There is a market in Central Europe that continues to grow steadily, and Conegliano Valdobbiadene has decided to establish a long-term presence there. We are talking about Poland, which together with the Baltic and Central European countries represents the 7th largest export market, with growth of +18.2% in volume and +18.6% in value in 2024.
The debut will take place on May 10–12 in Warsaw, where the Consortium will sponsor the Polish Sommelier Championship.
The competition, organized by the Polish Sommeliers Association, selects each year the country’s top professionals and their representatives for international competitions, including those under the umbrella of the ASI – Association de la Sommellerie Internationale.

THE NEW CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE DOCG AMBASSADOR

For the Consortium, this is more than a simple sponsorship: the Denomination will be presented on several occasions by an exceptional leading figure.
Wojciech Bońkowski, the only Polish Master of Wine and the new Ambassador of Conegliano Valdobbiadene in Poland, will lead a masterclass reserved for 50 participants as well as a walk-around tasting.
A wine writer since 1999, founder of Winicjatywa — Poland’s leading wine website — and of the magazine Ferment, Wojciech Bońkowski earned the title of Master of Wine in 2023. In the same year, he received the Outstanding Achievement Award and the Madame Bollinger Medal for excellence in tasting.
He is also a Regional Chair at the Decanter World Wine Awards and a member of the Académie Internationale du Vin. Among his specialties are Italian wines, with particular attention to Veneto and sparkling wines. It would be difficult to imagine a more fitting ambassador for our region.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN WARSAW

The Protection Consortium will be present at the Polish Sommelier Championship as an official sponsor. In addition to the masterclass and tasting, Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG wines will be served during the gala dinner attended by competing sommeliers and representatives of neighboring countries’ associations. The wines of the Denomination will also be available at the Bar des Sommeliers, a tasting area open to the public.
Overall, wines from 22 wineries in the region will be featured throughout the various events. It is a highly qualified showcase before a technical audience that influences wine lists, importers, and the restaurant sector.
As a partner of the Sommeliers Association, the Consortium will also gain visibility through the organization’s website, newsletter, and social media channels.

A PROGRAM, NOT JUST A SINGLE EVENT

The Polish Sommelier Championship is only the first step in a broader calendar of activities developed together with the new Ambassador, Bońkowski.
In June, a second masterclass is scheduled in Warsaw for sommeliers, restaurateurs, and wine bar managers. Another event, organized in collaboration with the Polish Sommeliers Association, is planned for the autumn.
Throughout the year, four publications dedicated to Conegliano Valdobbiadene will also appear in Ferment, the most important wine magazine in Poland.
The program will conclude on November 22–23 with the Ferment Warsaw Wine Experience, the leading event for the local market, attracting a selected audience of around 800 participants. On that occasion, two masterclasses will be held with the direct involvement of the wineries.

In short, this strategy combines education, tastings, editorial communication, and events.
For the member wineries, it represents an important visibility opportunity before the most informed and influential segment of the Polish wine market.