VieVinum 2024: a record number of wine experts flocked to Vienna

Chris Yorke, CEO AWMB © Austrian Wine / Anna Stöcher

500 Austrian wineries exhibited their products in Vienna’s Hofburg, which welcomed more than 1,200 wine experts from 58 countries, making this year’s VieVinum a record-breaking event. Never before have so many international guests travelled to Vienna.
“This year’s VieVinum is breaking all records! Never before have so many international trade guests accepted our invitation to Vienna,” says a delighted Chris Yorke, CEO of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (Austrian Wine). “This is crucial for our wineries because the economic situation is not easy for them at the moment. It also shows how sought-after our wines have become around the world.” Over the course of three days, 500 Austrian wineries presented their products to more than 1,200 international experts from the wine trade, the hospitality industry and the press – attending from 58 different countries.
Guests included the elite of the international wine world, such as the 2023 Best Sommelier of the World, Raimonds Tomsons, six Master Sommeliers and 21 Masters of Wine – experts holding two of the most prestigious wine qualifications in the world. “International dialogue like this is key to increasing appreciation for the work of our winemakers and boosting demand for their wines around the world,” explains Yorke.
Export value has increased more than sevenfold since the first VieVinumVieVinum, organised by M.A.C. Hoffmann, has been a central platform for the success of Austrian wine exports since 1998. Over the last 25 years, Austria’s export value has increased more than sevenfold, reaching 238 million euros in 2023. “Wine exports are very important for our winemakers because we have few growth opportunities left in the Austrian market,” explains Yorke. “Every bottle exported promotes our excellent wines on the international stage and also relieves pressure on the domestic market.”


Bacchus Prize goes to Anne Krebiehl MW and Gerhard RetterThe international Bacchus Prize for outstanding services to Austrian wine was awarded for the first time at this year’s VieVinum. It went to the Master of Wine Anne Krebiehl and the renowned sommelier Gerhard Retter. As Chris Yorke emphasised in his speech, Krebiehl and Retter have played a major role in raising international awareness of Austrian wine for many years.


Comprehensive programme of supporting events offered unique insights into the Austrian wine industryOn Friday, Austrian Wine invited its guests to an exclusive tasting of premium Austrian wines at the Palais Niederösterreich. At the tasting, International Heroes, i.e wines with top international ratings, were presented alongside Rising Stars, which are wineries that are on the cusp of making an international breakthrough. After the tasting on Friday evening, Austrian Wine invited its guests to a large get-together at Vienna’s Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
 
During the fair, a range of supporting events gave trade visitors the opportunity to gain unique insights into Austria as a wine-growing country. These included a masterclass where three of the world's best ASI sommeliers presented their favourite Austrian wines, along with dozens of tastings organised by the School of Wine and events organised by wine-growing regions and associations.
 
The keen interest in Austrian wine among international visitors is also underlined by the fully booked trips to the wine-growing regions of Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), Burgenland and Steiermark (Styria) which are taking place straight after the VieVinum.
( Excerpt from a release)