In 2008, Vila Viniteca created an unprecedented competition in Spain in terms of the prize money (50,000 euros) and the competition method (in pairs) : the Premio Vila Viniteca de Cata por Parejas, which is held annually in Barcelona and Madrid alternately.

The 18th Award Vila Viniteca a Tasting Contest in Pairs edition of the contest will take place on the 22nd of February 2026 at Llotja de Mar

Tickets to attend as audience now available

Registrations for the 18th Award Vila Viniteca A Tasting in Pairs are sold out. You must send an email with the full details of both members of the couple who wish to join the waiting list to [email protected]. Requests will be handled in strict order of arrival.

18th Award Vila Viniteca a Tasting Contest in Pairs
1st classified team: 35,000 euros
2nd classified team: 10,000 euros
3rd classified team: 5,000 euros

Contest Rules:
You should read the bases of this edition very carefully.

Contest Rules 18th Award Vila Viniteca a Tasting Contest in Pairs

Bases del 18ª Premio Vila Viniteca de Cata por Parejas

Bases del 18è Premi Vila Viniteca de Tast per Parelles

Règlement 18ème Prix Vila Viniteca Concours Degustation Par Paires

The 18th Award Vila Viniteca a Tasting Contest in Pairs 

The Llotja de Mar in Barcelona once again became the epicenter of the wine world with the celebration of the 18th Vila Viniteca Wine a Tasting Contest in Pairs.

The challenging task for the 124 participating pairs was to identify the country of origin, region, appellation, grape varieties, vintage, producer, and brand of the selected wines using only their senses. During the Preliminary Round, seven wines were presented, followed by an additional seven for the 10 pairs that advanced to the Final Test.

It was an exciting day where, beyond demonstrating their expertise, participants thoroughly immersed themselves in the experience.

The winners
1st classified team: 35,000 euros
Álvaro Ribalta & Thomas Luke Parker

2nd classified team: 10,000 euros
Antoni Carbó & Ramon Jané

3rd classified team: 5,000 euros
Alberto Ruffoni & Patricio Zárate

Event details

124 couples
292 bottles opened between the Qualifying Phase and the Grand Final
6,000 Riedel glasses (3,500 glasses in the competition)
11 sommeliers and more than 120 people from the Vila Viniteca team
More than 30 wineries
1,300 bottles uncorked
1,500 attendees
More than 80 varieties of cheese (398 kg), from 31 cheese factories selected by Ardai.
With the collaboration of Euroselecció-Riedel, Cafés El Magnífico, Sant Aniol and Encinares del Sur.

The wines of the Qualifying Round

1. Gramona Imperial Brut 2019, Corpinnat
2. Bimbache John Stone 2024, El Hierro
3. Domaine des Comtes Lafon Meursault 1er Cru Les Porusots 2022, Bourgogne
4. Sine Qua Non Aperta 2018, California
5. Celler Joan d’Anguera Vinya de la Glòria 2020, Montsant
6. The Sadie Family Wines Columella 2023, South Africa
7. Château Climens 2010, Bordeaux

The wines of the Final Test

1. Schloss Gobelsburg Tradition Heritage Cuvée 10 Years, Kamptal
2. Las Rocas de San Alejandro Garnacha Viñas Viejas 2023, Calatayud
3. Château Lafleur 1983, Bordeaux
4. R&L Legras Cuvée Saint-Vincent 2012, Champagne
5. Pepe Raventós Mas del Serral 2014, Conca del Riu Anoia
6. Le Gallais Wiltinger Braune Kupp Spätlese 2019, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
7. González Byass Tío Pepe Amontillado Cuatro Palmas Saca 2017 (0.5 L), Jerez-Xérès-Sherry

In 2008, Vila Viniteca launched a competition that was not seen before in Spain due to the amount of money and the competition method (in pairs): Vila Viniteca a Tasting Contest in Pairs, which takes place every year and alternately in Barcelona and Madrid.

17th Award Vila Viniteca a Tasting Contest in Pairs took place on the 23rd of March 2025 at Casino de Madrid

ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT

INFORMATION ABOUT CAMPAIGN

Sergio Caballero and Franc Aleu have created the campaign of the 17th Award Vila Viniteca a Tasting Contest in Pairs.

Sergio Caballero is co-director and is responsible for the image of the Sónar, Music, Innovation and Creativity Festival. His creativity and artistic interest have been shown in different fields, such as electronic composition, plastic arts, cinema or conceptual art. In 2006, he and Francesc Grimalt started a winery in Mallorca called 4Kilos Vinícola.

Franc Aleu has stood out for his career in the creation of light scenography, integrating innovative visual proposals in various formats. Awarded with the National Culture Award of the Generalitat de Catalunya in the audiovisual section, he has transformed the scenic experience into a unique emotional space. His versatility has led him to develop different disciplines, from video mapping on emblematic buildings to designing architectural spaces. In collaboration with the Roca brothers, he created the gastronomic opera “El Somni” (2014), documented in a film that he directed. He is currently exploring artistic creation using artificial intelligence environments and new scenic projects.