Vinexposium celebrates 2026 V d’Or winners
The winners of this year’s Vinexposium Business Awards, the V d’Or, have been announced – recognising excellence in the spirits and wine industries.
Now in its third edition, the recipients of this year’s V d’Or awards were announced on Sunday (8 February) at an invite-only ceremony at Le Trianon in Paris, France, ahead of this week’s Wine Paris 2026 trade show.
Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium and organiser of the V d’Or, said: “The 2026 V d’Or winners illustrate the depth and diversity of initiatives shaping the future of our industry.
“Across education, innovation and sustainability, these projects demonstrate concrete, measurable action and a clear sense of responsibility towards transmission, resources and long-term value creation.”
Formed in 2024, the awards honour the organisations, institutions and projects that deliver tangible impact and contribute to the long-term evolution of the worlds of wine and spirits.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by singer and wine entrepreneur Kylie Minogue, alongside the editor-in-chief of The Drinks Business, Patrick Schmitt, and the executive director of the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW), Sarah Harrison.
Entries are open to all professionals worldwide and were judged by the V d’Or’s panel of independent, international professionals and experts.
You can find the 2026 V d’Or winners below.
Best Education and Transmission
Wine: Sonal Holland Academy x Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) – India/international
Raising women’s wine education standards in India through certified programmes.
Spirits: Bureau National Interprofessionnel de l’Armagnac (BNIA) – France
Preserving and transmitting Armagnac heritage through education.
Best Innovation
Wine: Agrafes Viti 4.0 — France
Reimagining viticulture efficiency through technological innovation.
Spirits: PA Consulting x Diageo — UK
Applying innovation in a Johnnie Walker paper-based bottle to reduce plastic use and carbon footprint.
Best Sustainability Initiative
Wine: California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance – US
Providing practical tools for climate action in viticulture.
Spirits: Distillerie du Fjord – Canada
Crafting spirits with local sourcing and low-impact processes.
Jury’s Special Mention
Sustainability in Drinks – UK
Driving industry-wide sustainability through education and advocacy
IMW and The Drinks Business Lifetime Achievement Award
Andrew Jefford, wine writer
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