The V d’Or awards are decided by a distinguished Judging Panel, composed of leading figures from across the world of wine and spirits.
In each of the three categories, the applications that stood out most to the panel are shortlisted as nominees and invited to take part in the awards ceremony.
The winners are then revealed at the V d’Or Ceremony on 8 February 2026, the eve of Wine Paris, before an audience of industry leaders and influential voices from the wine and spirits community.
The V d’Or Judging Panel
The judging panel consists of professionals from the world of wines and spirits. Drawing on their extensive knowledge of the industry, they will identify the most promising initiatives with the power to make a real difference.
PRESIDENT OF THE V D'OR JUDGING PANEL.
Michel Chapoutier
Michel Chapoutier is unique, unconventional and curious about everything. Always on the move - in his ideas, his tastes, and his desires - he says: “If I stay still, I fall.”
A wine-lover and life-lover, Michel is both enthusiastic and generous. His wine journey began at 26, when he took the helm of M. CHAPOUTIER. He does not see himself as the heir to a tradition: his choices and his vision have always been pioneering.
Is he a winegrower? He prefers to call himself a farmer – close to the earth, seeking out new terroirs, revealing the expression of the soil through his wines.
CEO, Terroirs & Vignerons de Champagne
Christophe Juarez
Christophe Juarez is an expert in luxury brand management, specialising in international development strategies. After a successful career with several leading luxury groups, including Chanel and L’Oréal Luxury Division, his first role in the wine industry was as Managing Director of Laroche. He then moved to Cognac H. Mounier, where he served as President of the Executive Board. He became CEO of Terroirs & Vignerons de Champagne and MD of Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte in 2017.
Vice President, International Marketing, Wine Institute & California Wines
Honore Comfort
Honore Comfort draws on her 20+ years of experience in international wine marketing, brand strategy, and association management to build the global brand for California Wines and promote exports. Prior to joining Wine Institute, she held senior leadership positions in the wine sector including Executive Director of the Sonoma County Vintners, President of Brack Mountain Wine Company, and North American Brand Director for Penfolds and Rosemount Estate.
CEO, PICCINI 1882
Mario Piccini
Over the past 40 years, Mario Piccini has transformed Piccini 1882, his family winery, into a global brand. He is renowned for creating one of Piccini's most iconic labels, Chianti Orange, now one of the most widely distributed Chianti wines in the world. Since becoming CEO in 2004, he has expanded the business by acquiring several estates in Basilicata, Etna, Piedmont and the Prosecco hills.
Independent wine and drinks writer, Rosso Bianco
Nimmi Malhotra
Nimmi Malhotra brings two decades of experience in publishing, wine and spirit industry. Based in Singapore, she writes for leading international publications and serves as a judge at major wine and spirit competitions including Decanter World Wine Awards. She actively participates in industry discussions as a speaker and moderator, offering insights and perspective on the Asia-Pacific's drinks culture. Nimmi holds a master’s degree in marketing from Monash University, Australia, and earned the WSET Diploma in 2017.
Managing Director, Bodega Garzón
Christian Wylie
Christian Wylie has an impressive track record, including senior leadership roles at Carolina Wine Brands (Chile) and Establecimiento Juanicó (Uruguay). He holds an agricultural engineering degree with a specialisation in fruiticulture and enology from the Catholic University of Chile. He also studied at the University of California at Davis and completed a post-graduate senior management program at the ESE Business School in Chile. He was honoured as ‘Wine Executive of the Year’ in the 2023 Wine Star Awards organized by Wine Enthusiast’s.
President & CEO, Belvedere Vodka
François-Xavier Desplancke
François-Xavier graduated from EDHEC Business School and began his career in Moët Hennessy in 1997 in MHD France as a Key account director. In 2003, he started his International career during 15 years leading MH distribution subsidiaries and various regions His majors key career milestones in Moet Hennessy were the creation of some MH companies in Europe from various regions from Nordics to Russia. He came back to France in 2018 as a CEO of Moet Hennessy Diageo France and since 2022 became the President & CEO of Belvedere vodka. As from August 2025, FX is the Head of MH Spirits Belvedere, Eminente, SirDavis, Glenmorangie & Ardbeg.