The "Vereinigung deutschsprachiger Weinpublizisten - Weinfeder e.V." (Association of German-speaking wine journalists - Weinfeder), based in Mainz, was founded in 2000. The association is selfless and non-profit making and does not primarily pursue its own economic purposes. It sees itself as an association of wine journalists with the aim of serving the internal and external communication of wine journalists and the wine industry, of publishing houses and media institutions as well as consumers. This is to be achieved through the following measures:
- Internal understanding of the ethical principles of wine journalistic work
- the greatest possible transparency in all questions of economic integration
- Promotion of the competence of wine journalists
- Promotion of young wine journalists
- Sensitization of members for professional and ethical problems of wine journalism
- Implementation of joint events, e.g. discussion forums, seminars etc.
- Establishment of a central interface between wine publicists and the wine industry
- Representation of wine journalistic interests towards publishing houses and electronic media
- Measures to promote the image and seriousness of wine journalism
- Representation of German-speaking wine journalists in wine journalists' associations(FIJEV)
- Measures to promote wine culture
- Measures to protect the final consumer
Since 2003, the association has published a "Weinfeder Journal" as a newsletter four times a year, which is distributed to interested parties by e-mail. At irregular intervals, the association awards a "Preis der Deutschen Weinkritik" and a "Förderpreis der Deutschen Weinkritik" to wine producers or wine organisations who have rendered outstanding services to wine. Since 2009, honorary memberships have been awarded to journalists whose professional achievements in wine journalism are to be honoured. Weinfeder e.V. also represents the German section of FIJEV, i.e. all of them are also members of FIJEV, the international organisation of journalists for wine and spirits. See also under literature, wine guides and wine critics.
