5th Anniversary Edition of the Wine Travel Awards 2025–2026 announces the winners!
On May 1, the main selection stage of the Wine Travel Awards 2025–2026 came to a close – the decisive phase in which the distinguished panel of judges chose the final winners from among the previously announced finalists. This global initiative continues to unite wine tourism, culture, and the wine industry across 48 countries worldwide.
Today, we are honored to announce the winners and to congratulate all participants of this year’s campaign, which continues to confirm the growing role of wine tourism as a global cultural phenomenon. Their names reflect the best examples of development, innovation, and contribution to shaping contemporary wine culture. This year, a selection of winners was also honored with the special awards – “Judges’ Choice Award” and “Drinks+ Editor’s Choice” – a distinction reflecting the professional recognition of the jury and highlighting their outstanding contribution to the development of the wine industry and the international wine community.
All participants – both finalists and winners – receive diplomas, the right to use the WTA mark, and, most importantly, one year of informational support on the WTA platform and its media partners’ networks.
At the same time, it is important to emphasize that Wine Travel Awards is not so much about competition as it is about community, the exchange of ideas and information, new connections, and genuine networking. We equally welcome both established professionals and newcomers. The core values we share are friendliness, tolerance, mutual respect, and a shared passion for the world of wine.
We will soon publish a press release dedicated to the prizes and distinctions awarded to the winners of the anniversary edition – Wine Travel Awards 2025–2026.
Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, the Global Wine Tourism Day event scheduled for 17 June in Beaune, France, has been cancelled. As a result, the awards ceremony planned for June will not take place. We will keep you informed regarding further decisions and the updated format, and will share new details as soon as they become available.
And yet, the WTA team belongs to those who, even if the world were declared to be ending, would keep planting blossoming trees – not out of certainty, but out of faith in the people who will one day walk among them.
And here are the winners of the fifth WTA season:
Ambassador
Ambassador of the Year
Judge: Felicity Carter (Australia/European Union) is a Europe-based wine journalist and industry analyst, founder of Drinks Insider and Editorial Director of Areni Global. She previously served as Editor-in-Chief of Meininger’s Wine Business International and has worked with Liv-ex. Carter is an international speaker, wine judge, and guest lecturer at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business. Her work has been recognized with the 2024 Industry Leader title and the 2025 67 Pall Mall Global Communicators Award.
Winner:
#37 Solomiia Begun (France/Ukraine)
Solomiia Begun is an international wine trade agent and wine diplomacy advocate working across France, Ukraine, and Asia. She leads GODAI SDN. BHD. and is the initiator of Ukrainian Wine Expo 2026 in Kuala Lumpur. She is also active in wine diplomacy as Vice Conseiller Gastronomique of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs and a member of the International Association of Women in Wine.
Profile: Solomiia Begun – Wine Travel Awards
#Drinks+ Editor’s Choice:
#41 Oleksandra Minenko‑Decamps, France
Oleksandra Minenko‑Decamps is a deeply rooted Burgundy professional whose work combines cultural diplomacy, wine education, and high‑level industry engagement. As an ambassador of Dijon and the Climats du Vignoble de Bourgogne, she articulates the region’s heritage with both intellectual precision and emotional warmth.
Profile: Oleksandra Minenko-Decamps – Wine Travel Awards
Comment
Felicity Carter: “Some very impressive women!”
A concise remark – yet one that speaks volumes about the calibre, leadership, and global influence of the finalists in this category.
Creative strategy
Judge: Paul Wagner (USA) is a wine industry expert specializing in marketing, strategic development, and wine tourism. He has taught for over 30 years at Napa Valley College and lectures in international programs including Wintour MBA and UC Davis. He is the founder of Balzac Communications & Marketing and co-author of Wine Marketing & Sales. He currently serves as Senior Advisor for Wine Tourism at Expedia Cruise Ship Centers.
Winner:
#96 Marinela Ardelean (Romania)
Marinela Ardelean is a wine expert and founder of RO-Wine, internationally recognized for promoting Romanian wines and elevating their global reputation. With an Executive MBA and a PhD in Marketing, she built her career between Romania and Italy, where her passion for wine was first shaped.
Profile: Marinela Ardelean – Wine Travel Awards
Education in Enotourism
Cultural mission
Judge: Dr. Ricardo F. Nunez (Argentina/Ukraine), Head of the international group of companies Vinos de La Luz, which unites wineries in Argentina, Spain, Italy, the United States and Ukraine. He was born in Argentina. As a grandson and son of winemakers, he grew up in the vineyards of the Andean Cordilleras and explored every corner of the Uco Valley. Dr. Nunez is an investor participating in the development of the wine-growing market of Ukraine, also thanks to his new company Big Wines. Dr. Nunez participates in the world’s leading annual conferences and international wine competitions and is actively involved in the development of winemaking. In 2025, he received the OIV Merit Award for his work in strengthening ties and integrating Ukrainian winemaking into the global professional community.
Winner:
#154 Capstone California (USA)
Capstone California is a global wine education program offering four certification levels and comprehensive training on California wine regions and styles.
Profile: Capstone California – Wine Travel Awards
Judges’ Choice Award (Dr. Ricardo F. Nunez):
#51 The Shumi Winery (Georgia)
SHUMI Winery & Estate is a Georgian wine and cultural complex dedicated to preserving 8,000 years of winemaking tradition, combining modern technology with the ancient Qvevri method. The estate is home to one of the world’s largest private grape collections and includes Georgia’s first wine museum and ethnographic pavilion. It integrates wine production with cultural and educational experiences based on Georgian heritage, mythology, and traditions. SHUMI is an internationally awarded producer exporting to more than 30 countries and widely recognized for its contribution to Georgian wine and culture.
Profile: SHUMI Winery – Wine Travel Awards
Comment
Dr. Ricardo F. Nunez:
“If the 21st century is the era of connectivity – physical or virtual – THE WINE TRAVEL AWARDS operates as a platform of selective connection: it brings the best to the surface, enables comparison, exposes them to the judgment of the global market, and at the same time offers them a mirror: “this is what your region looks like; this is how your proposal reads; this is how your hospitality is understood.” In that sense, it is pioneering by method: it transforms dispersion into a system”.
Unique Program
Judge: Christian Zechmeister (Austria) is the Managing Director of Wein Burgenland. With over 20 years of experience in wine marketing and international relations, he has strengthened the global profile of Burgenland wines, particularly Blaufränkisch.He has developed international partnerships across the wine and tourism sectors and is an active speaker and jury member at international wine competitions, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and the promotion of Austrian wine.
Winner:
#48 World of Wine (WOW) (Portugal)
WOW Wine School provides structured wine education in Porto, including WSET courses and specialized modules on Portuguese wines.
Profile: The Wine School. World of Wine (WOW) – Wine Travel Awards
Enogastronomic Events
Event of the Year
Judge: Marinela Ardelean (Romania) is a global wine and spirits expert with an Executive MBA and PhD in Marketing. She is the founder of RO-Wine, the International Wine Festival of Romania focused on premium and luxury wines. She is a prominent promoter of Romanian wines and author exploring cross-cultural pairings between Romanian wines and Italian cuisine. Her awards include Best Romanian Sommelier (2014), Gourmand Drinks Awards (2015), and the CONAF Gala “Women in Economy – Day by Day Heroes” (2023).
Winner:
#121 Wine Paris (France)
Wine Paris is a leading global wine and spirits trade event, gathering producers and professionals from more than 169 countries.
Profile: Wine Paris – Wine Travel Awards
Comment
Marinela Ardelean:
“This year’s selection was particularly compelling, marked by a strong diversity of concepts and approaches. From major international benchmarks to more niche, experiential formats, the category reflects the many directions in which the wine world is evolving today.
If I may add a broader impression, I was especially pleased to see the significant evolution and international positioning of several events, alongside the emergence of more specialised concepts that bring valuable diversity and fresh perspectives to the industry. It is equally fascinating to observe how established formats are adapting to remain relevant in an increasingly dynamic global context.
My congratulations to the WTA team for the consistency and care you bring to this project year after year. It is evident that the Wine Travel Awards continue to grow into a meaningful global platform for the industry.”
Magnet of the Region
Judge: Stephane Badet (France) is a professor and wine economist at the Institute of Vine and Wine Science (ISVV), University of Bordeaux, and Bordeaux Sciences Agro. He specializes in wine economics, marketing, management, and wine tourism. He has international experience as a consultant in wine sector development and sustainability, working with organizations such as FAO and the French Ministry of Agriculture.
Winner:
#158 Worldwide œufs en meurette Championship
(Château du Clos de Vougeot, France)
An international culinary competition celebrating Burgundy’s iconic dish, held annually at Château du Clos de Vougeot.
Profile: Worldwide œufs en meurette Championship – Wine Travel Awards
Comment
Stephane Badet:
“My opinion is that the most original event is the Worldwide œufs en meurette Championship. It has the widest reach and audience, thanks to the TV show Top Chef”.
The Visiting Card of the Country
Judge: Yang Shen (China / New Zealand) is the Estate Director of Cloudy Bay, one of New Zealand’s leading wineries and part of the LVMH group. He has an international background in wine, having studied oenology at the University of Montpellier and wine marketing at Bordeaux Montaigne University. His career includes senior roles at major global companies such as Moët Hennessy, Diageo, and Chandon China. At Cloudy Bay, he focuses on producing high-quality wines that express the unique terroir of New Zealand.
Art&History Object
Winner:
#63 Château Angelus (France)
Château Angélus is a renowned Saint-Émilion estate (the Premier Grand Cru Classé “A”) known for its terroir-driven winemaking and innovative architectural projects.
Profile: Château Angelus – Wine Travel Awards
Region of the Year
Winner:
#159 Valpolicella DOC and DOCG (Italy)
Valpolicella is one of Italy’s most celebrated wine regions, home to Amarone, Ripasso, and centuries-old winemaking traditions.
Profile: Valpolicella DOC and DOCG – Wine Travel Awards
Brand – the Visiting Card of the Country
Judge: Per Karlsson (Sweden / France) is an internationally recognized wine and travel writer, photographer, and co-founder of BKWine, a leading wine tourism company and media platform. He is editor of BKWine Magazine and contributes to Forbes.com, focusing on wine, travel, and sustainability. Together with Britt Karlsson, he has co-authored numerous wine books on topics including sustainable viticulture and the future of wine. He is also active as a wine tourism consultant, speaker, and international wine competition judge, with extensive experience across Europe and other major wine regions worldwide.
Winner:
#161 Chateau Chizay (Ukraine)
Chateau Chizay is one of the country’s leading wineries, founded in 1995 in the Chizay Valley of Zakarpattia. Chizay is a leading Ukrainian winery known for its estate-grown wines, wine diplomacy initiatives, and strong enotourism development.
Profile: Chateau Chizay – Wine Travel Awards
Drinks+ Editor’s Choice:
#Nico Lazaridi Wines #79 (Greece, Drama)
Since 1997, the Château Nico Lazaridi Winery has stood as the beating heart of the winemaking excellence. Nestled in the Macedonia region of Northern Greece, in the Agora area, just 15 kilometers from the city of Drama, the winery serves as both the headquarters and a symbol of innovation in Greek viticulture.
Profile: Nico Lazaridi Wines – Wine Travel Awards
Must Visit
Judge: Per Karlsson
Winner:
#171 Bodega Tío Pepe (Spain)
Tío Pepe is an iconic Sherry producer in Jerez de la Frontera and part of González Byass offering immersive wine tourism experiences, cultural events, and historic cellar tours.
Profile: Bodega TIO PEPE – Wine Travel Awards
Progressive Approach
Judge: Richard Bampfield, MW (UK) is a wine expert, writer, and consultant with extensive experience in international wine education and evaluation. He has worked with major producers and retailers, including Lidl, Albert Bichot, Santa Rita Estates, and Château Brown. His career includes senior roles in wine consultancy and international business, including managing Brown Brothers’ European operations. He is also an international wine judge and an advocate for sustainability, contributing to initiatives such as the Sustainable Wine Roundtable.
Winner:
#89 Spier Wine Farm (South African)
Spier is a pioneering estate in regenerative agriculture, sustainability, and community-focused wine tourism in Stellenbosch.
Profile: Spier Wine Farm – Wine Travel Awards
Judges’ Choice Award
(Richard Bampfield, MW):
#88 Tablas Creek Vineyard (USA)
Tablas Creek Vineyard is a California winery in Paso Robles, founded in 1989 as a partnership between the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel and the Haas family of Vineyard Brands. It was created to bring Rhône Valley grape varieties to California’s Mediterranean climate.
Profile: Tablas Creek Vineyard – Wine Travel Awards
Comment
Richard Bampfield MW:
“There are some very impressive entries here! Tablas Creek Vineyard and Spier Wine Farm were awarded the highest score among the five finalists in the Progressive Approach category. Both are exemplary and fully deserving of the same high score. In my view, the most worthy of the two is Spier, simply because of the obstacles they face in South Africa on a daily basis while trying to run their business – so they should receive the top award. Tablas Creek are also outstanding but operate in a much more comfortable political environment.”
Wine Guide
Top Guide
Judge: Gergely Szolnoki (Germany, Greece) is Professor of Market Research at Geisenheim University and Honorary Professor of Wine and Beverage Management & Marketing at University of West Attica. His research focuses on consumer behaviour, communication and social media, organic wines, market analysis, and wine tourism. He is also a delegated expert at the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, where he leads an expert group, and is involved in the Great Wine Capitals Global Network.
Winner:
#163 Kjell Gabriel Hendrichs (Norway)
Kjell-Gabriel Hendrichs is a wine journalist and tour curator known for immersive wine journeys across Europe and beyond.
Profile: Kjell-Gabriel Hendrichs – Wine Travel Awards
Travel Operator of the Year
Judge: Gergely Szolnoki
Winner:
#7 BKWine Tours (France, Sweden)
BKWine Tours is a globally respected wine travel company offering expertly curated tours and award-winning educational content.
Profile: BKWine Tours – Wine Travel Awards
Wine&Food Influencer
Author of the Year
Judge: Robert Joseph (UK) is a wine consultant, author, and industry expert with over 30 years of experience. He has written more than 30 books, including Wine Thinking and The Wine People, and works as a consultant and brand co-creator. He is a keynote speaker at international events, lectures at business schools, and publishes weekly wine commentary on LinkedIn and Substack.
Winner:
#170 Kevin Day (USA)
Kevin Day is a wine writer and photojournalist, author of Opening a Bottle: Italy, and creator of bespoke European wine travel itineraries.
Profile: Kevin Day – Wine Travel Awards
Judges’ Choice Award (Robert Joseph):
#14 Sigala Marianna (Greece/Australia)
Marianna Sigala is an internationally recognized professor and researcher in tourism, hospitality, and wine tourism, currently working at Sheffield Hallam University. She has previously held senior academic positions at universities in Greece, the UK, and Australia.
Profile: Professor Marianna Sigala – Wine Travel Awards
Comment
Robert Joseph:
“My final shortlist included Kevin Day, Solomiia Begun, and Professor Marianna Sigala — all remarkably different in style. In a very close race, my choice was Kevin Day for the depth with which he approaches the intricate world of Italian wine, its regions, and its grapes. His work, I believe, will inspire travellers to explore a wide range of Italian destinations and to engage with their food and wine cultures with confidence.”
Expert Opinion
Judge: Robert Joseph
Winner:
#19 Anne-Wies van Oosten (Netherlands)
Anne-Wies van Oosten is a wine and food journalist and international wine judge with a strong platform reaching global audiences.
Profile: Anne-Wies van Oosten – Wine Travel Awards
Judges’ Choice Award (Robert Joseph):
#18 Chan Jun Park (South Korea)
Chan Jun Park is an internationally recognized Korean wine professional with over 20 years of experience in the global wine industry. He is Asia Director of the OIV Asia Wine Trophy and initiator of the International Wine Conference.
Profile: Chan Jun Park – Wine Travel Awards
Judges’ Choice Award (Robert Joseph):
#114 Allison Levine (USA)
Allison Levine is the owner of Please The Palate, a boutique agency specializing in marketing, event strategy, and storytelling for the wine and spirits industry. Allison is also the U.S. host of the podcast Wine Soundtrack and the creator of The Festival of Undiscovered Grapes, an educational event dedicated to lesser-known grape varieties.
Profile: Allison Levine – Wine Travel Awards
Comment
Robert Joseph:
“My final shortlist featured Chan Jun Park, Anne-Weiss van Oosten, and Allison Levine — again, very different in style, and again a close race. Ultimately, my choice was Anne-Weiss van Oosten for her commitment to Romania, a country that deserves far greater international recognition.”
The Brightest Journey
Judge: Matthew Horkey (USA) is a wine expert, author, and founder of a popular YouTube channel focused on making wine accessible and engaging. He has written three books and produced thousands of videos and articles for a global audience. As an international wine judge, he tastes thousands of wines annually and travels widely to explore wine regions, grape varieties, and styles, sharing insights with both enthusiasts and professionals.
Winner:
#104 Jamie Knee (USA)
Jamie Knee is the creator of Petite Wine Traveler and host of an upcoming PBS series exploring global wine regions through storytelling.
Profile: Jamie Knee – Wine Travel Awards
In the world of wine, every ending is merely a pause before the next vintage – a reminder that resilience, curiosity, and the quiet work of dedicated people shape the future more than any circumstance ever could. The Wine Travel Awards community has always been driven by those who continue to cultivate beauty, meaning, and connection even when the horizon seems uncertain.
As long as there are vineyards to explore, stories to tell, and people who believe in the transformative power of culture and hospitality, our journey continues.
Congratulations to all – both finalists and winners!
A special note of gratitude goes to our judges, who, year after year, have carried out the demanding work of evaluation on a voluntary basis – and who have supported us unfailingly, not only with their expertise, their presence at our events, and even their budgets, but also with a kind word in the moments when it mattered most.
For five years, you have been part of a journey that continues to blossom, even in challenging times. The future is wide open, and we look forward to everything we will create together.
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