Portugal hosted the 2024 OIV Awards Ceremony on 20 September in Lisbon, honouring this year’s finest books on vine and wine.
Director General, John Barker, the President of the OIV Awards, Azélina Jaboulet-Vercherre, the Scientific Secretary of the OIV Awards, Richard Pfister
As a founding member of the OIV, Portugal took part in the organisation’s centennial festivities by hosting the 2024 OIV Awards ceremony, an event co-organised by the OIV, the Portuguese Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho (IVV), and Wines of Portugal.
The ceremony gathered around 100 attendees, including awardees, key figures from the Portuguese vine and wine sector, and diplomatic representatives. Bernardo Gouvêa, President of the IVV, opened the ceremony, followed by John Barker, Director General of the OIV, who underlined the importance of the event: “The OIV is deeply committed to promoting this heritage and rewarding excellence in this field. By recognising the authors and publishers of these remarkable works, we celebrate their essential contributions to our understanding of vine and wine.”
The night was filled with excitement and recognition as the best publications in the vine and wine sector were celebrated. Out of 81 submissions, 14 books received the OIV Award, while 15 received the OIV Special Mention. The fourteen winning categories covered a large range of works on vine and wine, from scientific and technical publications to literature, wine tourism, and even comic books... including a card game about vine diseases ! The diversity and pluralism of these publications highlight the exceptional presence of vine and wine across all aspects of culture, offering the joy of knowledge and discovery.
For the first time, one of the works was also distinguished with the "President OIV Award," an exceptional honour introduced this year to “The Australian Ark: The Story of Australian Wine from 1788 to the Modern Era”. This three-volume work traces the development of winemaking in Australia from its early beginnings in 1788, when the first grapevines were brought to the continent by European settlers, to its growth into a globally recognised wine producer, and promises to become the reference of Australian wine history for decades to come.
Check the 2024 winners full list here.
Bernardo Gouvêa, President of the IVV
First OIV Awards ceremony held outside its headquarters country
For the first time, the OIV Awards ceremony was held outside its headquarters country, France. “This year holds special significance for our organisation as we commemorate a century of existence and achievement since our founding in 1924. The OIV Awards are a key element of this celebration, making it particularly fitting that we gather in the vibrant and beautiful city of Lisbon. Portugal, one of the founding members of our organisation, has long held a position of great importance within the OIV," stressed John Barker, who extended his deepest thanks to IVV and its team, “whose efforts have made the ceremony in the Portuguese capital possible”. Barker also acknowledged the National Commission for the OIV (CNOIV) for their “invaluable work between Portugal and the organisation”.
The awards and diplomas were presented to the laureates by Azélina Jaboulet-Vercherre, President of the OIV Awards Jury, and Richard Pfister, the OIV Awards Scientific Secretary. Both acknowledged the high quality of the winning books.
The laureates present at the ceremony
The OIV Awards: recognising excellence in the vine and wine sector
Since 1930, the OIV Awards have recognised excellence in the vine and wine sector publications. This distinction is granted annually by an international Jury composed of esteemed experts representing OIV member countries. The Jury’s decision is based on consensus, recognising outstanding works in each competition category.
If you are an author or publishing house with a publication on vine or wine you can submit your work for the 2025 OIV Awards. Applications are open until February 28, 2025. To apply, complete the form and send the requested files online here.
Important to know
- Registration Period: September 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025
- Eligible Publications: Paper or digital books related to Vine and Wine published within two years before registration
Registration Requirements
- No registration fees
- Open to all countries and languages
- Six copies required for paper submissions.
- All postal or customs costs must be covered by the sender. The sender must mark the parcel with a market value of 0 and label it as "sending of working documents", or as “gift”. On the bill form, it should be stated that any taxes will be paid by the sender to avoid customs delays. The OIV will not accept parcels if a tax payment is required.
- Submitted books must have been published within two years before registration.
- Commercial magazines, guides, websites, interactive tools, lobbying, or advertorials are not accepted.
- A second edition of a previously unawarded book can compete if it includes substantial revisions or updates.
- Additionally, works that merit recognition may receive a "Special Mention." This is granted based on the same evaluation criteria, ensuring only the highest-quality works are honoured.
