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Jul 21 2026
Culinary Professionals Visit Vinoble as Part of Food & Wine Trade Missions
An international delegation comprising leading figures from the hospitality sector and wine educators from four continents visited the Vinoble International Wine Festival held at the historic Alcázar of Jerez de la Frontera. Participants discovered the wines of DO Jerez-Xérès Sherry as part of the two trade missions organized by Foods and Wines from Spain (FWS): the Spanish Wine Educator 2026 program and the Hospitality Tour 2026.
Taking place between May 24 and June 3, the Spanish Wine Educator 2026 provided a unique opportunity for 14 handpicked candidates to gain a richer understanding of wines from Spain. The program was tailored to wine sector specialists and comprised both a training component and field visits.
Guests from Canada, China, Ecuador, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Japan, the Philippines, Portugal, and the USA completed an initial three-day course in Madrid at The Wine Studio. These three days of educational training comprised masterclasses, talks from renowned speakers, meetings with producers, and blind tasting challenges.
Another key part of the Trade Mission was the Hospitality Tour 2026, which took place between May 24 and June 5. F&B executive chefs from hotel chains across 14 different countries were educated about the products, processes, techniques, and traditions that underpin Spanish gastronomy.
The international delegation comprised 15 specially selected guests from Albania, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, El Salvador, India, Jordan, Panama, Peru, South Africa, Thailand, the USA, and Vietnam.
The visit to Vinoble was part of a set of larger immersive discovery journeys, during which the participants gained first-hand insights into Spanish food and wine practices, techniques, and traditions. FWS led extensive tours that took in a variety of regions across Spain, providing valuable experience for the delegation of international professionals.
Vinoble 2026: Prestige Meets Heritage
One of the world’s most respected international fine wine exhibitions, Vinoble is dedicated exclusively to noble wines, including fortified, liqueur, and special sweet varieties. The annual event takes place at the historic Alcázar of Jerez de la Frontera – an ancient Moorish fortress and palace in Andalusia, constructed between the 12th and 13th Centuries. Over 7,000 people attended, including industry professionals, sommeliers, and international buyers, all of whom gathered to explore Spain’s best fine wines.
Participants from the Spanish Wine Educator and the Hospitality Tour took the time to explore the historic venue at their leisure, networking with renowned industry professionals, savoring the variety of wine exhibited, and fully immersing themselves in the world of Spanish noble wines.
In addition to this first-time visit to Vinoble, each delegation was welcomed by importers and distributors of Spanish food products, as well as representatives of Restaurants from Spain-certified establishments and Colmados from Spain specialty stores, as part of a set of specially designed educational experiences.
Spanish Wine Educator 2026
Following an entire weekend at the Vinoble Wine Fair, the Spanish Wine Educator 2026 participants embarked on a trip that took in vineyard visits, tours, talks, tastings, and masterclasses between Extremadura and Jerez de la Frontera. Participants were also treated to special pairing lunches at traditional wine bodegas in DO Méntrida, Extremadura, DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry, Grandes Pagos, and Ronda.
Upon completion of the course, the successful candidates were awarded a Spanish Wine Educator Certificate, recognizing their enriched knowledge and understanding of Spanish wine, knowledge they will use to inspire wine lovers and professionals in their home countries.
Hospitality Tour 2026
Foundational Learning
During the initial educational part of the Hospitality Tour 2026, participants visited the Basque Culinary Centre, immersing themselves in the rich culinary and wine culture of the region, before discovering the world of cured ham with a visit to Campus del Jamón Monte Nevado, the first world center dedicated entirely to the training, research, and culture of cured ham. The visit culminated with an illuminating workshop on sense tasting and ham carving.
The initial part of the program culminated with a visit to Mercamadrid, the largest fresh food distribution, wholesale, processing and logistic platform in Spain, a visit that included a guided gastronomic experience.
Granada
Participants headed to Granada in Andalusia, where they visited the award-winning Caviar Riofrío, a global leader and a pioneer in the haute cuisine industry. Caviar de Riofrío is the first certified organic caviar in the world, made entirely without preservatives, and developed within the unique natural environment of Riofrío, a small village in the Loja mountains.
Next, the delegation visited La Palma Sur, an award-winning agricultural cooperative that is globally recognized as one of the largest producers and exporters of cherry tomatoes and specialty mini-vegetables in Europe. La Palma Sur is renowned for its eco-friendly innovation and a strong commitment to its local community, championing a strict circular economy model and using only natural processes.
Almería
Participants visited the Oleo Almanzora olive oil mill in Almería, known for its award-winning gourmet Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO). Here, they enjoyed a walking tour through the olive groves, explored the cellar and bottling rooms, and enjoyed guided tastings.
The next venue on the Hospitality Tour was Cárnicas Diego Molina, a traditional family business specializing in the manufacturing and distribution of artisan meat products, including Ibérico chorizo and Ibérico salchichón. This was followed by show cooking and dinner at Sabores Almería Shop, including a wine tasting with Sommelier José Moreno.
Finally, the delegation gained valuable insights into the future of sustainable, year round food production with a visit to the Única Group high-tech greenhouse.
These trade missions provided professionals from all over the world with a deeply engaging tour of Spain’s rich culinary traditions. By educating and inspiring in equal measure, these discovery experiences reinforce Spain’s position as a global leader in food and wine products.