The Old Vine Hero Awards and the Scottish Design Awards have introduced new categories to recognize creativity and heritage in their respective fields.
The Old Vine Hero Awards, now in its third year, is expanding its scope with the addition of four fresh categories. This initiative, part of the Old Vine Conference (OVC), aims to spotlight and support the preservation of old vines across the globe. The 2025 awards will honor achievements in five categories: Next Generation, Best Viticulture Team, Communication & Education, Research, and Old Vines, New Technology.
Nomination submissions for the Old Vine Hero Awards are open to individuals, groups, and organizations that are deeply engaged in the old vine movement. Entries are free, and nominations will close on February 21, 2025. A panel of international old vine experts will evaluate the nominations, and shortlisted finalists will be announced on March 12. Winners will be revealed during a live webinar on March 31.
The OVC, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to fostering global recognition for wines produced from heritage vineyards. One of its key initiatives is the Old Vine Register, a global database of old vines created by prominent wine experts including Jancis Robinson MW and Tamlyn Currin. The project is now spearheaded by OVC co-founders Sarah Abbott MW, Alun Griffiths MW, and Leo Austin, along with their team of global collaborators.
In parallel, the Scottish Design Awards 2025, which launched on February 3, is introducing new categories to further celebrate architectural and design innovation. This year’s additions include a conservation category, honoring projects that excel in preserving built heritage, alongside the returning retrofit category, which focuses on projects that enhance energy performance. Additionally, three new brand identity categories—corporate, consumer, and civic—have been introduced to better recognize distinct types of design work.
The Scottish Design Awards are also evolving to offer a year-round platform for creativity through the introduction of The Scoop, a weekly update available on their website. Cat Leaver, Director of Strategy & Competitive Intelligence at Visit Scotland, emphasized the importance of purposeful design, stating, “Winning entries are a balance of form and function, where the design can intrigue and inspire but the work also clearly demonstrates how it supports the outcome.”
Both the Old Vine Hero Awards and the Scottish Design Awards invite entries through their respective online platforms, with deadlines set for February 21 and March 28, 2025. Winners in each category will receive global recognition via OVC’s media outreach and complimentary entry to Day 1 of The Old Vine Conference 2025, Meeting of the Minds, in California (travel expenses excluded). These awards reflect a growing commitment to preserving tradition while fostering innovation in the wine and design sectors.
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