The President and the Pope at the wine fair – 50 years of Vinifera in Biel

anniversary | 16. November 2023

The organizers Daniel Leuenberger and Daniel Peter came up with various highlights for the birthday. One of these was the pre-event “Bielersee Total” on Monday, where the winemakers from the region were in the foreground. Both the president and the pope spoke at the official opening: the mayor of Biel, Erich Fehr, and the wine pope, René Gabriel. The wine fair in the Swiss Tennis Arena at Roger-Federer-Allee 1 lasts until Sunday evening.

The Vinifera will take place until Sunday evening at Swiss Tennis at Roger-Federer-Allee 1 in Biel.Photos: Matthias Mast

The most striking thing about the anniversary wine fair can be discovered everywhere on the streets of the city of Biel: the posters designed by the internationally known Biel artists MS Bastian and Isabelle L. herald new vigor. Exclusive T-shirts, postcards and wine glasses are designed in the same style.

The duo “A Fine Romance” with singer Angèle Thijs and Jürg Freudiger on bass provided the swing and groove at the Vinifera.

Vinifera organizer Daniel Leuenberger welcomes the guests at the official opening.

The speakers at the official opening of the 50th Vinifera also presented themselves with great enthusiasm: organizer Daniel Leuenberger revived his dream of having his own wine hall, mayor Erich Fehr congratulated the event on his birthday and wished him every success.

The mayor of Biel, Erich Fehr, opens the Vinifera. Next to him (right) is Vinifera organizer Daniel Leuenberger.

Wine pope René Gabriel, for his part, was happy about the best glasses (his) at the wine fair. The star wine critic caused a stir when he said: “People asked me if I was the Robert Parker of Switzerland, I answered: No, Robert Parker is the René Gabriel of the USA.”

Conclusion: Fine wines and big words belong together!

Wine pope René Gabriel emphasized the quality of the glasses when enjoying wine.

In addition to Gabriel, other wine greats will grace the Vinivera: wine sensory expert Urs Messerli from the mille sens groupe in Bern and Curdin Janett, founder and co-owner of Fromages Mauerhofer, will present a four-course cheese menu with side dishes and of course with matching wines.

During the wine talks, the two “DipWSET” Daniel Peter and Barbara Josi impart basic wine knowledge in an exciting and inspiring way. “The designation means that Level 4 of the London Wine & Spirit Education Trust has been completed with a diploma,” explains trade fair boss Leuenberger. “Daniel and Barbara are top-class wine connoisseurs!”

The Vinifera starts on Wednesday evening. “All stands are occupied,” says Leuenberger happily. «25 exhibitors – most of them well-known shops – present wines from all over the world, from Portugal to Argentina, from South Africa to Australia. There are wines for every taste and every budget. I am sure that Vinifera will be a great success again this year.” By the way, the Biel jazz formation “A Fine Romance” provided a lot of swing and good groove at the start.

At stand number 26, the young top chefs from the Culinary Artists will be providing modern, “Swiss-style” tapas. Robert Kapp is once again responsible for a well-groomed coffee break: Casa Cucina offers the best coffee and top machines at stand 18. And finally, at stand 21b, the Biel Distillerie du Chêne will be offering urban gin creations, whisky, liqueurs and much more.

Cheers to another 50 years of Vinifera!