This year’s conference opened with a significant announcement. Yantai, China, was officially welcomed as the first-ever Observer Member of the Network, reflecting a continued commitment to global inclusion and emerging wine regions.
The 2025 program offers a dynamic blend of strategic dialogue, regional exploration and cultural engagement. Highlights include:
- Technical Visits to iconic estates across Médoc, Saint-Émilion, Sauternes, Entre-Deux-Mers, and Cognac, including experiences at Rémy Martin, Château de Cérons or Château La Croizille. These visits spotlight best practices in heritage preservation, innovation and immersive tourism.
- Working Groups and B2B Marketplace, providing focused sessions and commercial meetings between hosted buyers, Bordeaux-based producers and wine tourism professionals from across the Network.
- A visually striking International Wine Tasting at Le Bassin des Lumières
- Knowledge Day on 6 November, hosted at La Cité du Vin, featuring the international conference titled “Navigating the Future of Wine Tourism: Industry Challenges, Innovations and Global Opportunities“.
- The prestigious Best Of Wine Tourism Awards, recognising outstanding achievements across categories such as architecture, art and culture, sustainability and innovative visitor experiences.
- A closing Gala Dinner at the historic Palais de la Bourse in Bordeaux.
GWC Executive Committee members received Grand Crus Classes 1855 Diplomas of Honour during the Opening Ceremony
“This 25th edition is a moment to both celebrate our roots and shape the future,” said Catherine Leparmentier, Managing Director of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network. “Welcoming Yantai as our first Observer Member signals a bold step forward. And gathering here in Bordeaux, where the Network began, allows us to honour our collective journey while fostering new ideas and partnerships for the years ahead.”
Download the full press release: Great Wine Capitals 25th Annual Conference Underway in Bordeaux