Wine Enthusiast Unveils 2025 Wine Star Awards Nominees Across Global Wine and Beverage Industry

Wine Enthusiast has announced the nominees for its 26th annual Wine Star Awards 2025, a program that recognizes significant achievements in the wine and beverage industry. The awards, which will be presented at a black-tie gala in January 2026, highlight individuals and companies across 12 categories. Winners will be featured in the magazine’s Best of Year issue. In addition to the main categories, special honors will be given for American Wine Legend, Lifetime Achievement Award, American Wine Region of the Year, and International (Non-U.S.) Wine Region of the Year.

The selection process for the Wine Star Awards involves input from all divisions of Wine Enthusiast’s media team, including sales, events, marketing, and editorial. Nominations are submitted with supporting explanations and then narrowed down through anonymous voting. The final list of nominees is chosen by the Executive Media team based on factors such as consumer impact, commercial success, brand vision, and trendsetting influence.

This year’s Person of the Year nominees include Ben Aneff of Tribeca Wine Merchants and the U.S. Wine Trade Alliance; Tom Bené of Breakthru Beverage Group; Karen MacNeil, Gino Colangelo, and Kimberly Noelle Charles for their Come Over October campaign; Roberta Corrà of Gruppo Italiano Vini; and Cindy Leonard of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. These individuals have been recognized for their leadership in advocacy, business innovation, community engagement, and industry education.

For American Winery of the Year, nominees are Barefoot Wine (California), Dynamis Estate Wines (North Carolina), Flowers Vineyards & Winery (California), Gloria Ferrer (California), and Red Tail Ridge Winery (New York). These wineries have demonstrated excellence through community involvement, sustainable practices, and innovative winemaking.

European Winery of the Year nominees include Bodegas Faustino (Spain), Cantina Zaccagnini (Italy), Carpineto Winery (Italy), Codorníu (Spain), and Travaglini (Italy). Each has contributed to elevating their regions through quality production and sustainability initiatives.

The New World Winery of the Year category features House of Arras (Australia), Luigi Bosca (Argentina), Pyramid Valley Vineyards (New Zealand), Santa Julia (Argentina), and Tapiz (Argentina). These wineries are noted for pioneering new techniques and promoting their regions on a global scale.

Winemaker of the Year nominees are Ed Carr (House of Arras), Andrea Daldin (Lamole di Lamole), Jesse Katz (Aperture Cellars), Samra Morris (Alma Rosa Winery), and Alejandro Vigil (Catena Zapata). Their work spans continents and styles but is united by a commitment to quality and innovation.

Environmental Advocate of the Year highlights efforts in sustainability. Nominees include Craig Camp (Troon Vineyard), Mimi Casteel (Hope Well Wine), Col d’Orcia (Italy), Stephen Cronk (Maison Mirabeau), and VSPT Wine Group (Chile). These individuals and organizations are leading projects in regenerative agriculture, organic certification, carbon reduction, and community well-being.

In hospitality, Sommelier/Beverage Director of the Year nominees are Sarah Sutel Looper (il Buco/Loopersomm), Chris McFall (SingleThread), Vanessa Price (author/restaurateur/wine director), Hailey Pruitt (Mixtli), and Mia Van de Water (Gracious Hospitality Management). They are recognized for educational outreach, creative pairings, and expanding access to wine knowledge.

Wine Executive of the Year includes Bo Barrett (Chateau Montelena/Barrett & Barrett), Valerie Gerard-Matsuura (Hopscotch), Dan Kleinman (Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits), Gary Mortensen (Stoller Wine Group), and Rick Tigner (Jackson Family Wines). These leaders have driven growth through strategic vision, marketing innovation, and support for regional development.

Importer of the Year nominees are Coeur Wine Co., Monsieur Touton Selection Ltd., Tri-Vin Wines and Spirits, VOS Selections, and WinesU. Their portfolios focus on quality-driven producers from both established and emerging regions.

The Innovator of the Year category features Bom Dia (Brazilian sparkling wine in cans/bottles), Giesen Wines (New Zealand non-alcoholic wines), Nozeco (French zero-proof wines), Salt West (Sicilian Grillo project by three Masters of Wine), and XXL Wines (“Wine Without Manners” with high alcohol content).

Ready-to-drink beverages are also recognized. RTD of the Year nominees include BeatBox from Austin, BuzzBallz from Carrollton, St. Agrestis from Brooklyn, Surfside from Philadelphia, and The Finnish Long Drink from New York. These brands have found success with unique formats or flavors that appeal to new generations of drinkers.

Spirit Brand of the Year nominees are Brother’s Bond Bourbon (Tennessee), Johnnie Walker (Scotland), Procera Gin (Kenya), Tres Agaves Tequila (California/Mexico), and Virginia Distillery Co. All have made notable contributions to their categories through product quality or cultural impact.

The winners in each category will be announced ahead of the January 2026 gala. The event is expected to draw key figures from across the beverage industry to celebrate achievements in winemaking, sustainability, hospitality, innovation, importation, ready-to-drink products, spirits production, and executive leadership. For more information about attending or sponsoring the gala event in January 2026, interested parties can contact Ebony Hurwitz at Wine Enthusiast.