Our partner Diane de Valbray will be attending the 41st AIDV (International Wine Law Association) International Conference, which will take place in Stellenbosch, South Africa, from 16 to 18 October 2026.
The conference will address the main legal challenges facing the global wine sector. Key topics will include neo-prohibitionism and labelling, the regulation of dealcoholized (no/low alcohol) wines, and anti-counterfeiting tools. Attention will also be given to the contractual aspects of investments, intellectual property rights over new grape varieties, and the protection of historic vineyards.
On Friday 16 October, Diane will be chairing a panel discussion entitled “Politics – Countries Which Refuse to Register or Protect Wine GIs and What Can One Do to Protect GIs in Such Countries?” featuring speakers Marie-Anne Humbert Genand, head of the legal department at the Comité Champagne (Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne or CIVC), Kathryn Thornton, an associate at Morrison Foerster, and Marius Schneider, founder of IPvocate Africa Legal Advisers.
Find out more about the event program and details at this LINK.