Charles Jefferson
Co-President (Vice President of Federal & International Public Policy, Wine Institute, United States)
The International
Wine Federation
FIVS exists to speak for and represent the global wine sector — shaping fair, sustainable and responsible production standards and trade across all regions.
What We Do
FIVS, the International Wine Federation, is the global voice of wine. We develop strong relationships, cultivate close collaboration, and support the growth of a wine industry that is open to all who wish to explore it.
As a worldwide membership organisation, we represent and advocate for the wine sector — building bridges between the vibrant face of modern wine and proud heritage; between thousands of wine businesses and global policy-making; and between responsibility and technical progress.
Our Vision
A thriving, dynamic and responsive international wine sector that generates sustainable economic growth in a fair operating environment and promotes responsible production and consumption of the world’s most recognised and culturally significant drink.
A Word From Our CEO
"FIVS's mission is to support the understanding, the operation, and the global needs of the international wine community. Whether it is tackling regulatory challenges, taking forward environmental sustainability initiatives, or dealing with fair rules and standards, we are here to help our industry thrive in an ever‑changing world."
— Julie Hesketh-Laird, CEO
Advocating
for Wine
FIVS reflects the diversity and global scope of the wine sector, giving voice to members spanning producers, vineyards, bottlers, retailers, and more — across regions, cultures, and the wine supply chain. This is the basis of our impactful advocacy. FIVS is the only global wine-sector organisation with a unique focus on wine, an internationally traded product. We engage extensively with global stakeholders in wine.
FIVS is the only organisation in the alcohol body sector to hold official observer status at Codex Alimentarius and, also is an official observer at the Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin (OIV) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) where many future national wine rules originate.
Everything we do is rooted in sound evidence and a commitment to responsibility in key areas such as the environment, economic sustainability, and public health, delivered with enduring optimism for the future of wine, and a passion for preserving its heritage and protecting its future.
This is a positive vision for wine that encourages innovation, promotes high standards, and supports a successful, sustainable path forward — in which the technical, cultural, and commercial value of wine is recognised, nurtured, and developed.
Presidential Council
A global group with diverse experience and areas of expertise — uniting to represent the wine industry on the world stage.
Ignacio Sánchez Recarte
Co-President (Secretary General, Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins, Belgium)
Michael Lurie
Vice-President (Managing Director - Brand Strategy, Constellation Brands, United States)
Miles Beale
Vice-President (Chief Executive, WSTA, United Kingdom)
Sarah Wilson
Vice-President (General Manager of Advocacy and General Counsel, New Zealand Winegrowers, New Zealand)
Nicolas Ozanam
Treasurer (Secretary General, AFED, France)
Bruno Kessler
Secretary (President, AFED, France)
Dan Paszkowski
Assistant Secretary (President & CEO, Wine Growers Canada, Canada)
José Luís Benítez
Member-at-Large (Director-General, Spanish Wine Federation, Spain)
Ned Hewitson
Member-at-Large (General Manager - Regulation and General Counsel, Wine Australia, Australia)
FIVS Executive
The operational team coordinating the ongoing functionality and activities of The International Wine Federation.
Julie Hesketh-Laird
Chief Executive (through Hesketh-Laird Consulting)
Laura Gelezuinas
Policy Director
Karen Geronimo
Office Manager
FIVS Structure
FIVS comprises a General Assembly (our members), a Presidential Council (our Board), and an Executive (our Team). Our work is supported by several committees.
General Assembly
Held twice annually in important winegrowing regions and markets, FIVS General Assemblies include representatives from each member.
Presidential Council
The FIVS Presidential Council is essentially the FIVS Board. It sets the FIVS Strategy and is accountable to the General Assembly for its implementation.
Executive
The FIVS Executive coordinates activities to ensure the smooth functioning of the Federation, its committees, and its programme of work to deliver on our strategy.
Committees
Dedicated committees report to PRESCO and drive FIVS positions on substantive issues:
- Wine & Society Committee
- Christo Conradie (South Africa Wine, South Africa)
- Rob Taylor (Wine Growers Canada, Canada)
- Trade & Global Economics Committee
- Jamie Ferman (Wine Institute, United States)
- Nicola Tinelli (Unione Italiana Vini, Italy)
- Wine & Sustainability Committee
- Patricio Parra (Vinos de Chile, Chile)
- Chris Savage (Gallo, United States)
- Codex Committee
- Tim Ryan (Gallo, United States)
- Eric Wilkes (Australian Wine Research Institute, Australia)
- OIV Committee
- Ignacio Sánchez Recarte (Comité européen des entreprises vins, Belgium)
- Scientific & Technical Committee
- Jennifer Turner (Wine and Spirit Trade Association, United Kingdom)
- Eric Wilkes (Australian Wine Research Institute, Australia)
The Scientific & Technical Committee supports all our Committees and PRESCO ensuring our work is founded on sound science.
75 Years of FIVS
FIVS was established in Europe in the early 1950s, in a period of great economic development for the alcohol beverage sector.
Since then, our mission has expanded with increased internationalisation and a growing membership across continents.
1951
Creation of the Fédération internationale des industries et du commerce en gros des vins, spiritueux, eaux-de-vie et liqueurs — with 12 founding European members.
1960
First FIVS member in North America.
1978
First FIVS member in Oceania.
1979
First FIVS member in Africa.
1981
• Observership status with Codex Alimentarius.
• Introduction of 'FIVS' acronym.
• First FIVS member in Latin America.
2001
Observership status with OIV.
2007
First FIVS member in Asia.
2017
'Triple bottom line of sustainability' alignment.
2020
Adoption of FIVS as organisation name.
2021
FIVS 70th Anniversary.
2024
FIVS appoints its first CEO.
2026
FIVS 75th Anniversary.
FIVS refreshes identity to FIVS, The International Wine Federation, though legal basis remains unchanged.
”Wine has a bright future. As the world’s most culturally significant drink we will continue to support, protect and champion wine, advocating for the sector globally. We continue to shine a light on the great work of the sector in sustainable production, marketing and consumption of wine and offer space for our members to share their good practices among the global winegrowing community.”
