The Drinks Business Awards 2026 shortlist revealed
With just weeks to go until our awards ceremony at London Wine Fair, db is delighted to announce the shortlist for this year’s awards, which celebrate exceptional performance in drinks.
The last few weeks have been spent weighing up a slew of impressive entries from all corners of the drinks world, from packaging to PR, and fine wine emporiums to supermarket shelves.
Each finalist has been rigorously assessed by a panel of judges, whose collective expertise has shaped the shortlists below, representing the most dynamic players in the industry today. Winners of additional categories will be announced at The Drinks Business Awards 2026 ceremony, to be held at London Wine Fair on Tuesday 19 May.
Many thanks to our judges which this year include: Alex Canneti; Alex Hunt MW; Andrew Shaw; Anita Jackson; Anne Burchett; Dror Nativ MW; Emily Brighton MW; Emma Dawson MW; Fiona Campbell; Jane Masters MW; Jonathan Pedley MW; Laura Jewell MW; Lydia Harrison MW; Neil Tully MW; Nicky Burston; Queena Wong; Richard Dennis.
And congratulations to all our shortlisted entrants.
BEST CONTRIBUTION TO DRINKS TOURISM
Balfour Winery
The Guinness Open Gate Brewery London
Viña Santa Rita
BEST DRINKS EVENT
Laithwaites’ 2025 Wine Festival
Parched
Rioja 100 Festival
Tasting Climate Change
BEST LAUNCH
Poco Vino™
Ranch Wine by Bonterra Organic Estates
The Inzuzo Wine Company
BEST CONSUMER CAMPAIGN
Black Tower relaunch
Carlsberg – Fare Game
Picpoul Day
Pol Roger – Proudly Understated
BEST DISTRIBUTION COMPANY
London City Bond
LWC Drinks
BEST DRINKS COMPANY
Liberty Wines
LWC Drinks
Hallgarten & Novum Wines
FINE WINE RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Balfour Winery
Majestic Wine
BEST LOGISTICS COMPANY
Hillebrand Gori
Liberty Wines
VinYard Logistics
MULTIPLE RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Aldi
Majestic Wine
Waitrose
BEST ON-TRADE SUPPLIER
Graft Wine
Hallgarten & Novum Wines
Partner Content
Jascots Wine Merchants
Liberty Wines
LWC Drinks
Majestic Commercial
ONLINE RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Lay & Wheeler
Majestic Wine
Ocado Retail
Virgin Wines
PR COMPANY OF THE YEAR
Button Collective
Phipps
Sunny Side Up
RETAIL BUYING TEAM OF THE YEAR (Sponsored by Watermill Wines)
Majestic Wine
Ocado Retail
The Wine Society
Virgin Wines
BEST SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN
Lay & Wheeler – Christmas All Wrapped Up
Sunny Side Up for Majestic – Influencer Marketing Campaign
BEST TRADE CAMPAIGN
Alsace Wines by Slam Communications
Chelsea Co. for Sherry Wines – The Sherry Shift
JFOODO Sake by Slam Communications
BEST WINE STORAGE COMPANY
Crown Wine Cellars
London City Bond
THE O-I: EXPRESSIONS AWARD FOR BEST DESIGN AND PACKAGING (WINE)
Bento by Denomination
Grgich Paradise Block by Denomination
Poco Vino™
Patisserie by Denomination
Rose & Rose by Rose Family Estates
The Legends by Barlow & Co.
THE O-I: EXPRESSIONS AWARD FOR BEST DESIGN AND PACKAGING (SPIRITS)
Famiglia Santoni by Stranger and Stranger
Johnnie Walker x Olivier Rousteing by Servaire & Co
Laferté Whisky by Stranger and Stranger
Moët Hennessy Travel Retail – The Privileged Moment
Strutter Whiskey by Denomination
Patrón Core Range by Servaire & Co
BEST NEW PRODUCT
Balfour Winery – Cuvee Owen Erland Elias
Chivas Regal Crystal Gold
The Whisky Exchange -The Zodiac Series
Related news
