The 2026 International London Wine Competition has officially concluded its ninth edition, celebrating excellence across the global wine industry. This year, 2024 Ernest Pinot Noir from Hasher Family Wines, South Africa emerged as the standout performer, securing multiple titles which includes Wine of the Year, Pinot Noir of the Year, Wine of the Year South Africa, Winery of the Year, and Winery of the Year South Africa, alongside a Double Gold Medal and an impressive 99-point score. This achievement stands as testament to its quality, value, and presentation.

2024 Ernest Pinot Noir by Hasher Family Wines of South Africa wins the top wine at the 2026 London Wine Competition

Named after Frederik and Céline Hasher's firstborn child, Ernest is the wine that carries the family's story in every bottle. Produced on their estate in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley — a cool-climate haven on South Africa's Cape South Coast shaped by ocean breezes and decomposed granite soils over clay — Ernest Pinot Noir is a precise expression of place. Founded in 2021, Hasher Family Estate has quickly built a reputation for quality and sustainability, with winemaker Natasha Williams working with native yeasts and a restrained French oak programme to let the valley's signature red berry, floral, and herbaceous character speak for itself, finishing with the clean, saline lift that only this coastal valley can impart.

This is also the second consecutive year that Hasher Family Wines has claimed Winery of the Year and Winery of the Year South Africa at the London Wine Competition — an attestation to the estate's consistent commitment to regenerative farming and minimal-intervention winemaking. From chemical-free viticulture and organic composting to the deliberate avoidance of heavy extraction in the cellar, every decision on the estate is guided by a single belief: that a healthy ecosystem produces healthier, more honest fruit. 

The 2024 Ernest Pinot Noir, awarded Double Gold and 99 points by a panel of over 70 trade professionals, including Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine, stands as the finest expression yet of what this young estate is capable of.

Now in its ninth edition, the International London Wine Competition continues to raise the bar, evaluating entries not just on taste, but on their value for money and packaging. 

The competition drew entries from more than 30 countries, with particularly strong representation from Australia, Spain, France, Italy and Portugal among others— reflecting the increasingly global character of the wine industry. The 2026 LWC saw chardonnay, shiraz, cab sauvignon, pinot noir and sauvignon blanc as the most entered categories, followed by tempranillo, merlot and grenache.

This year’s judging brought together over 70 top industry experts, including Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, wine directors and elite buyers. The panel featured names like Matteo Montone MS (Group Wine Director at Gleneagles Hotel), Dario Barbato DipWSET (Member of the Golden Vines Academy - The Golden Vines), Dan Belmont (Director & Wine Buyer at Good Wine Good People & GWGP Trade), Emily Brighton MW (Master of Wine & Head of Technical at North South Wines Ltd),  Irem Eren DipWSET (Regional And Category Expert For Low and No Alcohol Category) and Bianca Ford (Operations Director and Buyer at Yapp Brothers Ltd), lending exceptional credibility and insight to the process. 

These judges brought a wealth of experience from various sectors, including hospitality, retail, and education, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of each entry.

“We tasted across wines, RTDs, wine proxies and sparkling teas, and the takeaway was clear: quality is moving forward at a serious pace. What impressed me most was the improvement in balance and overall product integrity. Beyond the results, it was a pleasure to judge in such a remarkable venue and alongside an excellent panel of judges.

The category is becoming more sophisticated, more competitive, and far more exciting.”

- Irem Eren DipWSET, Regional And Category Expert For Low and No Alcohol Category.

“The attention to detail was excellent. The quality levels and diversity of styles was great to see. Judging is definitely a challenge but constructive feedback is absolutely crucial. It’s not just flavour profile, aesthetics and commercials are just as important. You need all 3! Looking forward to seeing the results.”

— Sam Cooklin-Smith, Co-Founder of KORE Drinks

“Back for a second year, I always look forward to this competition as it’s always so diverse and really gets you thinking, just who is, really, the best in their category.”

— Chris Howells, MUST Group Director

2026 London Wine Competition Judges

World-Class Judging Panel

The judging panel included some of the UK’s most respected voices in wines, hospitality, and the drinks trade. Judges included:​

• Tim Triptree MW- International Director, Wine at Christie's

• Svetoslav Manolev MS – Regional Sales Manager at Berkmann Wine Cellars

• Matteo Montone MS – Group Wine Director at Gleneagles Hotel

• Christopher Delalonde MS – Master Sommelier

• Eric Zwiebel MS – Director of Wine at Bonheur by Matt Abe

• Emily Brighton MW – Master of Wine & Head of Technical at North South Wines Ltd

• David Gill MW - Master of Wine

• Sara Muirhead MW – Freelance consultant providing wine companies with PR, marketing and event organisation related services

• Annette Scarfe MW – Independent Wine Professional

• Demetri Walters MW – An independent wine consultant, wine educator and presenter

• Adriana Valentini – Wine Director Monteverdi Tuscany, Wine Buyer, Independent Wine Consultant

• Federico Moccia – Head of Wine & Operations London at 67 Pall Mall

• Michele Orbolato – Head of Wine at Thesleff Group, UK

• Anastasios Karakasis – Head of Wine & Wine Buyer at Lilibet's Mayfair

• Paul Grimwood – Buyer and Founder of Spanish importer and Retailing Group Ultracomida-Spanish Wines.

• Matteo Furlan DipWSET – Head of Wines at The Dorchester

View the full list of judges here.

Standout Winners from 2026 Include:

• Wine of the Year: 2024 Ernest Pinot Noir by Hasher Family Wines – South Africa, Double Gold – 99 Points

• Best Wine by Quality: 2023 Grand Duc Chardonnay by GlenWood Vineyards Pty Ltd – South Africa, Double Gold – 99 Points

• Best Wine by Value: 2023 Eikendal Charisma by Eikendal Vineyards (Pty) Ltd. – South Africa, Double Gold – 96 Points

• Best Wine by Package: 2025 Little Owl by Artisan Group of Brands – Greece, Double Gold – 97 Points

• Winery of the Year: Hasher Family Wines, South Africa (For their 2024 Ernest Pinot Noir, Double Gold – 99 Points)

• Red Wine Producer of the Year: 2021 Adega de Pegões Grand Reserve by Cooperativa Agrícola Sto. Isidro de Pegões C.R.L. – Portugal, Double Gold – 98 Points

• White Wine Producer of the Year: Vineyard Farms Ltd (Trading as MDCV UK) – United Kingdom (For their 2018 Blanc De Blancs by Silverhand Estate, Double Gold - 96 Points)

• Non Alcoholic Wine Producer Of The Year: Vinolo Ltd – Spain (For their 2024 Zeno alcohol-liberated Viura, Double Gold – 96 Points)

• Winery Of The Year France: Champagne Deutz – France (For their 2023 Delas - Seigneur De Maugiron by Maison Delas Frères, Double Gold – 96 Points)

• Winery Of The Year Italy: Poggio Degli Ulivi – Italy (For their 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio Degli Ulivi, Gold – 95 Points)

• Winery Of The Year South Africa: Hasher Family Wines, South Africa (For their 2024 Ernest Pinot Noir, Double Gold – 99 Points)

• Winery Of The Year Portugal: Cooperativa Agrícola Sto. Isidro de Pegões C.R.L. – Portugal (For their 2021 Adega de Pegões Grand Reserve, Double Gold – 98 Points)

• Winery Of The Year Austria: Weingut Christoph Edelbauer – Austria (For their 2021 Riesling Ried Steinhaus Kamptal DAC, Double Gold – 97 Points)

• Pinot Noir Of The Year: 2024 Ernest Pinot Noir by Hasher Family Wines – South Africa, Double Gold – 99 Points

• Merlot Of The Year: 2022 Steenberg Vineyards Merlot by Steenberg Vineyards – South Africa, Gold – 95 Points

• Sauvignon Blanc Of The Year: 2024 Divin Vigneron Sauvignon Blanc 0.5% by Lestonat Divin, Double Gold – 97 Points

• Chardonnay Of The Year: 2023 Grand Duc Chardonnay by GlenWood Vineyards Pty Ltd – South Africa, Double Gold – 99 Points

• Rkatsiteli Of The Year: 2024 Tsinandali Iberiuli by Shumi Winery – Georgia, Gold – 92 Points

• Riesling Of The Year: 2021 Riesling Ried Steinhaus Kamptal DAC by Weingut Christoph Edelbauer – Austria, Double Gold – 97 Points

• Sangiovese Of The Year: 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio degli ulivi by Poggio degli Ulivi, Gold – 95 Points

Commenting on the results, London Competitions CEO Sid Patel said:

“At the London Wine Competition, a winning wine must excel in quality, offer outstanding value for money, and be packaged in a way that truly connects with today’s consumer. What makes this competition unique is that all products are judged by the highest level of trade professionals—Master Sommeliers, Wine Directors, and buyers—who understand what sells and what delights customers. Our winners represent the very best of the global wine industry.” 

— Sid Patel, CEO, London Wine Competition.​

View the full list of winners for 2025:

https://londonwinecompetition.com/en/competition-global-results/2026/

About the London Wine Competition

Now in its ninth year, the International London Wine Competition continues to set the benchmark for wine judging, by focusing on what truly matters in today’s market—quality, value, and consumer appeal. Built to reflect real-world buying decisions, the competition recognizes wines that are not only technically excellent but also commercially viable in competitive retail and on-trade environments.

2026 International London Wine Competition Judges over 2 days, London

Judging Criteria: Built for the Real Market

At the International London Wine Competition, medals are awarded based on a weighted composite score derived from the competition’s three core judging criteria—Quality, Value, and Packaging.

To reflect the importance of how the wine tastes and performs in the glass, Quality is given double weight in the final score calculation.

The scoring formula is as follows: Final Score = (2 × Quality + Value + Packaging) ÷ 4

This approach ensures that while all three criteria are important, the drinking experience remains the most critical factor, while still accounting for price positioning and shelf appeal. 

Each wine is independently evaluated by multiple judges, and scores are aggregated to ensure consistency, fairness, and accuracy. Medals are awarded only to wines that meet strict scoring thresholds.

• Double Gold Medal (96–100 Points)
The highest honor awarded by the competition, Double Gold is reserved for exceptional wines that demonstrate outstanding quality across all judging parameters. These are products that stand out unanimously among judges and are considered best-in-class examples with strong market potential.

• Gold Medal (90–95 Points)
Gold medals are awarded to wines that show excellent craftsmanship, balance, and strong value positioning. These wines perform at a high level across all criteria and are highly recommended for both trade buyers and consumers.

• Silver Medal (85–89 Points)
Silver medals recognize very good wines that demonstrate solid quality and commercial appeal. These wines are well-made, competitive within their category, and suitable for a wide range of market placements.

• Bronze Medal (80–84 Points)
Bronze medals are awarded to wines that meet good quality standards and show clear potential in the market, offering a reliable and enjoyable drinking experience with appropriate value.

This structured scoring system ensures that all medal winners from the London Wine Competition are not only technically sound but also commercially relevant, helping buyers and distributors identify products that are ready to succeed in today’s global wine market.

Demetri Walters MW, 2026 London Wine Competition Judging

A Truly International Platform

With entries submitted from wineries around the world and judging hosted in London—one of the most influential global hubs for wines, hospitality, and trade—the competition offers brands a powerful gateway to international recognition and new market opportunities. Winning at the International London Wine Competition signals to buyers that a product meets the standards required for both quality and commercial success, making it a valuable endorsement for expanding distribution globally.

Why This Competition Matters

The competition is organized by Beverage Trade Network, a global platform connecting the beverage industry through events, competitions, and media. With a strong footprint across the USA, UK, and international markets, Beverage Trade Network brings deep industry expertise and a buyer-focused approach to all its competitions. Its mission is to help brands grow their distribution by giving them direct exposure to key trade buyers, importers, distributors, and hospitality professionals.