Wine lovers came together for the Viva Global Wine Expo, a three-day event that showcased international wine brands.

The expo featured eight companies with 20 wine brands from six different countries. It offered wine education, tastings and networking opportunities for Kenya’s growing wine market.

The event started with a media launch on day one. The launch brought together wine experts, hospitality workers and embassy representatives. It set the stage for the wine education program that followed.

During her opening speech, Meera Karia, Director of Business Development at Viva Global, shared the event’s bigger purpose.

“We are very proud to offer an experience that goes beyond wine tasting. It’s all about the community, the education and cultural exchange. Today, we raise a glass, not to just great wines, but to years of perseverance, innovation and shared passion,” she said.

Day two featured the public expo along with special media taster classes. Industry professionals and media representatives joined educational workshops that included A Rosé Affair, where they discovered the elegance and versatility of rosé wines, flavoured Crisps and Wine Pairing sessions that explored unexpected and creative pairings and Principles of Food and Wine Pairing, where participants learned the secrets that sommeliers use to elevate dining experiences.

The final day continued with the public wine expo, where people got hands-on experience with wine tasting and food pairing workshops. Attendees learned the basics of wine appreciation, including how to taste wine properly and how to match wines with food.

Reflecting on the event’s success, Meera Karia shared her excitement about the turnout.

“Our objective initially was to invite all our customers, and we are so overwhelmed with the response we’ve got with this expo. With the changing scene in Nairobi today, we’ve got so many hotels, we’ve got so many restaurants, so many new cuisines coming up. Kenyans want to try new things, new food, and wine of course, is a lovely pairing,” said Meera Karia.

People especially liked the educational parts of the event, with many praising how easy it was to understand.

“I came here knowing nothing about wine, but the tasting and pairing sessions really showed me how interesting wine can be,” said Eve Nyaga, a guest who attended the final day. 

The six countries at the expo brought different wine-making traditions and grape types, giving visitors a chance to try different regional styles and learn about different production methods.

This international focus fits with Kenya’s role as a regional centre for premium lifestyle experiences.

The Viva Global Wine Expo is not new to Kenya’s lifestyle calendar. The expo first debuted in 2019 but took a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.