The fine wine and spirits industry gathered for its most prestigious celebration as the 2025 Golden Vines® Awards were presented during an unforgettable ceremony at Miami’s iconic Faena Forum on November 8, 2025. Often referred to as “the Oscars of fine wine,” this year’s event marked a significant evolution in how excellence is recognized within the global wine and spirits community.
A New Standard of Excellence: The Golden Vines Academy
The 2025 awards introduced the most sophisticated evaluation process in the event’s history through the formation of the new Golden Vines Academy. This exclusive body comprised 830 of the world’s leading fine wine and spirits professionals from more than 100 countries, each possessing an average of over 18 years of professional experience.
The Academy’s impressive credentials included 41 Masters of Wine, 31 Master Sommeliers, over 58 Advanced Sommeliers, 240 WSET Diploma holders (DipWSET), and 37 holders of the ASI Diploma. This significantly raised the bar for voting eligibility compared to previous years, ensuring that only the most qualified professionals would determine the winners.
“The Golden Vines Awards continue to set the global standard for recognizing excellence in fine wine and spirits,” said Lewis Chester DipWSET, Co-Founder and CEO of Liquid Icons. “This year’s winners represent not only the pinnacle of quality and craftsmanship, but also innovation, sustainability, and leadership.”
Honoring Sustainability Leadership
A poignant moment of the evening came with the presentation of The Golden Vines Frédéric Panaïotis Sustainability Award to California’s Corison Winery. This award, which recognizes wineries leading the industry in sustainable business practices, was named in honor of Frédéric Panaïotis, the visionary Chef de Cave at Maison Ruinart, who passed away suddenly in June 2025 at the age of 60.
Panaïotis, a close friend of The Golden Vines, was renowned for pioneering sustainable farming and innovative eco-friendly practices in Champagne. His leadership set a lasting benchmark in environmental stewardship, inspiring the wine world and beyond. The award serves as a fitting tribute to his legacy while recognizing contemporary leaders in sustainable winemaking.
The 2025 Winners: Excellence Across Categories
The evening celebrated outstanding achievements across multiple categories:
The Golden Vines Grant Macdonald Best Fine Wine Producer in Europe Award: Weingut Egon Müller, Germany
The Golden Vines Akerman Best Fine Wine Producer in the Americas Award: Harlan Estate, California
The Golden Vines Maison Mura Best Fine Wine Producer in the Rest of the World Award: Henschke, Australia
The Golden Vines Robb Report World’s Best Fine Wine Producer Award: Vega Sicilia, Spain
The Golden Vines Slate Aviation World’s Best Rising Star Award: Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, South Africa
The Golden Vines Amorim Cork Innovation Award: Rosa Kruger, The Old Vine Project, South Africa
The Golden Vines Gérard Basset Foundation Hall of Fame Award: Jean Trimbach, France
The Golden Vines Bacchus World’s Best Rare Spirit Brand Award: The Macallan, Scotland
Achieving ‘All-Star’ Status
Both Weingut Egon Müller and The Macallan achieved a remarkable milestone, securing their third win in their respective categories and earning the prestigious Golden Vines ‘All-Star’ status. This achievement renders them ineligible to win the same category again for the next 10 years, though they remain eligible in other categories. This rule ensures continued diversity among future winners while recognizing sustained excellence.
Artistry in Recognition
Each winner received a trophy created by innovative American artist Jen Stark, designed under the guidance of Trophy Creative Director Shantell Martin. Inspired by the precision of both artistry and winemaking, the trophy was presented in a custom-crafted trunk, adding to the exclusivity and prestige of the recognition.
A Weekend of Celebration and Education
The awards ceremony was the culmination of an exceptional weekend featuring wine and spirit masterclasses, winemaker lunches, and exclusive experiences in Miami’s most stunning locations. The weekend began with a gala dinner on Friday, November 7, at The Alfred I. DuPont Building, hosted by Emmy Award-winning US TV journalist Lisa Petrillo.
During this Friday evening event, two significant announcements were made: the recipients of the Barca-Velha Golden Vines Scholarships were revealed as Sera Svitlana Karamshuk from London and Leila Tehrani-Killoran from France. Additionally, American former basketball champion and co-founder of VII(N) The Seventh Estate wine brand Carmelo Anthony received The Golden Vines Entrepreneur Award.
Culinary Excellence and Entertainment
The Saturday awards ceremony, hosted by David Ajala, treated guests to Michelin-starred cuisine curated by the culinary team behind SingleThread Farm. Three Michelin-starred chef Kyle Connaughton and head farmer Katina Connaughton created an extraordinary dining experience that perfectly complemented the evening’s celebration of excellence.
The beverage program was equally impressive, featuring Dom Pérignon P2 Vintage 2008 (marking the first showing of this wine before its global release), Château d’Yquem, Château Lafite Rothschild 1989 served in Imperial (6L), Colgin IX Estate (en Magnum), II Marroneto Madonna delle Grazie Riserva 2013 (en Magnum), and Egon Müller Auslese.
Musical entertainment was provided by rising British-American artist Aiyana-Lee, adding to the evening’s sophisticated atmosphere.
Supporting the Next Generation
The Golden Vines celebration extends beyond recognition, serving as a platform for philanthropy and education. The weekend’s events and accompanying initiatives support the work of The Gérard Basset Foundation, which focuses on developing the next generation of diverse talent in the wine and hospitality industries.
The scholarship recipients announced during the weekend represent this commitment to fostering emerging talent and ensuring the industry’s continued evolution and inclusivity.
Looking Forward
As the fine wine and spirits industry continues to evolve, The Golden Vines Awards have established themselves as the definitive recognition of excellence, innovation, and leadership. The introduction of the Golden Vines Academy represents a significant step forward in ensuring that these awards maintain their status as the industry’s most credible and respected honors.
For food and beverage professionals, restaurateurs, and hospitality leaders, The Golden Vines Awards serve as both inspiration and a guide to excellence. The winning producers and brands represent the pinnacle of quality and craftsmanship that sets the standard for the entire industry.
The 2025 winners demonstrate that excellence in wine and spirits production requires not only technical mastery but also innovation, sustainability consciousness, and a commitment to advancing the industry as a whole. As these award-winning producers continue to push boundaries and set new standards, they provide a roadmap for the future of fine wine and spirits.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
