#WeekInPictures: Old vines take centre stage as Antinori takes PFV helm
This week, the inaugural Old Vine Photography Competition crowned winners from Australia, Bolivia and Spain, as Alessia Antinori began her presidency of Primum Familiae Vini. Elsewhere, IGNI explored a kitchen-led approach to alcohol-free pairings and a portfolio of established Rioja brands prepared to go under the hammer.
Old Vine Photography Competition names inaugural winners
The Old Vine Conference announced the winners of its inaugural Old Vine Photography Competition on Old Vine Day, 15 July. Images from Australia, Bolivia and Spain took top honours after 272 entries were submitted across four categories, attracting 3,664 votes worldwide.
Sponsored by the Consorzio di Tutela del Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, the competition was launched to raise the visibility of old vineyards and the communities preserving them. OVC executive director Belinda Stone said photography could create “a simple and emotive bridge” connecting wineries and their old vines with consumers.
IGNI takes alcohol-free pairings into the kitchen
At IGNI, head of wine Alessio Ragusini has developed ‘Liquid Kitchen’, a drinks programme which begins not in the cellar, but in Theo Clench’s kitchen. In-house fermentation, maceration and extraction turn shared ingredients into pairings which complete each dish rather than imitate wine – including a clarified ‘Bloody Mary’ of tomato, tosazu and citrus for the Skye scallop.
Alessia Antinori takes helm of Primum Familiae Vini
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Alessia Antinori has been appointed president of Primum Familiae Vini for 2026-2027, succeeding Prince Robert of Luxembourg. Representing the 26th generation of the family behind Marchesi Antinori, she has chosen Art, Architecture and Wine as the theme of her presidency.
“A great wine is never simply an agricultural product; it is a cultural artefact, the expression of a territory, its people and its history,” Antinori said. The invitation-only association brings together 12 historic family-owned wine estates, including Champagne Pol Roger, Familia Torres, Symington Family Estates and Tempos Vega Sicilia.
Historic Rioja brands head to auction
A collection of established Rioja wine brands belonging to Marqués de la Concordia Group will be offered at international public auction from 27 to 29 July as part of insolvency proceedings involving its parent companies.
The trademarks on offer include Federico Paternina, Lagunilla, Marqués de la Concordia and Rioja Santiago. The portfolio recorded normalised Rioja DO sales of €18.49 million between 2019 and 2021, with exports historically accounting for 41% of sales, offering prospective buyers the opportunity to acquire established brands with an existing international presence.
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