Alliance Welcomes Paarl, South Africa as the Newest Member & Announces 2026 Summit in Hungary and Croatia
March 10, 2026 (Livemore, CA) — The Global Artisan Vintners Alliance (Global AVA) celebrates the first anniversary of its founding by announcing a new member region and the 2026 Summit in Hungary and Croatia. The Alliance was established in early 2025 to create and promote a union of sustainable partner wine regions across the globe and currently includes twelve member regions. Founded by nine co-founding regions, the Alliance added three more in its first year, including its newest member, Paarl, South Africa.
“Within one year, our Alliance entered a new phase, with more regions and more content sharing contributing to growth of thriving and resilient regions, just like what we are doing in Alameda County, ” said David Haubert, Alameda County, District 1 Supervisor, who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Global AVA, and serves as its President. “From content sharing among the regions, including the upcoming Summit 2026 in Badacsony Wine region in Hungary, and Dalmatia, Croatia, we continue to create closer collaborations for growth across diverse sectors, which we believe will empower each of the regional economies and enable new employment opportunities.” Supervisor Haubert has served the Alameda County District 1 since November 2020.
The Global AVA Summit 2026 will take place in Budapest and Badacsony, with lectures, collaborative workshops and winery visits for three days and continues in Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Split, for additional three days. Representatives from all of the partner regions will meet the local wine and tourism leaders, exchange ideas, and introduce their regions’ wines to the hosting regions.
“We continue to focus on programs that connect us as communities that share best practices in not only the wine industry, but also include creating vibrant opportunities across wine, tourism and other sectors,” said Mirena Bagur, executive director of the Global Artisan Vintners Alliance. “We start our second year strong by welcoming the well-regarded Paarl region from South Africa, which being in the southern hemisphere enables us to have a balanced mix of members for professional exchanges.”
The GLOBAL AVA’s Newest Member: Paarl, South Africa
“As one of South Africa’s oldest wine regions, the Paarl Wine Route understands the value of meaningful international collaboration, and we are honored to join the Global Artisan Vintners Alliance, which allows us to stand alongside like-minded regions committed to premium quality, shared learning, and long-term growth,” said Tristyn Biggs, manager of the Paarl Wine Route association from South Africa. “Through this partnership, we look forward to the exchange of knowledge, people, and perspectives that strengthens not only our own region, but the global wine community as a whole.”
The Global Artisan Vintners Alliance (Global AVA) was founded in the Livermore Valley, Alameda County, California, and currently consists of 12 international wine regions including Chilecito, Argentina; Vale dos Vinhedos, Brazil; Dalmatia, Croatia; Chinon, France; Imereti, Georgia; Badacsony, Hungary; Chianti Rufina, Italy; Baja California, Mexico; Alentejo, Portugal; Paarl, South Africa, Livermore Valley Wine Community, California and Texas Hill Country Wineries, Texas.
The Global AVA was established to foster collaboration and exchange of information between winemakers, wine associations, government representatives, tourism and economic development organizations, and business associations. Representatives of the partner wine regions actively participate in professional development opportunities, exchanges, and joint marketing programs. For more information and to sign up for the Global AVA newsletter, visit theglobalava.org.
ABOUT THE GLOBAL AVA
Headquartered in Livermore, CA, The Global Artisan Vintners Alliance (Global AVA), was established in February 2025 to create a mutually-beneficial alliance of partner wine regions across the globe that promote collaboration and share best practices around viticulture, market dynamics, agri- and eno-tourism to elevate each wine region and their global presence. Media and wine regions interested in more information about the Global AVA and membership opportunities, can contact us at info@theglobalAVA.org. Or, follow us on Facebook @The-Global-AVA, Instagram @TheGlobalAVA and LinkedIn.
