Talent awards
CELEBRATING PEOPLE
The IWSC is more than a competition. It is a global wine and spirits community, focused on people and expertise.
It’s not just great wines and spirits that are rewarded at the IWSC – we also recognise outstanding individuals, through accolades such as our Wine and Spirits Communicators, and awards for Emerging Talent in the wine, spirit and hospitality industries.
How do our Talent awards work?
For our Talent awards, members of the wine and spirit industries are invited to submit nominations of personalities who they feel have stood head and shoulders above their peers over the last year - you can nominate either yourself or someone you know. Please fill out our application forms detailing information about yourself, your recent activity, your plans for the coming year, and why you should win. The winner is chosen following a panel discussion between previous winners of this accolade, as well as experts from the IWSC.
To nominate yourself or someone else for one of these awards, download the entry form for the corresponding awards listed below.
Emerging Talent Awards
IWSC's Emerging Talent awards are an unparalleled opportunity for new and exciting voices in the wine, spirit and hospitality industries to gain exposure and recognition for their work.
The 2026 winners were announced in April 2026.
Wine Communicator Trophy
The Wine Communicator Trophy, sponsored by Vinitaly, recognises an individual whose communication skills make an exceptional contribution towards promoting and increasing public awareness of wine.
The winner of the 2026 Wine Communicator Trophy, Marisol de la Fuente, was announced at our Awards Celebration at the Battersea Arts Centre, in London on 16 November 2025.
Nominations for our 2027 Wine Communicator will open in 2026. You will be able to nominate yourself or someone who you feel has made an exceptional contibution to the field of wine communications. Follow the link below for more information and to download one of our nomination forms.
Spirits Communicator Trophy
Spirits Communicator Trophy, in partnership with Chivas Brothers, recognises an individual whose communication skills make an exceptional contribution towards promoting and increasing public awareness of spirits.
The winner of the 2026 Spirits Communicator Trophy, Billy Abbot, was announced at our Awards Celebration at the Battersea Arts Centre, in London on 16 November 2025.
Nominations for our 2027 Spirits Communicator trophy will open later this year, and announced during our Awards Ceremony in November. You will be able to nominate yourself or someone who you feel has made an exceptional contibution to the field of spirits communications. Follow the link below for more information and to download one of our nomination forms.