The sixth edition of the internationally renowned Golden Vines Awards returns to London, alongside early new findings from the 2026 Golden Vines Report revealing the changing face of fine wine.
October 22, 2026 (London, UK) — The Golden Vines, the global fine wine and rare spirit awards often referred to as the ‘Oscars of Fine Wine’, will return to London, for its sixth edition from 6th – 8th November 2026.
The Golden Vines will bring together leading figures from fine wine, rare spirits, gastronomy and philanthropy for a three-day programme, culminating in the highly anticipated Golden Vines Awards Gala at Banqueting House on Saturday 7th November, where this year’s winners will be announced. Adding to the glamour of the occasion, Craig David will take to the stage to present TS5, an exclusive live DJ set and performance, creating a memorable finale to one of the most coveted evenings in the global wine and luxury calendar.
Tickets for the weekend are priced at £10,000 per person and include full access, from the inaugural Frédéric Panaïotis La Paulée with food by Jonny Lake from Trivet, and the Awards Gala, featuring food by three-Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan, with wines including Dom Pérignon, Krug, Domaine Vincent Dancer, Château Angélus, Domaine de La Chapelle, Penfolds Grange & István Szepsy, to exclusive masterclasses, winemaker lunches and opportunities to taste and discover some of the world’s rarest wines alongside many of the industry’s most celebrated producers.
For the first time ahead of the awards themselves, The Golden Vines is unveiling its 2026 shortlist, celebrating established names across the fine wine and rare spirits world alongside an emerging generation of talent helping to shape the future of the industry.
The Golden Vines Awards shortlist is voted for by The Golden Vines Academy, a global community of nearly 1,300 senior fine wine and rare spirits professionals, spanning sommeliers, merchants, critics, educators and other industry specialists. Through weighted responses and voting, Academy members determine the winners across the awards’ categories, recognising excellence and contribution across the world of fine wine and rare spirits.
The insights and opinions of Academy members also inform the annual Golden Vines Report, providing a comprehensive analysis of opportunities and challenges shaping the industry. Early findings from the report indicate that buyers are increasingly favouring fewer, more considered bottles, while the industry is looking at new ways to engage a younger generation of consumers and ensure fine wine remains culturally relevant. The full 2026 Golden Vines Report will be released during the awards weekend in November.
Since its launch in 2021, The Golden Vines has celebrated many of the defining names in global fine wine and rare spirits. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Ridge Vineyards and Penfolds each became three-time consecutive winners in their respective categories between 2021 and 2023, while more recent winners have included Vega Sicilia, Harlan Estate, Henschke, Weingut Egon Müller and The Macallan. The Golden Vines Hall of Fame has meanwhile honoured some of the industry’s most influential figures, including Aubert de Villaine, Jancis Robinson OBE MW, Jasper Morris MW and Jean Trimbach.
Lewis Chester, Co-Founder and CEO of Liquid Icons, said:
“This year’s Golden Vines shortlist reflects the extraordinary depth and diversity of talent across our industry, from producers whose work has shaped generations to emerging names bringing new ideas and perspectives. We look forward to bringing this global community together in London this November and celebrating those helping to shape the future of fine wine and rare spirits.’’
The 2026 shortlist sees a number of recent winners return to defend their titles. Vega Sicilia is shortlisted for World’s Best Fine Wine Producer following consecutive wins in 2024 and 2025, while Harlan Estate and Henschke also return after back-to-back wins in their respective regional categories. The shortlist also highlights progression through the awards, with The Sadie Family Wines (Rising Star winner in 2023 and 2024) now shortlisted for Best Fine Wine Producer in the Rest of the World alongside Henschke and Felton Road.
This year’s nominees also showcase the geographic breadth of contemporary fine wine. South Africa has a particularly strong showing, with Mullineux and Alheit Vineyards accounting for two of the three Rising Star nominees, alongside The Sadie Family Wines in the Rest of the World category. Across the producer awards, the shortlist spans some of the world’s most celebrated wine regions, from Champagne, Burgundy, the Rhône, Piedmont and Ribera del Duero to Napa Valley and Mendoza, alongside leading producers from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
THE 2026 GOLDEN VINES AWARDS SHORTLISTS
World’s Best Rising Star – Celebrating emerging fine wine producers making their mark on the global stage and establishing themselves among the industry’s most exciting names to watch.
Shortlisted nominees: Mullineux (Swartland, South Africa); Comando G (Sierra de Gredos, Spain); Alheit Vineyards (Western Cape, South Africa)
World’s Best Rare Spirit Brand Award – Honouring excellence at the highest level of the global rare spirits industry and celebrating brands at the forefront of their field.
Shortlisted nominees: Rémy Martin (Cognac, France); Pappy van Winkle (Kentucky, USA); The Yamazaki (Osaka, Japan)
World’s Best Fine Wine Producer Award – The Golden Vines’ pre-eminent global wine award, celebrating the producer that represents the pinnacle of excellence in fine wine, irrespective of region.
Shortlisted nominees: Krug (Champagne, France); Domaine Leroy (Burgundy, France); Vega Sicilia (Ribera del Duero, Spain)
Innovation Award – Showcasing the individuals, organisations and initiatives helping to shape the future of wine through pioneering ideas and practices across winemaking, viticulture, technology and wine marketing.
Shortlisted nominees: Amorim (Portugal); Star Wine List (Sweden); Francs de Pied (France)
Hall of Fame Award – Reserved for a living individual whose extraordinary achievements, contribution to fine wine production or outstanding service to the industry have left a lasting legacy.
Shortlisted nominees: Dirk Niepoort (Portugal); Angelo Gaja (Piedmont, Italy); Dominique Lafon (Burgundy, France)
Best Fine Wine Producer in the Rest of the World Award – Celebrating outstanding fine wine production beyond Europe and the Americas, and the producers setting new standards of excellence across the wider global wine landscape.
Shortlisted nominees: The Sadie Family Wines (Swartland, South Africa); Henschke (Eden Valley, Australia); Felton Road (Central Otago, New Zealand)
Best Fine Wine Producers in the Americas Award – Dedicated to the leading fine wine producers of North and South America, highlighting estates demonstrating exceptional quality and excellence across the region.
Shortlisted nominees: Bodega Catena Zapata (Mendoza, Argentina); Harlan Estate (Napa Valley, USA); Screaming Eagle (Napa Valley, USA)
Best Fine Wine Producer in Europe Award – Celebrating Europe’s leading fine wine producers and the estates demonstrating exceptional quality and excellence across the continent.
Shortlisted nominees: Domaine Jean-Louis Chave (Northern Rhône, France); Giacomo Conterno (Barolo, Piedmont, Italy); Gaja (Piedmont, Italy)
Sustainability Award – Acknowledging fine wine producers taking an industry-leading approach to sustainability, encompassing environmental stewardship, biodiversity, carbon reduction, social impact and long-term investment in the future of their vineyards, communities and the wider wine sector.
Shortlisted nominees: Comando G (Sierra de Gredos, Spain); Sogrape (Portugal); González Byass (Spain); Symington Family Estates (Douro, Portugal)
ABOUT THE GOLDEN VINES
Established in 2021 to honour, celebrate, and elevate ‘the best of the best’ in fine wine and rare spirits, The Golden Vines has become the definitive benchmark of excellence within the industry. Decided by a global voting process of thousands of industry experts, the spectacular annual three-day celebration brings together an exclusive mix of leading winemakers, top-tier collectors, and UHNWIs. Taking place across some of the world’s most beautiful cities and venues, the event offers guests an unrivaled weekend of masterclasses, exceptional culinary programming, and unique tastings.
The Golden Vines acts as a platform for meaningful change by partnering with the Gérard Basset Foundation. With 100% of the weekend’s auction proceeds going directly to the Foundation, the initiative champions diversity and inclusion across the global wine and spirits industries.
