Wine association Vinea has announced its new head, Valérie Crittin-Favre, who joins the organization in November 2019. She replaces Raphaël Gross, former director, who left two months ago after some months with the association. The new post is administrative, overseeing the technical and administration team, with additional responsibility for developing marketing and communication.

Vinea has been known for more than 20 years for its annual wine festival in Sierre, Valais, one of the first major Swiss wine events designed to bring together producers and a large public. At the same time it developed expertise in organizing and managing international wine competitions. Today it holds the world Pinot and Merlot competitions and organizes the annual Swiss national wine competition with European wine magazine Vinum.

The organization has in recent months faced a number of challenges, from the sudden death of its longtime director, Elisabeth Pasquier, to a changing national wine market and greater competition for its wine fair.

Valérie Crittin-Favre has been a member of the Vinea board since 2013. She has worked in marketing for the Schenk group for nearly 20 years and she has also been responsible for communications for the Association Clos, Domaines et Châteaux for several years.