The Old Vine Hero Awards is back for a third year – this time with four new award categories. The Old Vine Hero Awards is part of an increasing roster of focus areas for The Old Vine Conference (OVC) – the initiative which aims to highlight the existence of and nurture old vines around the world. Recognising the dedication, tenacity and talents of those working with old vines and their wines, the 2025 awards fall under five categories: Next Generation, Best Viticulture Team, Communication & Education, Research, and Old Vines, New Technology.
Entry to The Old Vine Hero Awards 2025 is now open, encouraging the global wine community to nominate individuals, groups, and organisations deeply involved in the old vine movement. The nominations are free to enter, and submissions will close on Wednesday, February 21. Each award category will then be judged by an international panel of old vine specialists. The shortlist of top entries for each category will be announced on March 12, and the winners will be revealed on March 31 via a live webinar.
The OVC is a non-profit organisation aimed at creating a global network to establish recognition for wine from heritage vineyards. A cornerstone of its work is the Old Vine Register, which serves as a global database initiated by esteemed experts including Jancis Robinson MW and Tamlyn Currin. The mantle was then taken over by the Old Vine Conference co-founders Sarah Abbott MW, Alun Griffiths MW, and Leo Austin, along with their global team members including Belinda Stone and Cynthia Chaplin.
Similarly, the Scottish Design Awards 2025 have launched with new categories and exciting content on February 3, 2025. These awards aim to bring together stars from architecture and design, celebrating exemplary talent and innovative projects. This year, the awards will introduce a dedicated conservation category, aiming to recognize class-leading work in preserving built heritage alongside the returning retrofit category, which focuses on enhancing energy performance.
Among other changes, the Scottish Design Awards have also introduced three brand identity categories to more effectively differentiate between corporate, consumer, and civic work. The awards are also transforming to become a year-round showcase of creativity and ideas through their new weekly update, The Scoop, available directly on their website.
Cat Leaver, Director of Strategy & Competitive Intelligence at Visit Scotland, remarked, "I’m always on the lookout for creative work with a clear purpose. Winning entries are a balance of form and function, where the design can intrigue and inspire but the work also clearly demonstrates how it supports the outcome." This highlights the criteria judges will look for when evaluating submissions.
Entries for both the Old Vine Hero Awards and the Scottish Design Awards must be submitted online before their respective deadlines—February 21 and March 28, 2025—inviting participation from creative minds and wine advocates alike. The winners of each category will receive recognition through the OVC’s global media outreach and free entry to Day 1 of The Old Vine Conference 2025, Meeting of the Minds in California (travel expenses not included). The growing collaboration and competition throughout these awards reflect the commitment to preserving traditions and celebrating creativity within the wine and design industries.