25 years ProWein

Dear ProWein friends,

In 1994, France and England were connected by a tunnel under the English Channel to facilitate passenger and goods traffic within the EU. American troops filed through Berlin for the last time. Many countries, like South Africa, achieved social freedom. The year was marked by a certain political mildness and confidence in the aftermath of 1989. Economically, it was part of the longest uninterrupted growth phase in history.

On the 23rd and 24th of February that year, around 1,500 visitors gathered in one of the Düsseldorf Exhibition Center’s halls for PRO VINS. They sampled the wines of 321 exhibitors, in what was probably the largest wine tasting to date in this beer capital on the Rhine. The public were blissfully unaware and only trade visitors were permitted entry.

In retrospect, 1994 was a bygone era in today’s wine industry. Trends such as prosecco, organic, cool climate, craft beer, low alcohol or orange wine may come and go, but they were always present at ProWein. This trade fair has accompanied developments over the last 25 years like no other. In that sense, ProWein hasn’t changed the world, but rather the wine world.

Your Prowein team wish you much enjoyment!