Over 50 years working with the wine industry, the IWSC has refined its judging processes to reflect the changing industry landscape. Today, the competition not only recognises excellence in wines, but also individuals, with awards such as Winemaker of the Year, Wine Communicator of the Year and Wine Buying Team of the Year.

How do the awards work?

We collect nominations from people all over the wine and spirits industries. After collecting all the nominations, nominees are sent a form asking them for more information about themselves, and why they should win. Nominees do not have to provide information, but if they do not, they cannot be considered. A panel of experts in the field then discuss the candidates and decide on a winner.

If you would like to nominate yourself or someone you know for one of our awards, please click on the 'Nominate' button corresponding to the award. Please note that you can nominate more than one person.

Interested on being part of the panel for an award? Get in touch by emailing Louise at louise.bolton@iwsc.net.

Achievement Awards:

Wine Communicator of the Year

The Wine Communicator of the Year - sponsored by Vinitaly, recognises an individual or organisation whose communication skills have made an exceptional contribution towards promoting and increasing public awareness in wines, in the last 12 months.

Nominate

Potential Wine communicators must work in one or more of the following:

• Publishing (books, reviews, biographies and autobiographies)
• Journalism (specialist press, special feature collections, newspaper, magazine and digest articles)
• Broadcasting, Radio, television and film (writing, presenting, producing and directing)
• Online (social media, blogging, website)
• Wine consumer education

Potential Wine Communicators will have probably spent many years of their professional life associated with wines - although only their promotional work or special projects from the last year (2018) will be considered for the 2019 trophy.

We will be collecting nominations from people all over the wine industry until the 14 January 2019. Nominees will then be sent a form asking them for more information about themselves, and why they should win. Nominees do not have to provide information, but if they do not, they cannot be considered. A panel of experts will discuss the candidates and decide on a winner.

The winner for this award will be announced at the Vinitaly gala dinner in Verona, Italy and will be required to present a tasting in April.

The winners prize includes an expenses paid trip to Vinitaly and attendance at the IWSC Awards Banquet on 13 November 2019.

Past winners include Tom Cannavan (pictured below), Joe Fattorini, Joe Wadsack, Tyson Stelzer, Jane Parkinson, Dave Broom & Jancis Robinson MW.

Nominations are now open for the 2019 competition.

The Outstanding Achievement In The Scotch Whisky Industry Trophy

The Outstanding Achievement in Scotch Whisky Award is designed to recognise individuals who have made, and are making truly outstanding personal contributions to the Scotch whisky industry.

Nominees will be working at a senior to mid-senior level, who are influencing and protecting the development of the Scotch Whisky industry internationally and effectively promoting its image.

Nominees will be members of the industry from any sector: marketing and promotion, production or the retail sector who have made a contribution - enhancing the image of Scotch Whisky via: a brand campaign; innovative retail promotion within a retailer chain; an educational or legislative initiative or have been particularly pro-active in furthering the sales of Scotch Whisky within a particular market.

They must be foremost achievers, innovators, showing clear evidence of successful leadership in the industry.

An Outstanding Achievement Award will be granted to those who have achieved excellence and innovation within their field. “Achievement” is to recognise in its broadest sense, covering all aspects of the business and commerce of the Scotch Whisky Industry.

Past winners include Sukhinder Singh (pictured below), Dr. Nick Morgan, Dr Bill Lumsden, Richard Paterson and Gavin Hewitt GMC & OBE.

Julian Brind Memorial Trophy For Outstanding Achievement in the Wine Industry

The Julian Brind Award, sponsored by Waitrose, is designed to find the next big star in the wine industry.

The late Julian Brind MW, was a leading light in the wine trade and an integral part of the Waitrose wine team for over forty years. The award was created by Waitrose, in association with the IWSC, where he was a longstanding judge, to honour his contribution and service to the trade that he loved. He was a trusted and committed mentor to many aspiring young wine professionals, as well as being a dedicated family man, full of energy both for his work and his leisure activities.

This prestigious title will be awarded to the individual who demonstrates they have the courage of their convictions, dedication to the industry and passion for real wine. The recipient will have established an early track record in their field, be seen to be ‘going places’, and will already be taking part in the wider aspects of the wine trade, showing commitment and determination in everything they do.

Past winners include Clara Rubin, Nik Darlington, Ross Carter & Justin Howard Sneyd MW, Dawn Davies, Xavier Rousset MS and Sam Harrop MW.

Spirit Communicator of the Year

The Spirit Communicator of the Year Trophy was created in 2016 due to such strong entries from both categories. This award is sponsored by Chivas Brothers, and is here to recognise an individual or organisation whose communication skills have made an exceptional contribution towards promoting and increasing public awareness in spirits, in the last 12 months.

Potential Spirit Communicators communicators must work in one or more of the following:

• Publishing (books, reviews, biographies and autobiographies)
• Journalism (specialist press, special feature collections, newspaper, magazine and digest articles)
• Broadcasting, Radio, television and film (writing, presenting, producing and directing)
• Online (social media, blogging, website)
• Wine consumer education

Potential Spirit Communicators will have probably spent many years of their professional life associated with spirits - although only their promotional work or special projects from the last year (2017) will be considered for the 2018 trophy.

We will be collecting nominations from people within the spirits industry until the 31st January 2019. Nominees will then be sent a form asking them for more information about themselves and why they should win. (Nominees do not have to provide information, but if they do not, they cannot be considered). A panel of experts in the field will discuss the candidates and decide on a winner.

Previous winners include Tom Sandham, Olivier Ward and Alice Lascelles.

The winner will be invited to a tasting at the IWSC Spirits Tastings at Vintners Hall, London, in July 2019.