The DOP Alicante 2022 Regulatory Council held a full award ceremony on Monday at the Alicante Provincial Assembly Auditorium (ADDA), celebrating the region’s wine culture and the people who support it. The event highlighted the impressive work done to promote wines in both retail shops and hotels, with a special nod to initiatives in the traditional trade. One of the prizes recognized the contributions of organizations dedicated to gourmet wines and the broader wine heritage of the Alicante area. Nazario Lloret, a key figure associated with Villa Joiosa, leads an organization that began in 1997 and has grown to become a renowned hub for gourmet wines. Coming from a family known for traditional butchery, Lloret also participated in Turkey’s first sommelier program and later shifted his focus toward wine and gourmet products in the heart of La Vila, Benidorm and its surrounding communities.
In parallel, the event acknowledged the spirit of entrepreneurship in the surrounding hostels and taverns, praising the courage and effort of young people who have helped recreate Alicante’s pub scene. What began as a small tavern in the city center expanded into a broader network, with establishments in Albufereta, Elche, Benidorm, San Vicente, and even Madrid. The speakers emphasized how this expansion has consistently showcased Alicante’s gastronomy, with a lasting commitment to the origins of its wines and culinary traditions. Fernando Vidalis, one of the founding partners, spoke about this enduring dedication to regional identity.
The III Fondillón Award was presented to Francisco Borja, Chairman of the Board of Misteri d’Elx, who highlighted the pride in sharing other cultural and territorial elements—such as vineyards—that enrich the local heritage and wine culture.
The award ceremony honored major DOP wine growers and those who carry more stories to tell, as well as those who have safeguarded vineyards across the region for the past century. These efforts have been crucial in shaping vineyard practices and wine styles for future generations. Five representatives from this generation attended the auditorium: Juan Serra Ivars from Teulada; Vicente Rico and Jose Luis Perez from Pinoso; and Juan Frances and Francisco Ruano from Villena, who received applause from the standing audience along with the younger cadre of wine growers and sommeliers.
Santi Rivas, an innovative wine communicator and author of the acclaimed book Drop Everything or Drop the Wine, hosted the ceremony. Representatives from various institutions, including the regional secretary of Climate Emergency, attended the event, along with Francisco Jose Candela Pina, who oversees promotion and development, and Sebastian Canadians, as well as Carlos Bath, President of the Chamber of Commerce.
The Professional Show followed, featuring 33 wineries from the Alicante DOP presenting the campaign’s latest innovations and a new vintage, underscoring the dynamic spirit of the Alicante wine community and its ongoing commitment to quality and tradition.