The nominees of the third edition of the V d’Or, the Business Awards by Vinexposium, are now revealed. The category winners – covering Education & Transmission, Innovation and Sustainability, both for wine and spirits – and one Jury’s Special Mention will be announced on Sunday 8 February 2026, on the eve of Wine Paris. The ceremony will take place at Le Trianon, the iconic Parisian theatre and monument in Montmartre, featuring an immersive culinary experience crafted by the most Michelin-starred chef in the world, Yannick Alléno, and served alongside a curated selection of wine and spirits pairings.
“This year’s nominees reflect the key forces driving our industry today — innovation, sustainability and education. 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 V d’Or brings these contributions forward, offering a clear sense of the sector’s emerging priorities and encouraging collective progress”, says Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium.
In the center Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium
Launched in 2024, the V d’Or was created to recognise excellence in the wine and spirits industry, with the aim of giving visibility to and supporting cellars, entrepreneurs and creators developing new ideas and programmes with tangible impact on the sector. Designed to connect like-minded professionals and support the long-term vitality of terroirs and craftsmanship, the V d’Or contributes to the industry’s ongoing evolution.
This year, for the first time, the V d’Or will be showcased at the heart of Wine Paris, from 9 to 11 February, continuing its momentum of recognition and celebration of best-in-class initiatives across the wine and spirits industry, in front of more than 6,000 exhibitors and 60,000 trade visitors. Open to professionals worldwide, with contributions from around 30 countries and assessed by an independent panel of expert judges, the V d’Or stands as a recognised reference and a barometer of the initiatives shaping the wine and spirits industry.
An international, expert and independent judging panel.
As a testament to the global ambition of the V d’Or within the wine and spirits industry, the seven expert members of the judging panel come from every corner of the world. They analyse and select the nominees and winners in an authentic spirit of independence and international exchange, bringing a global perspective that combines a commitment to traditional craftsmanship with a drive to promote innovation and shared interests.
The V d’Or 2026 Judging Panel includes:
• 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)
Centre Romane Basset - Gerard Basset Foundation award 2025
A celebration of excellence and vision.
In line with the V d’Or’s commitment to excellence, the ceremony will take place at Le Trianon, an iconic Parisian venue for culture and live performance. The evening will feature a menu created by the 17-Michelin-starred chef, Yannick Alléno, accompanied by a carefully curated and exclusive wine and spirits pairing. Both the menu and the pairings will remain undisclosed until the ceremony.
“We look forward to bringing together those who have supported the V d’Or, to celebrate the initiatives that are actively shaping the future of our industry,” concludes Rodolphe Lameyse. “The gastronomic experience and the setting chosen for this evening reflect the spirit of the awards, highlighting the value these projects create and the momentum they generate across the wine, spirits and wider drinks sector.”
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.
ABOUT THE V D’OR:
The V d’Or, the Business Awards by Vinexposium, recognises excellence and leadership in the global wine and spirits industry. It celebrates Education & Transmission, Innovation, and Sustainability. Open to all professionals in the sector worldwide, the V d’Or is free to enter and judged by an independent international panel of experts. Beyond recognition, it has become a reliable barometer of industry trends and forward-looking practices.
ABOUT VINEXPOSIUM:
Vinexposium is the leading year-round partner for wine and spirits professionals worldwide. Through its flagship international events and editorial content, including Voice of the Industry, it brings the entire sector together to drive business growth and deepen market knowledge. By fostering connections and sharing strategic insights, Vinexposium supports the global industry in tackling key challenges around innovation, sustainability, and shifting consumer expectations.
Source: Vinexposium
Photo Credit: Teralon Media - Kornel Flint
