The results underline the growing international recognition of both established and emerging wine regions represented within the Iter Vitis network.
The results of the XXIV International Wine Competition “Città del Vino” 2026 have once again demonstrated the extraordinary diversity and quality of the wine landscapes connected to the Iter Vitis network. Through the Iter Vitis Special Award, wines from some of Europe’s and the Mediterranean’s most historic wine regions competed not only for technical excellence but also as ambassadors of cultural heritage, local identity, and centuries-old traditions.
The competition, organized by the National Association of Wine Cities, brought together wines from Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Germany, Israel, Azerbaijan and many other wine-producing territories, reflecting the international spirit that has always characterized Iter Vitis as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe.
A Portuguese Triumph
The highest score of the competition was awarded to Quinta da Gaivosa Porto LBV 2021, produced by Domingos Alves de Sousa in the Douro Valley, which achieved an outstanding score of 95 points, earning the prestigious Grand Gold Medal.
Portugal dominated many of the top positions, confirming the vitality of regions such as Douro, Palmela, Alentejo, Setúbal and Bairrada. Among the highest-rated wines were:
- Savalan Special Edition 2018 (Azerbaijan) – 93.4 points
- Bocage White Blend 2025 from Casa Ermelinda Freitas (Portugal) – 93.4 points
- F.M. Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 from Família Margaça (Portugal) – 93 points
- Vinhas de Pegões Touriga Nacional 2024 (Portugal) – 93 points
- Dom Freitas Reserva 2023 (Portugal) – 93 points.
The results underline the growing international recognition of both established and emerging wine regions represented within the Iter Vitis network.
Strong International Presence
The competition highlighted the richness of several territories that play an important role in the cultural and historical narrative of wine.
Azerbaijan achieved remarkable results with Savalan Special Edition 2018 and The Heritage of Caucasian Albania 2018, demonstrating the quality of wines produced in one of the oldest viticultural regions of the Caucasus.
The Canary Islands were represented by wines such as Pago de los Cercados Tinto DOP Canary Wines and Pumuki D.O.P. Gran Canaria, showcasing the uniqueness of Atlantic viticulture and volcanic terroirs.
Croatia’s Istrian producers also performed strongly, with wines from OPG Ivan Damjanić, Medea Winery, Vinarija Capo, and Vinska Kuća Pavlomir receiving awards and demonstrating the continued excellence of Adriatic wine traditions.
Germany’s Pfalz region was represented by several wines from Anselmann and St. Laurentius Sekt, confirming the growing reputation of Central European sparkling and aromatic wines.
The Judea Wine Region continues to consolidate its position on the international stage, winning nine medals .
The Judea Wine Region, located within the Mateh Yehuda Regional Council and recognized as Israel’s first official wine appellation, continues to achieve unprecedented international success.
Among the nine awards received were five Gold Medals and four Silver Medals, won by Kadma Winery, Yehuda Winery, Kerem Barak Winery, and Teperberg Winery.
This success represents a continuation of the Judea Wine Region’s steady rise and further positions it among the world’s most dynamic and high-quality emerging wine regions.
Avishai Cohen, Head of the Mateh Yehuda Regional Council, commented:
« The Judea Wine Region continues to prove that Israeli agriculture can stand alongside the world’s leading wine regions. Particularly during a complex period, our wineries are able to transform the land into not only high-quality wine but also a story of resilience, rootedness, and hope. »
According to Adv. Idan Bar-Ulpan (WSET Level 4), an Israeli wine expert who accompanied the appellation recognition process and served as a judge at the competition in Italy, together with Barak Katz (WSET Level 3), Director of the Judea Wine Region:
« This is already the third consecutive year in which we have seen impressive consistency in the results. Wines from the Judea region do not merely participate—they stand out. In particular, varietal wines continue to gain recognition for their quality and distinctiveness, qualities that are not always found on the international stage. This is especially true of Petit Verdot wines from both the Judean Hills and Judean Foothills sub-regions, which have received high scores and prestigious medals throughout all three years of participation. This international recognition is no coincidence; it is the result of consistent regional work, careful vineyard selection, and close cooperation between the wineries and the regional council. »
Recognized in 2020 as Israel’s first official Appellation of Origin, the Judea Wine Region stretches between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and encompasses dozens of wineries and vineyards covering thousands of hectares. Combining a unique Mediterranean terroir, generations of agricultural expertise, and modern winemaking innovation, the region continues to establish itself as a rising force in the global wine sector.
This latest achievement further strengthens the Judea Wine Region’s role as an ambassador of agricultural excellence, wine tourism, and cultural heritage, firmly securing its place on the international wine map.
More Than a Competition
For Iter Vitis, the competition is more than a technical evaluation of wines. It is an opportunity to celebrate the cultural landscapes, local communities, traditional knowledge, and historical routes that have shaped European and Mediterranean wine civilizations over centuries.
From the terraced vineyards of the Douro to the volcanic soils of the Canary Islands, from the ancient wine cultures of the Caucasus and the Holy Land to the Adriatic coast and Central Europe, the awarded wines tell stories of resilience, innovation, and cultural exchange.
The results of the 2026 Iter Vitis Special Award reaffirm a central principle of the Cultural Route: wine is not merely an agricultural product but a living expression of heritage, identity, and dialogue among peoples.
Iter Vitis warmly congratulates all participating wineries and award winners and looks forward to continuing its mission of connecting wine regions, institutions, producers, researchers, and travelers through the shared language of wine culture. 🍷