During the board meeting of the Union of European National Football Teams of Winemakers (UENFW) at this year's ProWein, the French national team of winemakers, Les Bleus du Vin, was officially admitted to the UENFW. Founded by Denis Abraham, Coordinator for DACH – BeNeLux in Wine & Spirits / WineTech at the French Embassy – Business France, the team aims to promote diversity, cohesion, respect, and fair play within the French and European wine industries. The first friendly soccer match for Les Bleus du Vin against Germany will take place on August 30, 2025, in Geisenheim during the Open Campus of Geisenheim University, at the invitation of the Weinelf, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2025.
According to their own statements, Les Bleus du Vin is actively seeking soccer-enthusiast wine professionals with a good playing standard; eligible players include producers as well as journalists, wine merchants, or distributors with French nationality, living in France or abroad. The new team will participate next year in Vinoeuro 2026 the European Championship of Winemakers, which will take place from May 27th to 30th, 2026, in Tuscany with 10 national teams.
The UENFW aims to strengthen the European wine industry through sporting competition, cultural exchange, and sustainable initiatives, and promotes close networking among European winemakers.
