Vinexposium announces nominees for V d’Or awards 2026
Vinexposium has announced the nominees for its V d’Or awards, which includes companies from Norway and Bhutan, as well as the UK and France, along with Austria, Peru and Portugal, in what is being declared an especially international list of entrants.
Speaking about the awards, which will be announced on 8 February this year, on the eve of Wine Paris – alongside the Institute of Masters of Wine Annual Lifetime Achievement Award – CEO of Vinexposium Rodolphe Lameyse said, “This year’s nominees reflect the key forces driving our industry today: innovation, sustainability and education.”
He added, “Their diversity and the quality of their initiatives show how many players are delivering practical answers addressing the evolution of wine, spirits and no-low drinks.”
The list of nominees for the V d’Or, which is now in its third year, can be see below, along with this year’s judging panel.
BEST EDUCATION & TRANSMISSION – WINE
- France / Singapore – ASI x Sommelier Association of Singapore
Advancing global sommelier education through international collaboration
- Austria – Austrian Wine Marketing Board
Empowering future wine professionals through structured B2B education
- France – Comité Champagne (E-Learning Champagne)
Democratising Champagne knowledge via accessible digital learning
- India – Sonal Holland Academy x Wine & Spirit Education Trust
Raising women’s wine-education standards in India through certified programmes
- Australia – Wine Australia (Future Leaders)
Developing the next generation of Australian wine leaders
BEST EDUCATION & TRANSMISSION – SPIRITS
- France – Bureau National Interprofessionnel de l’Armagnac
Preserving and transmitting Armagnac heritage through education
- France – Centre International des Spiritueux
Supporting spirits expertise through professional training programmes in Cognac
- United Kingdom – The Whisky Exchange
Sharing spirits knowledge through education and consumer outreach
BEST INNOVATION – WINE
- France – AgrafesVitis4.0
Reimagining viticulture efficiency through technological innovation
- France – Baron Philippe de Rothschild
Innovating wine formats to meet new consumer expectations
- Portugal – Odelabev, LDA
Developing wine-based sparkling botanical aperitifs
- France – Pierre Chavin
Pioneering alcohol-free wines with quality and precision
- France –SAS Ice Tropez
Introducing new wine-based cocktails for contemporary wine drinkers
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BEST INNOVATION – SPIRITS
- Peru – Bodega Santa Maria Magdalena
Converting gender equity into competitive advantage and new demand
- Norway – Contagious x Feddie Ocean Distillery
Innovating ocean-aged spirits with environmental awareness by female-led distillery
- United Kingdom – Diageo x PA Consulting
Applying innovation in a Johnnie Walker paper-based bottle to reduce plastic use and carbon footprint.
BEST SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE – WINE
- Portugal – BA Glass
Reducing wine packaging impact through sustainable glass solutions
- United States – California Wine Institute (Climate Action Toolkit)
Providing practical tools for climate action in viticulture
- France – Famille Perrin
Advancing upcycling practices in Rhône Valley vineyards
- United Kingdom – Regenerative Viticulture Foundation
Promoting living soils and resilient vineyard ecosystems
- Portugal – The Porto Protocol
Encouraging climate dialogue and shared sustainability commitments
BEST SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE – SPIRITS
- Denmark – Clean Spirits
Producing spirits with renewable energy and low environmental impact
- Canada – Distillerie du Fjord
Crafting spirits with local sourcing and low‑impact processes
- United States – Suntory Global Spirits – Star Hill Farm Whisky
Integrating biodiversity, water stewardship, and regenerative farming
JURY’S SPECIAL MENTION
- France – Calvados Christian Drouin SAS
Combining digital creativity, humor, and community engagement.
- Bhutan – Bhutan Wine Company
Opening new extreme‑wine frontiers with sustainability at their core.
- United Kingdom – Sustainability In Drinks
Driving industry‑wide sustainability through education and advocacy.
- France – Terra Vitis
Championing responsible and traceable winegrowing practices.
THE JUDGING PANEL
- Honorary President Michel Chapoutier, Owner of M.Chapoutier (France)
- Christophe Juarez, CEO, Terroirs & Vignerons de Champagne (France)
- Honore Comfort, VP International Marketing, Wine Institute & California Wines (USA)
- Mario Piccini, CEO, Piccini 1882 (Italy)
- Nimmi Malhotra, Independent wine and drinks writer, Rosso Bianco (Singapore)
- Christian Wylie, Managing Director, Bodega Garzón (Uruguay)
- François-Xavier Desplancke, President & CEO, Belvedere Vodka (France)
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