A story of collaboration, culture, and the enduring heritage of the vine
This October, in the inspiring city of Sibiu, Romania, the winners of the Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards 2025 were unveiled. Among the leading voices behind this European celebration stood Iter Vitis – the Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, proud partner, jury member, and advocate for sustainable vine and wine tourism.
For Iter Vitis, this event was more than a ceremony — it was a statement of purpose. It showcased how wine landscapes, rural heritage, and local communities together create authentic, resilient tourism experiences that shape Europe’s cultural identity.
Iter Vitis — giving voice to the vineyards of Europe
As a supporting partner of the Awards, Iter Vitis played a key role in recognizing and rewarding excellence in sustainable cultural tourism. Our involvement went beyond partnership — it was about contributing expertise, perspective, and passion for territories where wine is more than a product; it’s a story of people, land, and tradition.
Representing the heritage of vineyards from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, Iter Vitis helped ensure that the evaluation process honored authenticity, sustainability, and community engagement. As part of the expert jury, we joined forces with the European Travel Commission (ETC), the European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN), and Europa Nostra, evaluating 48 outstanding projects from across 14 European countries.
The 2025 edition focused on the theme: “Visitor Experiences and Authenticity for Sustainable, Smart and Resilient Cultural Tourism Destinations.”
It is a theme that mirrors the essence of Iter Vitis — a journey through living landscapes where every vineyard tells a story, and every bottle of wine carries the memory of a place.
Several of this year’s winners stood out for their dedication to preserving and celebrating wine and gastronomy heritage, aligning perfectly with the values that define our route. Their projects have shown that tourism can both protect and elevate local identity — offering experiences that are not only memorable, but also meaningful.
The Awards ceremony, held in the vibrant cultural setting of Sibiu, gathered policymakers, tourism professionals, cultural institutions, and heritage ambassadors from all over Europe. For Iter Vitis, it was an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, share best practices, and inspire new generations of tourism innovators.
Through our involvement, we continue to bring visibility to the wine routes of Europe — helping communities embrace sustainable tourism as a driver for local development, preservation, and cultural exchange.
As the vine grows from deep roots toward the light, so too does our network.
By supporting the Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards, Iter Vitis reaffirms its mission: to protect and promote the cultural landscapes of wine, to nurture sustainable tourism models, and to ensure that the heritage of vineyards remains a vibrant part of Europe’s shared story.
We congratulate all the 2025 winners and thank all the partners — ETC, ECTN, Europa Nostra, and the Sibiu County Tourism Association — for a successful edition that celebrated creativity, collaboration, and care for our cultural landscapes.
Together, we continue to build a future where tourism and tradition flourish side by side — just like the vineyards that inspired us all.