Wine Culture Ambassadors 2024 Honored in Marling:
Christine Mayr and Helmuth Köcher
On November 4, 2024, the historic Lebenberg castle hosted the ceremonial awarding of Marling's new WineCultureAmbassadors. For the first time, two distinguished figures were recognized jointly: Christine Mayr, sommelière, and Helmuth Köcher, founder and president of the Merano WineFestival. Both share a profound passion for South Tyrolean wine, contributing actively to the promotion of the region’s wine culture.
The WineCultureAmbassador title was introduced in 2018 to honor individuals who enrich South Tyrol's wine landscape with knowledge, dedication, and innovative impulses. Christine Mayr and Helmuth Köcher each received a certificate in recognition of their outstanding efforts to strengthen and promote South Tyrolean wine culture both locally and beyond. Walter Mairhofer, coordinator of Marling’s WineCulture, praised the awardees, highlighting their significant influence on the prestige of South Tyrolean wine.
The awarding of WineCultureAmbassadors is a central element of Marling’s WineCulture initiative, supported by tourism, gastronomy, and hospitality as well as by the local community. Mayor Felix Lanpacher emphasized the importance of wine-growing for Marling, noting the municipality’s openness to new projects in this field.
The highlight of the evening was a tribute speech delivered by Sebastian Marseiler, followed by a selection of culinary specialties by Karl Telfser. The awarding of the new WineCultureAmbassadors once again underscores the importance of wine culture as a unique hallmark and flagship of Marling and the surrounding region.