UK drinks businesses and organisations have secured prominent recognition in the newly revealed nominations for the 2026 V d’Or, with sustainability emerging as a particular area of strength.
Organised by Vinexposium, the parent company of Wine Paris, the V d’Or business awards celebrate excellence across education, innovation and sustainability in the global wine and spirits industry. The winners will be announced on 8 February, on the eve of Wine Paris.
Among the UK’s four nominations, one of the most significant nods comes via the Jury’s Special Mention category, where Sustainability In Drinks has been shortlisted for its role in “driving industry-wide sustainability through education and advocacy”.
The Special Mention category highlights initiatives that fall outside the core award structures but are deemed by judges to make exceptional contributions to the sector. The inclusion of Sustainability In Drinks places the UK alongside standout organisations from France and Bhutan.
Elsewhere, the UK has also been shortlisted across multiple categories. The Whisky Exchange appears in Best Education & Transmission – Spirits for its consumer-facing approach to spirits education, while Diageo, in collaboration with PA Consulting, has been nominated in Best Innovation – Spirits for its work on a paper-based Johnnie Walker bottle aimed at reducing plastic use and carbon footprint.
In the sustainability categories, the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation represents the UK in Best Sustainability Initiative – Wine, reflecting growing industry interest in soil health and regenerative farming practices.
Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium, said this year’s nominees “reflect the key forces driving our industry today: innovation, sustainability and education”. He went on to highlight how the awards showcase “practical answers addressing the evolution of wine, spirits and no-low drinks”.
Launched in 2024, the V d’Or awards are judged by an independent international panel drawn from across the global wine and spirits sector. Vinexposium is a global organiser of industry platforms and wine and spirits trade events, most notably Wine Paris, alongside events such as Vinexpo America, Vinexpo Asia and Vinexpo India.
