November 8, 2025 — Organised by Liquid Icons, The 2025 Golden Vines Awards, celebrating excellence in the fine wine and spirits industries, will be presented during an unforgettable awards ceremony at the iconic Faena Forum in Miami on Saturday 8 November.
This year, The Golden Vines introduced its most sophisticated survey to date through the formation of the new Golden Vines Academy—a body composed exclusively of the world’s leading fine wine and spirits professionals. Membership of the Academy required exceptional credentials and extensive industry experience, setting a significantly higher bar for voting eligibility than in previous years. The 2025 voting cohort of 830 experts represented more than 100 countries and possessed an average of over 18 years of professional experience. Among them were 41 Masters of Wine, 31 Master Sommeliers, over 58 Advanced Sommeliers, 240 WSET Diploma holders (DipWSET), and 37 holders of the ASI Diploma. The survey results were independently verified by Deloitte LLP in accordance with the official voting rules published on the Liquid Icons website, ensuring the highest levels of credibility and transparency.
Corison Winery of California has been honoured with The Golden Vines Frédéric Panaïotis Sustainability Award, which recognises wineries that lead the industry in promoting and practising sustainable business. The award is named in honour of Frédéric Panaïotis, the visionary Chef de Cave at Maison Ruinart, who passed away suddenly in June 2025 at the age of 60. A close friend of The Golden Vines, Frédéric was renowned for pioneering sustainable farming and innovative eco-friendly practices in Champagne. His leadership set a lasting benchmark in environmental stewardship, inspiring the wine world and beyond.
Other winners to be awarded on the night are as follows:
- The Golden Vines Grant Macdonald Best Fine Wine Producer in Europe Award: Weingut Egon Müller, Germany
- The Golden Vines Akerman Best Fine Wine Producer in the Americas Award: Harlan Estate, California
- The Golden Vines Maison Mura Best Fine Wine Producer in the Rest of the World Award (Australasia, Africa, Asia & Middle East): Henschke, Australia
- The Golden Vines Robb Report Golden Vines World’s Best Fine Wine Producer Award: Vega Sicilia, Spain
- The Golden Vines Slate Aviation World’s Best Rising Star Award: Mullineux & Leeu, South Africa
- The Golden Vines Amorim Cork Innovation Award: Rosa Kruger, The Old Vine Project, South Africa
- The Golden Vines Gérard Basset Foundation Hall of Fame Award: Jean Trimbach, France
- The Golden Vines Bacchus World’s Best Rare Spirit Brand Award Winner: The Macallan, Scotland
Weingut Egon Müller and The Macallan have each secured their third win in their respective categories, earning the prestigious The Golden Vines ‘All-Star’ status. This achievement means they will be ineligible to win the same category again for the next 10 years, though they remain eligible in other categories. This rule ensures continued diversity among future winners while recognising sustained excellence.
Each winner will receive a trophy created by the innovative American artist Jen Stark, designed under the guidance of Trophy Creative Director Shantell Martin. Inspired by the precision of both artistry and winemaking, the trophy will be gifted in a custom-crafted trunk.
“The Golden Vines Awards continue to set the global standard for recognising excellence in fine wine and spirits,” said Lewis Chester DipWSET, Co-Founder and CEO of Liquid Icons. “This year’s winners represent not only the pinnacle of quality and craftsmanship, but also innovation, sustainability, and leadership. It’s a privilege to bring the global fine wine and spirits community together in Miami to celebrate their extraordinary achievements, while also supporting the next generation of diverse talent through the work of The Gérard Basset Foundation.”
During the award ceremony, guests will be treated to Michelin-starred cuisine curated by the culinary geniuses behind SingleThread, three Michelin-starred Kyle Connaughton and head farmer Katina Connaughton. Fine wines and spirits to be served include Dom Pérignon P2 Vintage 2008 (the first showing of this wine before its global release next year), Château d’Yquem, Château Lafite Rothschild 1989 served in Imperial (6L), Colgin IX Estate (en Magnum), II Marroneto Madonna delle Grazie Riserva 2013 (en Magnum), and Egon Müller Auslese. Musical entertainment will include a performance by rising British-American artist Aiyana-Lee, as well as a special guest performer.
Established in 2021 to support, honour and celebrate ‘the best of the best’ in the world of fine wine and rare spirits, The Golden Vines – often referred to as “the Oscars of fine wine’”– features an exceptional weekend of wine & spirit tastings, masterclasses, Michelin-starred
gastronomy, award ceremonies, live auction in held partnership with Sotheby’s raising funds for The Gérard Basset Foundation, show-stopping performances from world class talent and money-can’t-buy experiences in the most stunning locations.
liquidicons.com/thegoldenvines
About The Golden Vines®
The Golden Vines annual activity includes (1) Education & Inclusion Scholarships curated on behalf of the Gérard Basset Foundation; (2) a three-day experience for luxury oenophiles and epicureans within a city renowned for their food and drink culture. Previous years’ experiences held in London, Florence and Paris. In Madrid and 2025 in Miami; (3) live and global online auctions in benefit of the Gérard Basset Foundation; (4) pioneering annual awards for the ‘best of the best’ producers and protagonists in the world of fine wine and rare spirits, informed by the most extensive and in-depth industry research ever conducted. @goldenvinesawards
About Liquid Icons
Liquid Icons is a fine wine research and content production company founded by two friends – the late, great Gérard Basset OBE MW MS and Lewis Chester DipWSET – alongside Alexander A. (Sasha) Lushnikov to “do stuff in wine”. Liquid Icons creates first-class original content and industry research about the world’s greatest fine wines and rare spirits. The company’s work encompasses motion picture, industry research, recognition and celebration of fine wine and rare spirits excellence, charitable and fundraising activities, as well as educational initiatives. liquidicons.com
About the Gérard Basset Foundation
Set up to honour the legacy and memory of Gérard Basset OBE MW MS by addressing the wine industry’s most pressing issues through education, training & mentorship, the Gérard Basset Foundation comprises a multidisciplinary team of industry- leading professionals as its Trustees: Nina Basset FIH, Romané Basset, Lewis Chester DipWSET, Ian Harris MBE DipWSET, Sasha Lushnikov, and Jancis Robinson OBE MW. The Foundation champions inclusivity and diversity within the world of fine wines and spirits and empowers those from underrepresented backgrounds to achieve their full potential through scholarships, mentoring and training. gérardbassetfoundation.org
