Tommaso Maggio named Master Winemaker of the Year
The Cantine Florio winemaker was presented with db‘s prestigious award at Wine Paris, describing it as “a starting point” for new projects at the Marsala winery.
The 2026 edition of the Master Winemaker 100 guide launched at Wine Paris this week, with an exclusive ceremony to offer first access to the guide and announce the winner of its top award: Master Winemaker of the Year.
This year, the accolade went to Tommaso Maggio, who has been winemaker at Marsala producer Cantine Florio for the past 28 years. He achieved the award through a string of top medals for Cantine Florio, including the title of Best Fortified Wine 2026 for Florio Marsala Dolce Superiore Riserva 1994.
“I feel so grateful,” he commented, after collecting his trophy, “but for me this award is a starting point, a great responsibility to carry forward new projects.”
Patrick Schmitt MW, editor-in-chief of the drinks business and chair of The Global Wine Masters was effusive in his praise for the producer. He highlighted that the award recognised consistency across entries – a high standard that meant multiple bottles from Cantine Florio have achieved scores of 97 points or above at recent tastings.
Moreover, this is the first time the top award has gone to a winemaker behind fortified styles. The category, though unfashionable, he said, can produce perfection. “Next time you reach for a splash of Marsala for a tiramisu,” Schmitt advised, “remember that this fortified wine is capable of greatness.”
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Maggio, unsurprisingly, was similarly strident in his defence of Marsala: “First of all, it’s a unique wine, rich in history, identity and personality. Secondly, wine lovers should pay attention to Marsala because, in the different types and serving temperatures, Marsala can be combined with many foods, becoming a very versatile wine.”
You may think that, having secured such an award at a packed trade show, Maggio would be looking forward to a well-earned rest. That is certainly not the case.
“Wine Paris brought me so much energy and positivity,” he said, “that I still feel the best way for me to relax is work, also because work is what I love doing most.”
A showcase of greatness
With 100 exceptional winemakers featured in the guide, the Wine Paris launch could not namecheck all of them. It did, however, serve as a celebration of all whose hard work earned them a spot in the publication.
The attendees received exclusive first access to the print edition of the guide. However, as of today, db readers can sign up to receive a free digital copy of the Master Winemaker 100 and discover the stories behind each of the exceptional individuals profiled.
At the ceremony in Paris, there was also a very special celebration of some of the world’s best wines. As they perused the guide, guests could sample from a table of the year’s Grand Master wines. These represent the very best of the year: just one is selected from each competition. To discover why they were named Grand Masters – including the tasting note for Florio Marsala Dolce Superiore Riserva 1994 – you can read Schmitt’s roundup of the 2025 winners here.
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