On Monday, October 31st, the 43rd World Congress of Vine and Wine began. In its 2022 edition, the chosen venue was Ensenada, Baja California.

The governor of Baja California, Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, was the host of the inauguration ceremony which took place at the Baja California Center in Rosarito. She expressed her joy in welcoming around 1600 visitors from 49 countries which include scientists, scholars, oenologists, winemakers, sommeliers, and diplomats.

The governor thanked the presence of the ambassadors of Argentina, Uruguay, Australia, Georgia, France, Azerbaijan, Israel, and New Zealand, as international brotherhood is capable of crossing borders as well as seas.

During her speech, she emphasized the importance of contributing so that winemakers have the necessary technology and information about production processes, training themselves in these areas.

Claiming that the countryside is an important source of employment, Marina del Pilar committed to help so that the landscapes and the industry can be sustainable. With help from local authorities, a strategic plan to supply water in Valle de Guadalupe has been created as this is the main winemaking area in the state. At the same time, an intense ecological structuring that respects the agricultural sector and opens the door for new investments has also been created.

It should be noted that wineries in Valle de Guadalupe receive 1 million visits per year, leaving an economic revenue of 3.6 billion pesos.

In this area, there are 8 valleys where more than 170 grapevine producers and at least 260 winemaking projects boost this industry, farming around 5,000 hectares.

The governor emphasized the participation of important women of the wine industry such as oenologist Laura Zamora who, for 40 years, has become the woman with the highest number of liters of wine produced in our country and is currently creating a school to train new generations.

Other significant cases are oenologist Lourdes Martínez, who has won important awards as well as chemist Alberta Ceja and young winemakers Diana Nava, Yajaira Baro, and Nicole Martain, whose parents have been connected to Bodegas de Santo Tomás for more than 30 years.

At the conference the following people were present: Luigi Moio, President of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV); Víctor Manuel Villalobos, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development of Mexico; Pau Roca, Director General of OIV; and Paz Austin Quiñones, Director of the Mexican Winemaking Council, among other important representatives.

Regarding the wine industry, Mexico is the 14th producer of wine worldwide, a list led by Spain, France, and China.

Every year, Mexico produces 4 million boxes of wine; 500,000 employees depend on the country’s wine industry and 15 Mexican states use part of their land to harvest grapevines.

At this conference, issues such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic were addressed as they have been challenges for this industry.

At the showroom one could notice the presence of several wineries. Some of them were: Bodegas de Santo Tomás, Bruma Vinícola, Cuatro Cuartos, Hacienda Guadalupe, Pedro Domecq, Monte Xanic, Ojo Azul Resort, Chateau Camou, La Trinidad, Valle Tintos, La Redonda, Relieve Vinícola, Pozo de Luna, Finca La Carrodilla, Lomita Vinícola Mexicana, Las Nubes, Vena Cava, Casa Emiliana, Shede , and Encuentro de Piedra.

Several entrepreneurs promoted their products as well. In these hallways one can find sauces, marmalades, date coffee, desserts, chocolates, beers, costume jewelry, clothes, and handicrafts coming from the indigenous Kumiai and Cucapáh communities. The San Antonio Nécua community brought three traditional wines: Papá, Mamá, and Abuela wines.

Mexican states such as Queretaro, Jalisco, Campeche, Chihuahua, and Aguascalientes showcased their clothing, jewelry, wines, cheese, and even promoted some of their state’s tours.

The exhibition will offer viticulture, oenology, economy, law, health, and security conferences throughout Tuesday November 1 and Wednesday November 2, at several showrooms. This will conclude on November 2nd with a cultural evening celebrating Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) at Plaza de Santo Tomás from 8 PM to 12 AM at the Baja California Center.

The 43rd World Congress of Vine and Wine will continue with technical visits to wineries, vineyards, and universities on Thursday, November 3rd. The entire event will end on November 4th at Bodegas Domecq with a general assembly and a closing meal.

Watch some interviews with the speakers and the event’s highlights right here: