ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING | BILBAO -RIOJA | 8-12 November

2015

The Great Wine Capitals 2015 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held November 8-12, 2015 in Bilbao | Rioja, the Spanish Great Wine Capital.

We are pleased to invite you to participate in a Business Delegation, during the Annual General Meeting of the Great Wine Capitals in the Bilbao – Rioja (Spain). The program of this business delegation will allow the participants to share experience with our delegates while discovering new wine tourism techniques and best practices, sharing experiences with other wineries and tourism operators from all over the world and discover a region where the diversity and wealth of the land will provide a memorable experience.

We look forward to seeing you!

Bilbao │ Rioja : A Great Spanish Wine Region

Towards the end of the 20th century, as a result of industrial restructuring, Bilbao has to make a radical change to its economy. After years of economic uncertainty, the city recovers its dynamic nature and becomes a service city, totally committed to environmental and urban regeneration. Industrial land becomes the space for internationally awarded spatial transformation (Abandoibarra) that has positioned Bilbao as a powerful tourist destination.

The great emblem of this “New Bilbao” is the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, designed by Frank Gehry, although many other factors have contributed to this regeneration and profound change. Over 25 years Bilbao has gradually been shedding its industrial skin and rehabilitating emblematic areas of the city. The recovery of the historic town centre after the brutal floods of 1983 is one of the great achievements made. Today, the Old Quarter (Casco Viejo) is a first class tourist area that preserves the traditions and identity of the city. Be sure to visit this area, where it is essential to stroll, mingle and enjoy some local tapas (pintxos) paired with good wine.

In addition to the brilliance of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao titanium, the transformation of Bilbao is environmental as well as urban, displayed in the recovery of the estuary, the soul of the city and silent witness to its history, the backbone for communication and trade. The cost of this operation was 800 million euros, some 6 times greater than the construction of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, and it was financed through an increase in the rates for water consumption.

Business program Bilbao | Rioja – Spain

8 – 12 November 2015

The clean-up of these estuary waters has enabled Bilbao and its residents to live looking towards this waterway and for the most important urban projects to be built on banks that have become some of the most sophisticated spaces in Europe, where buildings and works by the best architects and artists in the world are found, magnificent riverside walks where you can also enjoy a host of leisure, sporting and cultural activities.

Completing the strategic project for the transformation of Bilbao are the new bridges, the metro, airport and tram. These infrastructures, many of them designed by renowned architects (Norman Foster, Santiago Calatrava, etc.), form an excellent mobility network, connecting Bilbao and its neighborhoods with surrounding communities and also internationally.

The Bilbao | Rioja region is a tourist destination with cultural highlights, a world-renowned cuisine and excellent wines. It is the most remarkable wine region of Spain and, as such, is one of only two regions to enjoy the Denominacion Calificada de Origen, the Spanish equivalent of the AOC.

La Rioja produces wines of great quality since the 19th century, including the classic blend of flavors for soft vanilla and strong fruit aged in cask, a testament to the skill of the winemaker. La Rioja has succeeded a balance between tradition and modernity, of small and traditional family winery at a street corner or hidden in the foundations of some home to spectacular shapes and designs of the great wineries designed by architects modern.

This five-day mission will allow you to make contact with different partners around seminars, tastings and technical visits. You will discover in the Bilbao region - Rioja, dynamism and innovation demonstrated by wineries to improve their reception and optimize sales.

SUNDAY 8TH OF NOVEMBER

Arrival in Logroño and installation at the Hotel Villa de Laguardia

Tour of Logroño, capital of the Rioja.

Welcome reception at the Centre of Wine Culture Logroño. Nestled in the heart of the old town, this unique space dedicated to the world of wine culture, covers an area of over 3,000 m² on four floors, combining modern architecture with Renaissance architecture

MONDAY 9TH OF NOVEMBER: WINE TOURISM CONGRESS

“Wine Tourism, A Strategy for Everyone”, a truly international gathering on wine culture and tourism!

09:00-09:30 Registration

09:30-09:45 Opening of the Conference

09:45-10:20 WINE TOURISM STRATEGY Speaker: José Luis Bonet, President of the Freixenet Group and President of the Chamber of Commerce of Spain

10:20-11:20 ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION José Luis Bonet, President of Freixenet Group Clay Gregory, President & CEO of Visit Napa Valley André Morgenthal, Wines of South Africa Communications Manager Brigitte Bloch, Director of the Aquitania Regional Tourism Committee Moderator: Paul Wagner, Professor at Napa Valley College and President of Balzac Communications & Marketing

11.20-11.40 Coffee break

11:40-12:15 WINE TOURISM SUCCESS STORIES Speaker: Wendy Darneal, Vice President of Hospitality and Cultural Affairs at Constellation Brands

12:15-13:30

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION Wendy Darneal, Vice President of Hospitality and Cultural Affairs at Constellation Brands Beatriz Vergara Domecq, Wine Tourism Director at Tío Pepe. Grupo González-Byass. Isabel Morais, Wine Tourism Director at Sogrape Vinhos (Portugal) Ana Amitrano, Wine Tourism Responsible at Bodegas Zuccardi (Argentina) Moderator: Alicia Estrada, Wine Tourism specialist and author of Vinoturismo blog

13:30-15:00 Lunch

15:00-17:30 COMMITTEES, WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS - Committees’ meetings – Presentation of wineries or other companies of the Business Delegation and DMCs of the Travel Network to issuing travel agencies of Bilbao-Rioja. – Technical workshops for wineries: Option A - How can winery tourism help us to increase wine sales in our wineries Option B - How to choose a winning wine tourism strategy

* The Organization reserves the right to make changes in the program

20:30: Reception at Marqués de Riscal Winery Elciego (Álava)

Reception at the "Wine City" Marqués de Riscal. Unveiled in 2006, this architectural masterpiece designed by Frank Gehry to house the Hotel Marqués de Riscal has become a key place where design, art, gastronomy, wine and incredible scenery combine to an unforgettable moment.

TUESDAY 10 OF NOVEMBER

Technical Tours (choose one of the following) 1. Culture and Nobility Marqués de Murrieta Winery, Finca de los Arandinos, Campo Viejo Winery 2. Tradition and Family Vivanco Cultura del Vino, Remelluri Winery, López de Heredia Winery 3. Arquitecture and Heritage Finca Valpiedra Winery, Historical Quarter and Underground Wineries of Laguardia, Casa Primicia Wineries and Campillo Wineries 4. Innovation and Experiences Viña Real Winery, Valdelana Winery, Pagos de Leza Winery and Luis Cañas Wineries

Free evening

WEDNESDAY 11TH OF NOVEMBER

Place: Rioja

Visits to wineries

Lunch Venta Moncalvillo

Transfer to Bilbao

8 p.m.: International tasting at tasting and cooking show with Best Of and Michelin star chefs.

THURSDAY 12TH OF NOVEMBER

Place: Bilbao

Visit to Bodega Urbana and Enoteca Manu Martín.

Lunch at Boroa, a restaurant located in a former XVth century farm where you can taste the culinary specialties of Biscay revisited for your enjoyment !

Free afternoon

In the evening, gala dinner and Best of International Award ceremony at the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum

ACCOMMODATION

HOTELS IN RIOJA DUI* DOUBLE

CARLTON RIOJA**** (AGM Official Venue) 69€ 79€

MARQUES DE VALLEJO*** 78€ -

VILLA DE LAGUARDIA**** (Business Delegation) 80€ 90€

HOTELS IN BILBAO DUI* DOUBLE

CARLTON***** (AGM Official Venue) 105€ 115€

MIRÓ**** 102€ 112€

ABANDO**** 85€ 95€

* Accommodation provided in hotels mentioned above or in establishments equivalent category * Prices per person include breakfast and taxes

FEES FOR THE BUSINESS PROGRAM

Business Program (including Social Program) 1,080 € Not included, transportation, accommodation and personal expenses

For further information:

http://agmbilbaorioja2015.com E-mail: info@agmbilbaorioja2015.com