search is already underway for future Wine Vision host venues.

Wine Vision 2015 will take place in Bilbao from 9-11 December 2015. If you would like further information about attendance or partnership opportunities please contact Christina Wood, Event Director T: + 44 (0)1293 610 368

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