The Wine Origins Alliance (WOA) has welcomed the Spanish region Ribera Del Duero to its global wine place name protection coalition.
WOA, which celebrated its 20th anniversary at Wine Paris 2025, aims to protect wine region names and eliminate wine trade barriers. The Alliance formally welcomed its newest member, Ribera Del Duero, at a reception and signing ceremony at Wine Paris on the afternoon of 10 February.
The Spanish region joins WOA as its 34th member of winery and grape-growing organisations in nine countries, all of which are signatories to the Alliance’s Joint Declaration to Protect Wine Place & Origin. The Alliance states its mission to be ensuring that wine places of origin are respected, and seeks to advance that aim by uniting wine regions around the world.
Ribera Del Duero has a strong claim to international significance. The region is located around 100 miles north of Madrid and has a history of winemaking that dates back to Roman times. In modern times, it has become highly associated with a Spanish fine wine renaissance, with producers such as
Vega Sicilia driving the country's fine wine sales.
Miguel Sanz Cabrejas, director general of the Consejo Regulador de la Denominación de Origen Ribera del Duero, commented: “For more than 2,500 years, Ribera del Duero’s history has been deeply intertwined with winemaking. Shaped by unique high-altitude conditions and a dramatic climate, our vineyards produce wine that exemplifies the importance of place. We are proud to join the Wine Origins Alliance and celebrate this heritage with wine lovers around the world.”
Linda Reiff, president and CEO of the Napa Valley Vintners, a founding member of WOA and co-chair of the steering committee, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Ribera del Duero to the Wine Origins Alliance as we enter our 20th year. We look forward to adding their voice and perspective to those of our 33 other members as we raise awareness about issues impacting winemakers around the world.”
Since its establishment in 2005, the Alliance has emerged as a collective voice for the wine industry. Over the past 20 years, it has achieved significant milestones in its advocacy efforts, including passing bipartisan congressional resolutions that recognise the importance of American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) and obtaining observer status at the International Organisation for Vine and Wine (OIV). These initiatives and the Alliance's participation in international discussions continue to support the growth and prosperity of the wine industry.
As the next stop after Wine Paris, Alliance members are due to travel to Geneva. There they will participate in meetings and events at the World Trade Organisation and the World Intellectual Property Organisation.
