Golden Vines Reveals 2024 Awards Showcase

The Golden Vines, affectionately known as the Met Gala of the wine world, will be descending on Madrid from Friday, October 25 to Sunday, October 27, 2024, and with it comes a suitably extravagant schedule of events.

First launched in 2021, with previous iterations hosted in London, Paris and Florence, Golden Vines is an out-and-out celebration of the world’s finest wine and spirits, bringing together some of the industry’s most notable producers, collectors and enthusiasts.

Hosted at multiple venues across Madrid, including Real Casa De Correos and Palacio Cibeles, the weekend’s festivities, priced at £10,00 per person, kick off on Friday with a selection of masterclasses hosted by several of Golden Vines’ esteemed partners and sponsors, including Dom Pérignon, Penfolds, Maison Krug and Château d’Yquem.

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The galas include live entertainment from world-class performers / ©Getty Images

The evening will continue with a lavish black tie gala, featuring fine dining by chef Mario Sandoval of the two-Michelin-starred Coque; live entertainment from world-class performers; and, naturally, fine wines and spirits poured all evening long.

Throughout the evening, an in-person and online auction hosted by Sotheby’s will invite guests to bid for a number of money-can’t-buy experiences, rare wines and behind-the-scenes visits.

Saturday will culminate in a grand Golden Vines Awards ceremony, which sees the world’s best vintners vying for one – or more – of the prestigious awards. A total of nine are up for grabs, each of which is presented in a lavish Gucci box, including Best Fine Wine Producer in Europe, Sustainability Award, World’s Best Rare Spirit Brand and Rising Star Award.

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Festivities kick off with a number of wine and spirit masterclasses / ©Liquid Icons

Each winner is awarded via extensive research, with professionals from across the industry – winemakers, writers, sommeliers, importers, restaurateurs – invited to cast their votes.  

Also included in the ticket is the chance to attend a selection of exclusive experiences taking place across Sunday, October 27, each of which is hosted by some of the world’s most famous luxury brands. Included in the lineup is a private jet journey to San Sebastian for lunch at Asador Etxebarri and a private Rolls-Royce viewing; wine and cigar tastings with Maison Camus; and Real Madrid soccer tickets with Taylor’s Port.

As with previous years, the 2024 Golden Vines has, at its core, a charitable motivation – as co-founder Lewis Chester was keen to stress at a recent preview lunch in London, this is not a commercial venture.

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Over £3m has been raised since 2021 / ©Liquid Icons

Instead, Friday’s Golden Vines auction, both in person and online, benefits the Gérard Basset Foundation, a charitable organization set up in memory of the late Gérard Basset – a wine-world legend and close personal friend of Chester. 

Founded by Chester, Basset’s wife Nina and son Romané, and friend Alexander Lushnikov, the foundation is focused on championing diversity and inclusivity in the famously exclusive wine world. Partnering with the industry’s leading brands, the Gérard Basset Foundation helps secure scholarships, mentoring and training, with an emphasis on empowering those from underrepresented backgrounds.

With the average Golden Vines lot hitting the hammer for over £10,000 (approx. $12,700) and over £3m raised since 2021, the financial impact of the auction on up-and-coming wine professionals can’t be understated. 

Tickets are priced at £10,000 per person, including VIP concierge services for all travel, hotel and on-the-ground requirements; contact tickets@liquidicons.com, liquidicons.com

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