The winners of The Old Vine Hero Awards 2024 were announced at a virtual results webinar on Monday 25th March 2024 at 17.00 GMT.
To recognise and celebrate the diverse range of disciplines and expertise of those working in the virtuous cycle of old vine preservation The Old Vine Hero Awards 2024 fell into 5 award categories: Viticulture, Winemaking, Research, Communication and Commercial Impact. 105 nominations were received for individuals and organisations from 17 countries. The nominations were judged by an international panel of 15 old vine specialists and narrowed down to 16 finalists.
THE WINNERS ARE:
The Old Vine Hero Award 2024 for VITICULTURE was awarded to Professor Carlo Petrussi of Friuli Venezia Giulia in Italy for a life-time of work dedicated to old vine preservation including his project documenting all the historic and autochthonous vineyards of Colli Orientali del Friuli. The award was presented by Rosa Kruger – Founder & Chairperson of The Old Vine Project in South Africa.
The Old Vine Hero Award 2024 for WINEMAKING was awarded to Viviana Malafarina of Basilisco, in Basilicata, Italy for her leadership in the transformation of winemaking and viticultural practise in the Basilicata region. The award was presented by Dr Laura Catena – Founder of the Catena Institute of Wine, Managing Director Catena Zapata and winner of The Old Vine Hero Award 2023.
The Old Vine Hero Award 2024 for RESEARCH was awarded to Feudi di San Gregorio of Campania in Italy for their research project that centres on the protection of indigenous varietals entitled ‘The Patriarchs’ – a study and catalogue of century old Aglianico vines from Taurasi. The award was presented by Umay Çeviker, OVC Regional Ambassador for Türkiye and recipient of the IWSC grant for Old Vine research in 2023.
The Old Vine Hero Award 2024 for COMMUNICATION was awarded to Randy Caparoso, Journalist & Photographer based in California for his extensive written and photographic documentation of old vines in California and was presented by Tamlyn Currin, Senior Editor at JancisRobinson.com.
The Old Vine Hero Award 2024 for COMMERCIAL IMPACT was awarded to Joel Peterson of Once and Future Wines in USA for his work crafting hundreds of critically-acclaimed, vineyard-designated wines and competitively-priced blends from California’s oldest vineyards. The award was presented by Sarah Abbott MW, co-founder of The Old Vine Conference.
A special award was announced at the results webinar in recognition of the outstanding work and overall impact on the old vine movement of Derek Mossmann Knapp of Garage Wine Co. in Chile and founding member of VIGNO. Derek Mossmann Knapp was shortlisted in the Old Vine Hero Award categories for Viticulture and Winemaking and the total number of nominations and votes Derek received across the board prompted the presentation of an award for OVERALL IMPACT.
“Derek Mossman-Knapp has been devoted to the native varieties and old vines of Chile for two decades. Derek has elevated the importance of the historical viticultural value of Chile helping to revive viticultural heritage, foster a proper economy for old vines and raise the profile of lesser valued varieties like Carignan and Semillon. His tireless work and leadership have led to increased economic value of these wine areas and this type of vineyard, reviving the communities in and around Maule and Itata. His contribution to the old vine movement has been impactful on a global scale, inspiring others to follow his example. Recognition for his influence is long overdue and we are extremely proud to recognise Derek’s work with this unprecedented Old Vine Hero Award for Overall Impact.” Sarah Abbott MW, co-founder, The Old Vine Conference.
The Old Vine Hero Awards, now in their second year, were established to recognise the dedication, tenacity and talents of those working with old vines and their wines. The Old Vine Hero Awards are the only awards dedicated to raising awareness of and celebrating the individuals and organisations around the world making the greatest contribution towards the positive progression of the old vine movement.
The Old Vine Conference announced the 16 shortlisted nominees for the 2024 awards on 11th March and enlisted the help of the global wine community to vote for the winner. Voting closed at 21.00 on 21st March 2024 with a total of just under 3,000 votes having been cast.
The Prize
The winners of each category of The Old Vine Hero Awards 2024 will be invited to speak about their work with old vines on a panel at The Old Vine Conference 2024 taking place virtually on the 17th and 18th October. Wines that express the work of the Old Vine Hero Award 2024 winners will be among those shown at a Masterclass hosted by co-founder of The Old Vine Conference, Sarah Abbott MW at the London Wine Fair on the 22nd May.
Nominations for the Old Vine Hero Award 2025 will open in January 2025.
