Great Wine Capitals Global Network spans the globe, with 11 Member Capitals from the northern and southern hemisphere collaborating on a wide range of projects in tourism, education, business and travel.
From facilitating international partnerships to celebrating practitioners of excellence, nurturing a global culture of support to best practice sharing, our Network is a passionate and responsible custodian of the wine-related industries that make its member regions and their Capital cities, famous.
The Great Wine Capitals Global Network facilitates the sharing of knowledge, ideas and experience, stimulates business, innovation and friendships, and is a means to collaborate on common challenges and opportunities.
MEET THE GREAT WINE CAPITALS
ADELAIDE – SOUTH AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia, and the gateway to 18 distinct wine regions which account for 50% of all bottled wine and 80% of all premium wine produced in Australia. Home to Australia’s National Wine Centre and all national industry representative and research bodies, Adelaide is a brilliant blend of highly regarded established wine producers and innovative young winemakers who embrace alternate varietals and natural winemaking principles. Nestled between beautiful white sand beaches and cool-climate rolling hills, Adelaide boasts worldclass Universities with globally esteemed technical and commercial wine faculties. With an eclectic array of small bars, culturally diverse restaurants, and vibrant fresh food marketplaces, “The Festival State” is internationally renowned for its wine and food festivals, and high-quality arts, cultural and sporting events including the iconic cycling event, “The Tour Down Under”.
BILBAO – RIOJA SPAIN
Bilbao is the most important city in northern Spain, the largest city in the Basque Country and a “City of Design”, famed for its spectacular blend of traditional and modern architecture, including the iconic Guggenheim Museum. The city’s urban transformation combines industries, services and technologies with art and culture. The Bilbao – Rioja region’s cultural sites, world-famous cuisine and the exceptional Rioja wines make it a sought-after tourist destination. Home to nearly 600 wineries, Rioja wine harvests date back to the time of the Phoenicians and the region has produced outstanding red wines for global markets since the 19th century. “The land of a thousand wines”, Rioja is the most famous designation of origin for wines in Spain, producing traditional soft, delicate blends of red grapes along with single varietals made in a modern style and characterized by intense ripe fruit.
BORDEAUX FRANCE
The UNESCO World Heritage City of Bordeaux is one of the most revered names in the world of wine, with more than 2000 years of winemaking history and expertise. A stunningly beautiful historic city with an abundance of wine bars, gourmet restaurants, high-end shopping and charming squares and parks, Bordeaux is also home to four Universities and several business schools, including KEDGE Business School and its Wine School with specialist research streams in wine business, wine marketing and wine tourism. Home of La Cite du Vin and over 8,000 Chateaux, Bordeaux is synonymous with exceptional wine and wine tourism experiences. Labelled “French Tech City”, Bordeaux has rapidly evolving industries in Agribusiness, Aerospace, Communications and Biotechnology. With thousands of hectares of woodlands, 180 km of beaches and hundreds of kilometres of walking paths, Bordeaux truly is a destination to immerse yourself in and explore.
CAPE TOWN – CAPE WINELANDS SOUTH AFRICA
Home to some of the world’s most bountiful vineyards and boasting numerous award-winning restaurants, Cape Town and the Cape Winelands in the Western Cape is a gastronomic wonderland for food and wine connoisseurs alike. A place where majestic mountains meet wild open seas, Cape Town and the Cape Winelands is home to nearly 600 wine cellars. Cape Town is the Legislative Capital and second-most populous city of South Africa, and in 2014 was named a “World Design Capital”. Nestled on the coast at the foot of Table Mountain, Cape Town is a popular international tourist destination, selected by global travellers for its mild climate, spectacular natural beauty, well developed infrastructure and proximity to amazing wine country. Home to world-renowned universities, including Stellenbosch University, Cape Town has many strong academic and research programs in Viticulture, Oenology, Wine Biotechnology and Cellar Technology.