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Wine Origins Alliance (OIV Observer), welcomes two mexican wine regions

02/11/2022

Baja California, Querétaro join global coalition dedicated to eliminating barriers to trade in wine

ENSENADA, Mexico – The Wine Origins Alliance today announced that it has been granted observer status at the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV). This announcement was made in conjunction with the OIV World Congress, which brings together scientists, scholars and wine producers from around the world to share knowledge and the latest findings regarding grape cultivation, production, characteristics and more.

“By becoming an observer, the Wine Origins Alliance provides new voices, from a regional perspective and from different corners of the world, that will complement our work to become even more universal” said Pau Roca, Director General of OIV. “Together, we will be able to unify our efforts in the guidance of consumers and policy makers against fraud, giving value to the winemaking location.”

For nearly a century, OIV has been at the forefront of global wine issues and a leader in setting standards and harmonizing practices for the viticultural sector. Its 48 member countries represent 87 percent of global wine production and 71 percent of global wine consumption. As an observer, members of the Wine Origins Alliance – including those from countries not represented among OIV members – will be able to participate in meetings, exchange information and share their perspective on viticultural issues in a major international forum.

“We are thrilled that OIV has accepted our observer application,” said Allan Sichel, President of Wine Origins Alliance member Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux. “We look forward to participating in OIV activities going forward to provide input on how our members are impacted by barriers to trade in wine and other topics of importance to our industry.”

“Now more than ever, as the global wine industry continues its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that wine regions are able to operate on a level playing field,” said Linda Reiff, President and CEO of Wine Origins Alliance member Napa Valley Vintners. “Becoming an OIV observer will ensure that our members have a seat at the table for important discussions that will impact the global wine marketplace.”

Since 2005, the Wine Origins Alliance has been a unified force in the global wine industry working to eliminate trade barriers on wine, including the lack of protection for wine region names around the world. At the press conference, the Wine Origins Alliance further announced that the Comité Provino Baja California and the Cluster Vitivinícola de Querétaro have joined the organization as its first Mexican members, expanding its membership to 33 wine and grape-growing organizations spanning 11 countries across five continents.

“For more than three decades, the Comité Provino has promoted the wine culture of Baja California,” said Mauricio Cantú Barajas, President of the Comité Provino Baja California. “We are proud to join our colleagues from around the world in recognizing that just as the oceanic influence from the Pacific contributes to the character of Baja California wine, all of our regions have characteristics that make our wines impossible to recreate anywhere else in the world.”

“Winegrowers in Querétaro experience unique conditions, including a semi-desertic climate and tepetate hardpan,” said Eusebio Goyeneche, President of the Cluster Vitivinícola de Querétaro. “We are delighted to join other wine regions from around the world, all with their own distinct features, and work together to solve challenges facing our industry.”

For more information about the Wine Origins Alliance and each of its members, visit www.origins.wine.

Contact Presse :

Natalie Pavlatos  : 218-428-1402 - npavlatos@vision360partners.com