Shaping the Future of Wine — Defining What’s Next
SONOMA COUNTY, CA — March 18, 2026 – The Next Gen International Wine Awards, scheduled for August 25–26, 2026, introduces a new standard in wine competitions — one built for a changing industry and designed to reflect how wine is discovered, evaluated, and purchased in today’s rapidly evolving marketplace.
Created to complement traditional wine competitions, the Next Gen International Wine Awards focus on market relevance, generational insight, and real-world buying behavior, while maintaining rigorous professional standards. At a time when brand discovery, pricing sensitivity, and consumer expectations are shifting, the competition offers wineries a modern lens on quality — one rooted in the perspectives shaping the industry’s future.
With entries set to officially open in May 2026, the current focus is to build a dynamic judging panel that will define the inaugural competition. Judge nominations are now open.
The competition will be judged exclusively by wine professionals 39 years of age and under, selected for their active roles and influence across today’s wine industry. These judges represent the buyers, winemakers, marketers, educators, and operators already shaping purchasing decisions, brand relevance, and consumer engagement.
To reflect real consumer behavior, wines are evaluated within two pricing tiers — a Classic Tier ($25 and under) and a Prestige Collection (above $25) ensuring wines are judged within realistic market contexts. The competition also includes optional packaging and design awards, along with occasion-based honors that reflect how younger audiences actually choose and enjoy wine.
The Next Gen International Wine Awards will be professionally managed by Wine and Spirits Competitions Management & Productions, with Wine Industry Network (WIN) serving as the presenting sponsor and promotional partner.
“Wine Industry Network exists to support the business of wine, and that means paying attention to how the industry is changing,” said George Christie, President of Wine Industry Network.
“We’re proud and excited to be a founding sponsor and promoter of the Next Gen International Wine Awards because this competition reflects today’s market realities. From the 39 and under judging panel to the pricing tiers and modern award structure, it gives producers insight into how the next generation of buyers and professionals experience wine and why that matters right now.”
Wine and Spirits Competitions Management & Productions brings decades of experience producing respected wine competitions across the country, led by industry veteran Debra Del Fiorentino, whose leadership has helped shape some of the most recognized and professionally executed competitions in the industry.
“What attracted us to the Next Gen International Wine Awards was the clarity of the concept,” said Del Fiorentino. “This is a well-defined, thoughtfully structured competition that reflects where the wine industry is headed. We’re pleased to manage the Next Gen International Wine Awards and bring our experience, operational rigor, and integrity to a program that offers both innovation and credibility.”
As the inaugural judge selection is assembled, the opportunity now shifts to the next generation of industry leaders. Wine professionals 39 years old and under who are actively shaping today’s marketplace are invited to help define what’s next.
Visit NextGenWineAwards.com to learn more and submit a nomination.
About the Next Gen International Wine Awards
The Next Gen International Wine Awards is a forward-looking wine competition judged exclusively by wine professionals under the age of 40. Designed to reflect how today’s emerging consumers discover and evaluate wine, the competition provides wineries with insight into generational perspective, pricing context, and market relevance. The inaugural judging will take place August 25–26, 2026, in Sonoma County, California.
About Wine and Spirits Competitions Management & Productions
Wine and Spirits Competitions Management & Productions brings three decades of experience producing professionally managed wine competitions across the United States. Led by Debra Del Fiorentino, the organization is known for operational integrity, rigorous judging standards, and excellence in competition management.
About Wine Industry Network (WIN)
Wine Industry Network has been connecting wine professionals and supporting industry growth for almost 20 years through media, events, and strategic partnerships. WIN serves as the presenting sponsor and promotional partner of the Next Gen International Wine Awards.
Media Contact:
Olivia Christie
Wine Industry Network
Email: olivia@wineindustrynetwork.com
Phone: 707-433-2557 ext. 107
Website: www.NextGenWineAwards.com
