For the third time, Marlengo’s Wine Culture has awarded the prestigious title of "South Tyrolean WineCulture Ambassador." The accolade for 2020 was granted to the Independent Winegrowers of South Tyrol. Due to the pandemic, the award ceremony was postponed to 2021.
A Distinguished Honor for the Independent Winegrowers of South Tyrol
As WineCultureAmbassadors, the Independent Winegrowers of South Tyrol represent outstanding dedication to the international reputation of South Tyrolean wine. Through their commitment, they enrich the diverse and tradition-filled world of wine in the region and beyond. The plaque for the award, designed by Laurin Kofler, emphasizes the significance of the winners.
Jury Criteria
In his address, Mairhofer outlined the jury’s evaluation criteria:
- Strengthening South Tyrolean wine culture
- Enriching it with innovative approaches
- Promoting wine culture beyond regional borders
- Demonstrating extraordinary commitment and sustainable concepts
- Embodying true ambassadorship
Mairhofer also emphasized that Marling cannot be nominated during the first five years. He highlighted the importance of fostering special projects and giving them public recognition.
Thanks to the Marling Tourism Association
Special thanks were extended to the Marling Tourism Association, a reliable partner in establishing Marling’s wine culture for tourism, the economy, and the local population.
Greetings from the Councillor and Mayor
Councillor Schuler stressed the importance of public relations for winegrowers and the tourism sector. He emphasized that awarding the WineCultureAmbassador is an essential part of these efforts. Mayor Felix Lanpacher thanked Mairhofer for his dedication to promoting Marling’s wine culture.
The Jury
The distinguished jury consisted of:
- Christine Mayr, President of the South Tyrolean Sommelier Association
- Heike Platter, wine expert
Eduard Bernhart, Director of South Tyrolean Wine
- Helmuth Köcher, organizer of the Merano WineFestival
- Sebastian Marseiler, wine journalist and author
- Manfred Pinzger, President of the HGV
Candidates were nominated by individuals. In this case, Ingrid Egger, a service instructor at the Kaiserhof Hotel School, nominated the Independent Winegrowers of South Tyrol.
Laudation and Conclusion of the Ceremony
The highlight of the event was the laudation delivered by Sebastian Marseiler, celebrating the achievements of the Independent Winegrowers of South Tyrol. At the conclusion, each participant received a copy of the book series “So kocht Südtirol – Drink Book” by bestselling authors Heinrich Gasteiger, Gerhard Wieser, and Helmuth Bachmann, along with beverage expert Christine Mayr. A special treat was the Marlengo Wine Praline by Klaus Pircher, available at his hotel. This praline combines wine artistry and indulgence with exquisite fillings of Merlot, Grappa, and Passito.