Gracias Madrid! We Say Thank You and Farewell to Another Incredible Year of The Golden Vines®
The champagne corks have popped, the stage has been cleared, and after months of voting, planning, excitement and anticipation, the curtain has finally fallen on another incredible year for The Golden Vines®.
Each year we face a daunting task, which is to go bigger and better than we have before, delivering an event that is as exciting and worthwhile as it is unforgettable, and truly worthy of the winemakers we’re celebrating. We hold ourselves to very high standards. This is our fourth Awards, and we’ve travelled across the world, bringing winemakers and lovers together to celebrate ‘the best of the best’ within this fantastic industry. We’ve been to London for our inaugural year, then Florence and Paris, then onto Madrid for 2024. Each of these destinations shares an affinity with good eating and drinking, and an appreciation for the very best quality. Food and drink is part of their lifeblood, and its distinctive pulse runs through their streets wherever you go, from trattorias and cafes to the highest echelons of Michelin-starred dining.
We’ve been incredibly lucky to have some fantastic chefs cook for us over the years. This year we had the great honour of being joined by Mario Sandoval and the Roca Brothers, who showed us all what truly fantastic things can be achieved by those operating at their indomitable level.
We’ve also been entertained by some of the best in the business, from icons of the music industry to the most exciting new talent breaking onto the scene. I think everyone present will agree Victor Ray’s set was among one of the most show-stoppingly brilliant we’ve had grace our stage. We expect very big things from him, and when he’s doubtless accepting awards you’ll be able to say you saw him here first! We’re also hugely grateful to the brilliant The Arts Society for getting everyone on the dancefloor as Friday night drew to a close.
Philanthropy is at the heart of what we do at the Golden Vines, and it was heartening to once again raise vital funds which will go towards the work of The Gérard Basset Foundation, helping them create a new wave of winemakers and hospitality professionals. It was wonderful to have Nina and Romane with us once again, as well as so many of the Scholars who’ve benefited over the years and are very much part of Gérard’s legacy.
The Golden vines are the work of many, many people, and this feels an opportune moment to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this event possible. From our gracious hosts in Madrid to our wonderful sponsors and partners, your unwavering support has made this year’s Golden Vines Awards a resounding success. Thank you to our Event Director Liv Woodhouse, who makes a Herculean task look effortless, and to Clement Robert MS, for his work selecting the incredible wines for the weekend. Thank you to Lewis Chester and Sasha Lushnikov, and everyone who came together over the last few months to deliver such a remarkable weekend. We have always been a small team with big ambitions, and every year it’s humbling to rise to the challenge of delivering a weekend worthy of our winners.
To all the winners, congratulations! You have earned your place among the finest in the industry through your passion, dedication, and innovation. Your achievements not only inspire but also set new standards of excellence for the future. From those recognized for sustainability to those breaking new ground in rare spirits and fine wine, you embody the spirit of progress and artistry we celebrate at Golden Vines.
We’d also like to thank everyone who participated in the annual Golden Vines Report which once again determined The 2024 Golden Vines® Awards Winners. Over 950 industry professionals voted across 120 countries – a fantastic response which says much about the health of the industry, and the continued passion shared by all those lucky enough to be a part of it, fantastic community of epicureans and tastemakers, all helping to shape the future of our industry.
Finally, to everyone who attended, thank you for being part of this special moment. Whether you were here in person or joining us in spirit, your presence made the event complete. The Golden Vines® is more than just a celebration of wine—it’s a celebration of community, craft, and the future we are building together
As we bid farewell to Madrid, we look forward to the next exciting chapter. For the first time, The Golden Vines® will be crossing the Atlantic and heading to the vibrant, beachside city of Miami, a place famous for its vibrancy, sizzling nightlife, a world-leading art scene and, of course, incredible food and drink culture. We very much hope many of you will be able to come on this journey with us.
To stay abreast of all the latest news and register your interest, you can sign up to The 2025 Waiting List here.
Thank you once again, and cheers to another outstanding year!