Ruta del Vino Somontano

This new competition aims to recognise the merit of the best wine tourism initiatives underway in Spain within the framework of the official Spanish Wine Routes.

The Spanish Association of Wine Cities (ACEVIN) has created a new proposal to support and promote the development of wine tourism; the first edition of the “Spanish Wine Routes - Wine Tourism Prizes.”  The initiative, which boasts the support of Turespaña, has the added objective of stimulating the important effort made by each of the participating agents, who have helped to turn the Spanish Wine Routes into the most important wine tourism project in Spain.

Since 2001, the Spanish Association of Wine Cities (ACEVIN) and the General Secretary of State for Tourism and Trade have been working hand in hand to boost wine tourism with the creation of the official Spanish Wine Routes.  The club is currently made up of a total of 21 routes, which in turn include 400 different councils from 13 different autonomous communities as well as 2,000 wine and tourism related businesses.  These figures are evidence of the efforts made in the wine tourism sector over recent years.  And it is within this framework that ACEVIN and Turespaña have developed the “Spanish Wine Routes - Wine Tourism Prizes” as a way to acknowledge and stimulate the important work carried out by the people involved in its success. 

  
The prizes will be divided into 7 categories:

     Best Wine Tourism Initiative
     Best Socially Responsible Wine Tourism Region
     Best Promotional Campaign
     Prize for Innovation, Quality and Sustainable Development
     Best Wine Establishment
     Best Tourism Establishment
     Prize for Outstanding Wine Tourism Merit

The competition is open to three types of agent; wine tourism initiatives, the establishments (businesses and services) and individuals.

“Spanish Wine Routes - Wine Tourism Prizes” will take place every two years.  The closing date for applications for this first competition is the 30th Nivember 2010 and prizes will be awarded during the first few months if 2011.  The jury is made up of representatives from ACEVIN, Turespaña, the Department of Tourism and Trade, the Ministry for the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, the Spanish Wine Federation, specialist travel agencies, wine and gastronomy critics, journalists specialising in tourism, food and wine, experts in wine tourism and university staff.  The prizes do not involve remuneration.  Only one prize will be awarded in each category, made up of a trophy and a diploma.