The independent Vella Terra Barcelona natural wine fair, in its 5th edition, gathers together 161 producers of wine and other products from all over the world. As always, great Catalan and Spanish delegations, but also a large contingent of Italians and French and guests from Austria, Portugal, Germany, Sweden, Slovakia, Canada, United States, Belgium, Argentina, Czech Republic and Georgia, operating in the organic and natural wine. There was a high turnout between professionals of the national and international sector, in total more than 1500 people in 2 days, managing to hang the “sold out” sign at 5pm, leaving enough time to everyone to taste wines till the last cellar. Another year in which the natural wine community left its signature in Barcelona.
FIRST DAY: NEW MEMBERS AND SPARKLING WINE TASTING – VELLA TERRA BARCELONA
The first day of the fair, as far as it was decided to have two days of fair at the Estació del Nord, where included the winemakers who had been on the waiting list since a couple of years, in this way we were able to combine them with the annual sparkling tasting of Vella Terra, to create a different and innovative concept.
In total 43 natural / low-intervention wineries with all their cuvées and 26 natural / low-intervention wineries with their bottles of sparkling wines. To know them all: click here.
The winemakers of the second day had the opportunity to participate in the tasting on day 1 to meet, taste and interact with distributors, other winemakers and the visitors.
Experimenting and creating new things in each edition leaves a valuable lesson that pushes us to do better in future editions.
The result of this tasting fair was exceptional, hosting interested audiences from 12pm until the doors closing time. The atmosphere, as always, was festive and friendly, charging the energy the Vella Terra team and all the participants for the next day.
Price: it was included in the general price of Vella Terra Barcelona entry tickets (20 euros) for 2 days or for 1 day only with 43 + 26 producers, who wanted to come only to this tasting, the price was 10 euros.
After some experiences with public opinion in the past, we trying to take advantage of this blog that allows us in being able to clarify some choices and initiatives. We would like to emphasize about the matter of the comparison between events as a recurring topic and every year we see that is processed fairly superficially, in Vella Earth is something that worries and it is also a plot that ends up falling under its own weight and logic and, here we want to explain it better:
Vella Terra 1st day: included with the general admission of Vella Terra valid for two days of tasting or 10 euros, admission subject to capacity limit, for a tasting of 43 wineries all their cuvées and 26 wineries of sparkling wines only. 69 artisans in total.
Vella Terra 2nd day: two-day general ticket, 20 euros, valid for two days of tasting, 153 exhibitors of wine, 5 beers, 2 breads, 1 vinegar, extra virgin olive oil on several tables, 161 exhibitors in total between the two days of the fair, 20 euros is already a low price, calculated to the penny, this to allow the fair continuing to exist, at last we have to recalculate it every year.
Nonetheless, what someone is up to compare our event with others, the price is only one of the comparison factors, the others are the quality of the event’s production, the service for the exhibitor and the visitor and the necessary administrative costs for compliance with current regulations, this if you want to make a wiser comparison with other similar events.
SECOND DAY: VELLA TERRA BARCELONA: 119 ARTISANS SHOWING ALL THEIR CUVÉES, BEERS, ARTISAN BREAD AND EVO OIL.
On the second day, there were 119 wine artisans, who have always accompanied us, plus other wine artisans recommended by themselves. Since the first edition, we have always appreciated positively the recommendations among the artisans, being a distinctive point in our community.
Day 2 of Vella Terra: all the artisans who participated in day 1 had free access to the fair venue to socialize with distributors, other wine producers and the visitors to enjoy the tasting day in a relaxed way.
Like in past editions, the “sold out” was reached just before 4pm (time of ticket offices get closed), all the ones who had the advanced tickets and the ticket purchased at the entrance, workers, assistants and artisans could attend the tasting in a quiet way and until the end of the event.
We will always create the fair in a familiar way, which allows us to have visual contact with our artisans and our team and meet the public, it is something that has always characterized all the events of Vella Terra.
WE OBSERVE ALL REGULATIONS AND LICENSES FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF EVENTS REQUIRED BY OUR CITY.
The civil responsibility and the compliance of the required standards by our city have always been a priority for us, both at tax and regulatory level.
The city of Barcelona and the current legislation, in order to organize events, require the presence of security at the door, the capacity counter, medical insurance and a qualified team available for both exhibitors and participants. The control of the tables and the conduct during the fair is also a requirement of both, the city council and the administration of the Estacio del Nord, necessary for the event to take place.
The organization of Vella Terra fair takes a long time to organize the event due to the fulfilment of all the necessary requirements. Therefore we apologize for any kind of inconvenience that this organization may have caused to visitors or artisans, but these requests are mandatory for events in the city of Barcelona and anyone who set up events like ours and has a minimum of responsibility, should respect. Sometimes it doesn’t happen but this is another story.
We deeply appreciate that the majority of our artisans and visitors share and collaborate with the organization helping the fair run smoothly. They understand the different dynamics of legislation between cities or countries and the agreements that have been established with administrations. They are aware that the organizers are responsible for all and the costs for those who do not respect them.
WE CONNECT THE INDEPENDENT PRODUCER, THE DISTRIBUTOR AND THE FINAL CONSUMER.
Vella Terra Barcelona is an independent fair, away from the seal of any particular distributor or any association. Vella Terra was created for all winemakers, distributors and associations alike, invited to participate freely if they wish.
Since the first fair, the natural wine movement evolved effectively trying to unify, often obtaining positive responses, far from rivalry nevertheless the call we made was always effective, nurturing to all those who trade with natural wine, as a business opportunity, advertising and visibility, never obtained before.
For this reason, we do not understand the people or the organizations that for some years have invited rivalry, discord and without any coordination, create confusion between the public and exhibitors, making it difficult for those of us who work all the year to exalt the movement of Natural wine.
We invite to think from this blog pages, that in the next few years, if these people or organizations cannot help, they could try to be active and positive in the movement or act as a community, at least trying to not block the passage of the good energy that is breathed in the city during the days we run Vella Terra Barcelona. The energy is the engine for a good job and that brought so many visitors to our city, from our first fair.
It is important that they understand that bad intentions and the bad practices harm the whole group, sooner or later everything falls by its own weight. Nobody requires these people or organizations to comply with the laws or make a professional event, just do not devalue who do comply with them and try to make an event at the height of the artisans and the visitors who attend with favour the entire sector.
OUR AS A STANDARD, BUT OPEN TO THE WORLD.
The Vella Terra Barcelona fair stands as a necessary networking to boost artisanal wine and demarcation culture: the highest percentage is covered by wineries from the Catalan region, as well as others in the rest of Spain, such as the Balearic Islands, La Rioja, Andalucía, Comunidad Valenciana, Murcia, Castilla y León, Castilla la Mancha or Galicia, we also have the presence of pioneers and internationally recognized wineries from Austria, Portugal, Germany, Sweden, Slovakia, Canada, USA, Belgium , Argentina, Czech Republic and Georgia that practice organic, natural and biodynamic agriculture.
Vella Terra does not have public money or grants and this leaves us almost no margin to invite written press, distributions or “ambassadors.” Each entry counts as a support to the fair and its correct realization.
Likewise, we have the presence of highly interested distributors in the product we exhibit, the press that supports the movement who are coming from our region and from all over the world, with great predisposition. We have high level “ambassadors”, professionals of the sector, with a really high interest in our work.
WE SET COLLABORATIONS WITH GENUINE PROJECTS, CREATING COMMUNITY.
We support and count on the support of open minded pioneer companies of our country in the development and commercialization of genuine products or the wine sector. We believe in synergies, transforming the fair into a true networking, with natural wine as the main engine.
Agua de Benassal: it is a small water source located in the municipality of Benassal in the Alt Maestrat of Castellón. Due to its taste and quality it has been awarded several times with several international prizes. A family-run company that, since the 2nd edition, keeps our artisans and tasters hydrated.
80plus: a specialty coffee project that means traceability, sustainability, freshness and a completely different appreciation of sensory characteristics. Its managers and workers are lovers of natural wine and we have collaborated together since the 2nd edition.
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Pulltex: one of the most important brands of corkscrews and wine accessories in the market, with a line of wine accessories to facilitate and improve the service of wine at the table. They are characterized by their innovation, design and functionality. They have been with us since this year providing interesting synergies.
KMZERO: project for the use of tap water in hospitality that, through filters, achieves a neutral and ideal water, eliminating the extra costs and intermediaries that make the final product more expensive. With their reusable glass containers they respect the content and do not generate any waste.
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COLLABORATIONS WITH RESTAURANTS OF OUR CITY AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD:
Every Vella Terra fair we invite restaurants of the city that have always supported the movement of natural wine, to offer original and delicious tapas to our visitors. A symbolic act that unites us even more.
On Sunday February 9th, the first day of Vella Terra Barcelona, participated:
SOMORROSTRO, a restaurant that prepares its dishes only with local products with a wide range of natural wines. CRESTA COLORADA, a genuine Mexican restaurant, offering delicious dishes, artisan mezcals and an enviable menu of natural wines.
On Monday, February 10th, the second day of Vella Terra Barcelona, participated:
DOS PEBROTS, a restaurant that reinterprets Catalan recipes with a lot of history, with top quality products, their owners are pioneers in Barcelona to add natural wines to their wine lists. BACARO BAR traditional Venetian cuisine with market products, connected from some years to the world of natural wine.
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Outside the fair, we held events at the GARAGE BAR, this year it was up to FRANKIE NEW JERSEY (USA) on the night of February 7th, and on the night of February 8th we invited TYGE & SESSIL STOCKHOLM (SE). Both reputed restaurants where natural wines and first class food are served.
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CLEAR PARAMETERS OF PARTICIPATION AND COORDINATION WITH THE ARTISANS.
In Vella Terra Barcelona fair the analytic parameters are fully met. Click here
Analytics are required for all exposed wines. Every year there are surprises that escape to our filters and it could happen in all fairs, and only the day of the fair is discovered, that helps management to understand more the dynamics of participation for year after.
SELECTION OF WINERIES AND CRITERIA.
The selection of wineries present at the Vella Terra Barcelona fair is carried out by Alejandra Delfino, creative director, producer and expert in digital communication and Stefano Fraternali, specialized sommelier in natural wines, WSet , manager at the GARAGE BAR, (official bar of Vella Terra wine fair).
They are also distributors / exporters of a catalog, the only one in the city of Barcelona with natural wines only.
Both are fully immerse into the project with a solid criterion, being the bar, the headquarter of the fair and meeting point of artisans and distributors from around the world which also serves as a continuous showcase of wines for each one who exhibited in Vella Terra Barcelona fair, whether or not they have a distributor in the city, stimulating interest and keeping curiosity alive all year, holding events with artisans of the fair every month.
For almost a decade they have traveled all over Europe and other parts of the world, to meet artisans and taste their local wines. They know everyone involved in Vella Terra Barcelona fair, understanding the natural wine sector as a global community.
INDEPENDENT FAIR FIGURES VELLA TERRA 2020.
Vella Terra Barcelona 2020 convened 161 exhibitors who gathered in Barcelona between February 9th and10th of this year.
We counted around 850 different wine references and more than 3400 bottles of natural wine opened.
The number of visitors is around 1500 people, including guests and 500 distributors, exporters, local and international restaurateurs, related to the product we exhibit and wine-loving audience. This number has been maintained since our 2nd edition, being for the management a goal reached and a great success unprecedented in Barcelona, but we are not interested in overcoming it, but in keeping it, as we expose a product of limited, exclusive and artisan existence.
The used glass during the fair was recycled by the Barcelona City Council with which we have a participation agreement as a professional fair for the city sector.
REVIEW OF THESE 5 EDITIONS.
The first Vella Terra was on May 9th, 2016 at the Poble Español, the following years we sat it the month of FEBRUARY to the Estació del Nord as event venue, celebrating the 2nd fair on February 19th, the 3rd fair on February 12th, the 4th edition on February 11th and the last, for the first time, in two days, (hosting 40 winemakers who were on the waiting list) on February 9th – 10th, in total 154 artisans of natural wine.
Vella Terra Barcelona Fair 2020: Click here
Vella Terra Barcelona Fair 2019: Click here
Vella Terra Barcelona Fair 2018: Click here
Vella Terra Barcelona Fair 2017: Click here
Vella Terra Barcelona Fair 2016: Click here
What we say is what we do, so our official list guests is announced when all the artisans are confirmed. We believe that transparency in the community is fundamental.
Nuestra política nunca fue poner nombres que no estarán para inflar el cartel y si hay alguna baja la avisamos con antelación. Creemos que la transparencia en la comunidad es fundamental.
THE 5th EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FAIR OF THE NATURAL WINE OF BARCELONA HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL.
We deeply thank the artisans who place their trust in us every year, the strength, the will and the professionalism that they show every year as true ambassadors of a genuine and ancestral product, we thank professionals from the world of wine, collaborators, all our team and everyone from the public that accompanied us on February 9th and 10th at the Estació del Nord in Barcelona.
We announce that on February 23th and 24th, Vella Tera will hold an event within another well-known and one of the most important fairs in Italy, called Vinnatur, in the city of Genova. Link of the event.
It will be the first we will perform out of our country, trying to show the best of our land abroad with a selection of 11 pioneer wineries that you can see here
Together with our artisans, we will run a conference on climate change in the vineyard of different territories such as Catalonia, Castilla La Mancha and Pais Vasco lead by Stefano Fraternali as moderator and translator, Celler Jordi LLorens, Uva de Vida and Bodegas Azpillaga Urarte.
The Vella Terra Barcelona fair, will be re-edit only next year, and now begins a year of events and preparation to make it possible.
Thanks for joining us and see you soon!
