Paper bottles and cucumber gin among V d’Or winners
At an awards ceremony last week, Vinexposium presented its V d’Or Awards, recognising organisations, institutions and projects driving the global drinks industry forward.
To kick off Wine Paris last week, Vinexposium revealed the winners of its V d’Or Awards. At a ceremony packed with the ‘who’s who’ of the global drinks trade – including a businesswoman who moonlights as a pop star – seven organisations and initiatives received recognition from the international panel of judges.
Yes, Kylie Minogue was on hand to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Andrew Jefford, as db covered last week.
The night’s competitive categories, however, spanned the less glamorous, but no less important, fields of education and transmission, innovation and sustainability. From 28 shortlisted finalists, just seven emerged as eventual victors.
Best Education and Transmission
Sonal Holland Academy x Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) secured the prize on the wine side. The initiative, a collaboration between Sonal Holland MW leading academy for beverage education in India and the foremost global drinks education charity, seeks to encourage equal representation for women in the country’s wine industry.
Turning to spirits, the Bureau National Interprofessionnel de l’Armagnac (BNIA) secured the award for the host nation. Its Armagnac Educator certification, in operation since June 2024, immerses specialists in the world of Armagnac on a five-day trip to Gascony. There are now 14 educators, bringing Armagnac expertise to 10 different countries.
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Best Innovation
Proving that good things come in small packages, Agrafes Viti 4.0 won the award for Best Innovation – Wine. The vineyard clip, made from natural fibres, decomposes entirely in soil, making it an easy and sustainable replacement for plastic and metal staples. It is made in France in a zero-waste process, while its direct sales model ensures fair pricing.
Diageo x PA Consulting won the equivalent spirits award by putting a back bar staple in innovative packaging. Johnnie Walker Black Label’s paper-based 70cl bottle comprises 90% dry moulded fibre and a recyclable liner, with the trial bottles being tested in a real-life bar environment. The bottle represents a 60% reduction in weight compared to glass, reducing emissions by 47%.
Best Sustainability Initiative
The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance earned the sustainability prize in the wine category. Its climate action toolkit advises wineries on regenerative, climate-smart practices and is supplemented by advisory groups and workshops. The scheme has certified 2,634 vineyards and 223 wineries to date, representing 90% of Californian wine.
The spirits winner likewise hails from North America: Distillerie du Fjord from Canada. Its spirits make use of upcycled and locally foraged ingredients, with the Cucumber Gin and Limoncello saving eight tons of produce each year. The distillery’s sustainability credentials are further enhanced by using hydroelectric power, introducing a bottle return programme and engaging local communities.
Jury’s Special Mention
An additional award, the Jury’s Special Mention, was given to Sustainability in Drinks. As the drinks industry’s flagship international sustainability event, it organises exhibitions, workshops and debates to foster dialogue, share ideas and encourage practical solutions. It broad and global reach means it invites in producers, retailers, NGOs, and policymakers.
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