Best Education & Transmission – Wine
France/Singapore
ASI x Sommelier Association of Singapore
The ASI Bootcamp is a three-day, high-level training program designed to accelerate the development of the next generation of sommeliers worldwide. Since 2021, the Bootcamp has become one of the most impactful initiatives in international wine education, offering participants a combination of advanced theory, blind tasting, and service training.
Austria
Austrian Wine Marketing Board
“Environmental Consciousness” is a B2B campaign run by the Austrian Wine Marketing Board to collect and share knowledge about eco-friendly viticulture and Austria’s leading role in this field. Through research-based content, a digital campaign and in-person knowledge transfer, as well as stories from winemakers, the campaign helps producers, educators, trade partners, and opinion leaders understand and communicate about environmentally conscious viticulture.
France
Comité Champagne
E-Learning Champagne is a brand-new, free, and interactive online course launched in March 2025. Structured across three progressive levels, it offers learners of all backgrounds the opportunity to become true Champagne experts. The course delivers up-to-date, objective insights into the Champagne region and its wines, making it an essential resource for all wine professionals and anyone passionate about wine.
India
Sonal Holland Academy x Wine & Spirit Education Trust
The Women in Wine: Innovation & Leadership Scholarship is a pioneering initiative by The Sonal Holland Academy, India’s foremost institution for wine and beverage education, and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET). It is the first dedicated effort in India to encourage an equal representation of women in the country’s wine industry through formal education, professional mentorship, and global certification.
Australia
Wine Australia
Future Leaders identifies and develops emerging talent in the Australian wine sector. It empowers diverse voices, emphasising authentic, collaborative leadership. Rigorous selection ensures exceptional participants who drive change across the industry. Surveys show a net promoter score of 84, highlighting participant impact. The program strengthens industry innovation, resilience, and long-term competitiveness.
Best Education & Transmission – Spirits
France
Bureau National Interprofessionnel de l'Armagnac
Since its launch in June 2024, the Armagnac Educator certification has established itself as the only official BNIA-recognized program to train and accredit international specialists capable of teaching and transmitting the culture of Armagnac. A five-day immersion in Gascony, hosted by BNIA, it includes theoretical training, practical workshops, and visits to Armagnac houses. 14 educators have been certified across 10 different countries in 2024 and 2025.
France
Centre International des Spiritueux
Located in the heart of the Cognac production area, CIDS is both a market intelligence centre — publishing newsletters and studies on markets, brands, and categories for industry professionals — and a training centre dedicated since 2000 to transmitting know-how in the spirits sector. The program relies on experiential pedagogy, encouraging participants to value their local roots and link tradition with innovation. Since 2021, nearly 50 people have been trained, with a satisfaction rate above 90%.
United Kingdom
The Whisky Exchange
The Whisky Exchange introduced Welcome to Whisky in April 2025, a show for the “whisky intrigued”. The show acts as an extension of the #WeAreWhisky campaign and focuses on helping newcomers to the drinks industry take their first steps towards developing a passion for whisky. In total, 226 members of the drinks trade attended the session, with 250 whiskies on offer from 40 exhibitors. All whiskies available to taste were regular releases under £100.
Best Innovation – Wine
France
Agrafes Vitis 4.0
The AV4 is a 100% biodegradable vineyard clip that replaces metal and plastic staples. It naturally decomposes in soil, reducing waste and simplifying vineyard operations. Made in France from natural fibres with zero-waste production. Direct-to-grower sales ensure fair pricing and adoption. Already scaled in over 100 vineyards, it reduces environmental impact while maintaining efficiency.
France
Baron Philippe de Rothschild
The launch of Mouton Cadet Fresh Collection in the US - three certified organic, vegan Bordeaux wines for younger consumers - was supported by a 360° marketing strategy including over a dozen tradeshows and wine festivals and more than 100 in-store tastings to build awareness and engagement. Online visibility was also optimised, notably through increased presence on wine.com, a leading U.S. wine e-commerce platform.
Portugal
Odelabev, LDA
Delância has created a new product category of wine-based sparkling botanical aperitifs blending wine and mixology with low ABV and natural ingredients. They appeal to younger, wellness-oriented consumers. Sustainable practices include recycled packaging and support for Iberian Lynx conservation. Visual storytelling and terroir-driven design reinforce brand identity. Strong commercial uptake demonstrates market appeal and innovation.
France
Pierre Chavin
CHAVIN is France’s premium alcohol-free spirit pioneer. Innovation is central to CHAVIN’s strategy. It is evident in its product ranges, technological choices, positioning, and distribution network. Sold in 65 countries, the brand also innovates in communication, referencing, media presence, and opinion leadership in the non-alcoholic sector. It achieved €15M revenue with 2.5M bottles annually, redefining alcohol-free consumption.
France
SAS Ice Tropez
Ice Tropez is a premium wine-based cocktail, born from the spirit of Saint-Tropez. It blends refreshing, delicately sparkling wine with natural fruit aromas, offering a light and stylish alternative to traditional beverages. As one of the very first ready-to-drink cocktails made from wine, Ice Tropez pioneered a new era for the wine world, opening it up to fresh, innovative consumption moments. It has sold over 25M bottles in 45 countries.
Best Innovation – Spirits
Peru
Bodega Santa Maria Magdalena
This Peruvian pisco brand pioneers a market-making brand model that converts gender equity into competitive advantage and new demand. Avant-garde bottle design is paired with bold storytelling and premium liquid quality, positioning pisco for the regular luxury audience while also appealing to Gen Z/Premium drinkers who value purpose. Market growth shows that purpose-driven equity can generate commercial success.
Norway
Contagious x Feddie Ocean Distillery
Feddie is a female-led distillery that promotes social and environmental sustainability in spirits. Rebranded with “Powered by Women – Made for Progress – Born of Fedje Island” its sustainable packaging includes 25% lighter, 52% recycled glass bottles and personalised whisky labels, creating collectability and rapid sell-outs. The success of Feddie demonstrates scalable, gender-conscious, eco-friendly spirits production.
United Kingdom
Diageo x PA Consulting
Johnnie Walker tested a 70cl paper-based Black Label bottle to reduce plastic use and carbon footprint as a first-of-its-kind sustainable innovation in luxury spirits. Made from 90% Dry Moulded Fiber with a recyclable liner, a functional and durable design with premium aesthetics, it was trialled in a real bar setting. It achieved 60% weight reduction and up to 47% lower emissions versus glass.
Best Sustainability Initiative – Wine
Portugal
BA Glass
BA Glass produces lightweight, recyclable bottles for wine and spirits under its PURE platform. It has reduced CO₂ emissions by 21% since 2020 and uses100% renewable electricity since 2022. Circularity is emphasised through high cullet reuse and closed-loop systems. Lightweighting reduces carbon footprint while maintaining premium aesthetics. BA Glass is recognised globally for sustainable glass production leadership.
United States
California Wine Institute
The Climate Action Toolkit, developed by CSWA, guides growers on regenerative, climate-smart practices. 2,634 vineyards and 223 wineries (90% of California wine) are now certified. Both workshops and advisory groups engage the industry in actionable climate initiatives. The toolkit is scalable internationally, demonstrating leadership in sustainable winegrowing.
France
Famille Perrin
Famille Perrin has set up the CIRCUS task force to make the best use of vineyard by-products. BEAU DOMAINE, a luxury skincare brand co-founded with Brad Pitt, combines cutting-edge science and natural vineyard-sourced ingredients. Grape pomace has been transformed into plant-based leather, used in an eco-responsible watch strap. With Greenspot Technologies, Famille Perrin also explores food applications, such as using grapes to replace cocoa in chocolate and powders.
United Kingdom
Regenerative Viticulture Foundation
One Block Challenge enables growers to trial regenerative farming on a single vineyard block with the aim of turning 10% of global vineyards to regenerative practices by 2035. Peer learning, soil testing, and collaborative composting support scalable adoption. Already 46 vineyards and 20,000+ acres have been converted in Paso Robles. 1BC has also launched in South Africa, New Zealand, and the UK, each time with sold-out workshops
Portugal
The Porto Protocol
The Unpacking Wine guide turns packaging into a measurable climate action lever and provides global wine producers with actionable insights for sustainable packaging. It covers carbon, water, biodiversity, materials, and supply chain impacts and was developed collaboratively with wineries and packaging experts worldwide. It’s been widely adopted by industry, academia, and retailers.
Best Sustainability Initiative – Spirits
Denmark
Clean Spirits
A Clean Spirit focuses on producing the world’s most sustainable rum. Using wind-powered shipping, recycled labels, and lightweight bottles (up to 30% lighter) that significantly reduce CO₂ emissions it became B Corp certified in 2024, reinforcing its sustainability commitment. Travel Retail expansion in the Nordics demonstrates its commercial viability alongside purpose.
Canada
Distillerie du Fjord
DISTILLERIE DU FJORD produces spirits using locally foraged, upcycled ingredients. Cucumber Gin and Limoncello save 8 tons of produce per year from waste. Circularity extends to by-products used in food, jobs, and community contributions. Production is powered by hydroelectricity and closed-loop water systems. A bottle return program reinforces circularity and environmental responsibility.
United States
Suntory Global Spirits
Maker’s Mark® launched Star Hill Farm Whisky (SHFW), the distillery’s first new mashbill and first wheat whisky, celebrating the role regenerative agriculture plays in creating healthier soil, better flavour, and a more sustainable future. Maker’s Mark is scaling its sustainability efforts by establishing The Maker’s Mark Regenerative Alliance and has committed to transitioning one million acres of conventional farmland to regenerative over the next three years.
Jury’s Special Mention
France
Calvados Christian Drouin SAS
The Instagram campaign launched by Calvados Christian Drouin on, built around the cocktail competition #calvadosxcheese, successfully combined creativity, humour, and community engagement. Bartenders were invited to post two types of photos either showcasing their original cocktail paired with a cheese-based creation or featuring themselves playfully posing with apples.139 participants across France and Australia engaged, generating 7,700+ likes.
Bhutan
Bhutan Wine Company
Bhutan Wine Company is the first Himalayan wine company and an innovator in high-altitude viticulture. It has developed dedicated systems to protect grapes from monsoons, birds, and wasps and overcome challenges unique to a carbon-negative, remote country. The flagship wine of Bhutan Wine Company sold for $18,750 through Bonhams Global Fine Wine auctions at the first ever sales of this wine, putting it squarely amidst the likes of Chateau Petrus.
United Kingdom
Sustainability In Drinks
SID is a global sustainability platform for the drinks sector, connecting producers, retailers, NGOs, and policymakers. It features workshops, debates, and exhibitions on climate, packaging, and social sustainability and facilitates cross-sector dialogue, peer learning, and practical solutions. Inclusive pricing ensures broad access while emphasising measurable impact. It is recognized as the flagship international sustainability event in the drinks trade.
France
Terra Vitis
In 2025, Terra Vitis, a certification for winegrowers committed to sustainable development, introduced a new requirement in its standards to raise awareness and support members in preparing for the transfer of their estates. Winegrowers are now asked to carry out a succession assessment starting at age 55 and to identify potential successors, ensuring the long-term sustainability of winegrowing heritage and know-how.