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World’s Best Wineries

The WINERY STAR GUIDE Award is particularly meaningful because it represents the voice of Wine Leaders. This accomplishment speaks to the high standards, the passion and dedication of local wineries in making great wines. Wine Leaders award their favorite wines and winemakers so that wineries can amplify their story around the world and grow their success in a meaningful way. 

World’s Best Wineries

The World’s Best Wine Destinations

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The WIA WINERY STAR GUIDE is a celebration of wine people, places, and experiences that make the world worth exploring. Discovering great wines and wineries is not what we do, it is who we are. We aim to reward excellence in the wine industry worldwide, ensuring recognition for the very best wines and wineries. 

The World’s Best Wineries guide was created to inspire the global wine community to explore further. It’s a community where uniqueness and passion for wine is celebrated and everyone is rewarded by the experiences collected along the way.

We have been inspired by the resilience and bravery of so many great wineries that have continued to make superior wines even during challenging times. We are proud to honor wineries  with an international wine community prestigious endorsement.

Sommeliers, experts, professionals, wine influencers, and others award their favorite wineries anywhere in the world. Experience wine & wine destinations through the insider expertise of our Wine Leaders whose passion for wine has been cultivated with love & dedication over the years. 

Certificate Of Excellence

The Winery Star Certificate represents a prestigious award of excellence, distinguishing exceptional wineries across the globe. Awarded by Wine Leaders, this accolade honors outstanding wine quality and the overall winery experience, elevating a winery’s credibility within the international wine community.

Owning this certificate is not just an honor; it’s a significant asset. It draws the attention of buyers, distributors, business partners, and wine enthusiasts, sparking their interest in exploring quality wines and visiting great wineries.

The winery’s name and the relevant year will be proudly displayed on the certificate. Showcase this honor on websites, social media platforms, or in other promotional materials. Additionally, a framed version of the certificate is available for delivery.

Awarded By
Wine Leaders

Wine Leaders award wineries that make their most favorite wines and that are worth exploring

Winery Star Guide

4 Pillars

1.

QUALITY

Recognition from WIA and Wine Leaders enhance the credibility that is an essential indicator of quality. It can help to ensure additional exposure and enhance brand esteem as well.

2.

TRANSPARENCY

Wine Leaders stand by their awardees by their name. WIA offers a dedicated profile page allowing them to share their bios and online activities, providing insights into their expertise and contributions to the wine industry.

3.

COMMUNITY

Bringing together people and businesses in the wine community globally. We provide a quality winery guide that helps and promotes connections and growth in the wine industry.

4.

INTERNATIONAL

WIA champions the global wine sector by enhancing networking and commerce, celebrating the unique passion for wine. It ensures rewarding experiences for all, fostering a thriving wine community worldwide.

World’s Best Wineries

For Wineries

  • Credibility
  • Quality
  • Promotion
  • Expansion

For Wine Community

  • Exposure
  • Authority
  • Network
  • Opportunities

WIA
WINE JUDGES

WIA evaluates wineries and vineyards around the world, utilizing the knowledge and expertise of our WIA Wine Judges, a diverse panel including sommeliers, influencers, experts, and specialists. The selection of wineries and vineyards stands out not only for the quality of their wine but also for the unique experiences they offer to visitors.

WIA Master Judge
The Highest Level of Wine Sommelier

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  • Master of Wine (MW)
    Master Sommelier (MS)
  • Diploma in Wines and Spirits (DipWSET)
  • Certified Wine Educator (CWE)
  • ISGM and ISGM Degree (ISG)

WIA Sommelier Judge
Wine Sommelier and Wine Educator

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  • Certified & Advanced Sommelier (CMS)
  • AWC & SDP Certificate (ISG)
    Sommelier Level 2 & 3 (WSET)
  • Certified Specialist (CSW) & (CSS)
  • Certified & Advanced (FWS)
  • Italian Sommelier Association (AIS)
  • French, Italian Wine Scholar (WSG)

WIA Expert Judge
Wine Expert and Wine Professional

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  • Sommelier; Viticulturist;
    Winemaker; Enologist;
    Wine Educator; Wine Writer;
    Wine Critic; Wine Influencer;
    Wine Guide: Wine Judge;
    Cellar Master;     Wine Consultant
    …and others

Bring your passion and expertise and make a lasting impact on the global wine community.

Become a Judge *

* We're thrilled to witness such enthusiasm for joining the WIA Winery Judges Panel! We warmly welcome all who have been invited. At the moment, only wine leaders who receive an invitation can become WIA judges.

Wine Leader Ambassador

Nominate 20 Representatives From Each Wine Region

The Wine Leaders Ambassadors play an important role in the WINERY STAR GUIDE and the WIA global wine community. Each Wine Leader Ambassador is entrusted with the responsibility of nominating up to 20 regional Wine Leaders. These nominees are selected based on their expertise, passion, and influence in the wine sector of their respective regions.

The process in collaboration with the Wine International Association (WIA) means that the ambassadors embody the excellence and diversity of the global wine community, fostering a network of knowledgeable and enthusiastic representatives of the unique qualities and traditions of their regional wines.

Why WIA Wine Judge

Winery Business Strategy
  • Become A Trusted Wine Authority
  • Contribute To The Wine Community
  • Contribute To Quality Assurance
  • Grow Your Global Wine Network
  • Support Your Favourite Wineries
  • Create Opportunities Globally

Voting

Voting Method

The “WINERY STAR GUIDE – Wine Leaders’ Choice” annually showcases the world’s premier wineries and vineyards, celebrating the people, places, and extraordinary experiences that define the global wine industry. At WIA, discovering exceptional wines and wineries is at the heart of what we do, and we are committed to recognizing excellence in the wine world.

Sommeliers, wine experts, wine influencers, wine critics, and wine professionals from around the globe contribute to our nominations. The Guide encompasses all countries offering a comprehensive look at the finest winery experiences.

Our selection focuses not only on the quality of the wine but also on the experience of each winery visit by WIA Judges. To ensure diverse and authentic recommendations, there are no fixed criteria for selection, other than the Voting Guidelines. A global panel of wine judges ensures a well-rounded evaluation and brings a wealth of perspectives to our winery selections.

 

Voting Guidelines

1. Visit Requirement: Judges are required to have personally visited the wineries or vineyards they are nominating within the last 6 years.
* This requirement takes into account the two-year period during which access to wineries was limited due to COVID restrictions.

2. Nomination Range and Ranking: Judges should submit a list from 6 to 10 nominations of their favorite wineries and/or vineyards, ranked in any order or order of preference if desired.

3. Voting Criteria: Voting should be based on the overall visiting experience and tasting experiences that take place directly at the winery or vineyard itself.

4. Voting Fequency: Each judge is allowed to vote only once per calendar year. This avoids overwhelming the selection process with multiple submissions from the same judges.

5. Online Voting: Judges are required to submit their selection lists by email to the address provided in the original invitation. This ensures a direct and secure submission process.

6. Transparency: For greater transparency and to build a strong wine community, WIA offers judges an attractive profile page featuring their bio and links to their online activities.View Profiles

7. Eligibility and Approval: Only wineries and vineyards that are currently in business and open to the general public are eligible for voting. WIA reserves the final say, at our sole discretion, in approving nominated wineries.

 

Continuous Voting Process

We have introduced a continuous voting system, allowing wine judges to submit their top 6 to 10 favorite wineries at any time during the year. This encourages earlier voting and provides nominated wineries with international recognition and visibility on the WORLD’s BEST WINERY list sooner.

This system keeps our guide dynamic and up-to-date, allowing judges to nominate wineries as they encounter them, showcasing the best of the global wine industry.

Each judge can vote only once per calendar year, ensuring recommendations are current and reflective of the latest trends without overwhelming the process.

Profile Guidelines

WIA Ambassadors and WIA Judges can request to have their profile removed at any time by sending a message to WIA. WIA reserves the right, at our sole discretion, to remove any WIA Ambassador or Judge profile from the WIA website.

CONTACT US

Join us in exploring the world's most remarkable wine destinations

6 STEPS

1

WIA Invite
Wine Leaders

2

Wine Leaders Propose Wineries

3

WIA Check & Approve

4

Award The Certificate

5

Create Winery Profile Page

6

Share To
Wine Community

WIA Judges

Arunkumar Tamilselvan DipWSET

World’s Best Wineries  Arunkumar Tamilselvan DipWSET    WIA Master Judge   .aHailing from India, Arunkumar Tamilselvan’s journey into the world of wine is a testament to passion, dedication, and a thirst for knowledge. Raised in a culture that abstained from alcohol, Arunkumar’s introduction to the intricacies of wine came after completing a Bachelor…

WIA Judges

Cristina Mercuri DipWSET

World’s Best Wineries  Cristina Mercuri DipWSET    WIA Master Judge   .Cristina is a part of an elite group of individuals globally who have achieved the prestigious WSET Diploma and continues her wine journey as she works to become one of the world’s 400 Masters of Wine making a lasting difference in the…

WIA Judges

Sunny Fraser

World’s Best Wineries  Sunny Fraser WIA Expert Judge   .Meet Sunny Fraser, the dynamic and enthusiastic founder behind the digital brand @sunnyonscene. Sunny has carved out a niche for herself as an influential figure and consultant in the wine industry by partnering with wineries and wine regions around the globe. Through her…

WIA Ambassadors

Isis Daniel

Isis Daniel  WIA Ambassador USA  Isis Daniel, known as The Millennial Somm (TMS), is a certified Level 3, with Merit, Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) sommelier from Washington, DC. While dedicating 5 years to the Hospitality Industry, she fell in love with wine and decided to refocus her career.. During her vino journey,…

WIA Ambassadors

Stefan Sulzer

Stefan Sulzer WIA Ambassador Germany Stefan Sulzer is a 45-year-old wine enthusiast from Münster, Germany. Being a school teacher by profession, he also finds time to develop his understanding and competence in the wine sector. More than 20 years ago he started tasting wines with a friend who worked in…

WIA Ambassadors

Benoît Lefèvre

 Benoît Lefèvre    WIA Ambassador    Canada  Creator of the wine tourism blog vino2travel.com and the Instagram account @vino2travel, Benoît Lefèvre shares wine tourism stories, winegrowers’ portraits as well as his favorite wine discoveries with his audience. . Benoît is passionate about wine, travel, gastronomy and photography and loves to share his passions with as…

WIA Ambassadors

Kirsty Woodgate DipWSET

Kirsty Woodgate WIA Ambassador UK Kirsty Woodgate DipWSET is a wine expert and communications professional from England, UK. She works as a Wine Writer, Wine Judge and Content Creator, and regularly hosts interactive wine tastings in her home county. . Wine ties together her passions, skills, qualifications and abilities. Her…

WIA Ambassadors

Alessandro Ingrosso

Alessandro Ingrosso WIA Ambassador Italy Alessandro Ingrosso is a sommelier and a wine lover from Italy. He does not like to define himself as being related to a certain sphere, because basically he compares hismself with wine, which is constantly evolving! Alessandro has been trained in the hospitality sphere, and…

WIA Judges

Nasos Tsitlikas

World’s Best Wineries  Nasos Tsitlikas WSET Level 3    WIA Sommelier Judge   .Nasos Tsitlikas’s journey in the wine industry is a testament to passion, dedication, and continuous growth. At just 25 years old, Nasos has already made significant strides in the world of wine, starting his career five years ago with a…

WIA Ambassadors

Francisca Marzá

Francisca Marzá WIA Ambassador Chile   Francisca Marzá discovered her vocation for wine in 2014. Graduated in Business Administration of the Wine Industry and a post degree in Chilean Wine at the Catholic University of Chile and additional studies as a sommelier at the Wine Institute. Content creator, communicator, and wine taster for…

WIA Judges

Nicolò S. Pudel DipWSET

World’s Best Wineries  Nicolò S. Pudel DipWSET    WIA Master Judge   .Nicolò’s journey in the wine world is marked by his relentless pursuit of knowledge and expertise. As an avid collector and passionate wine enthusiast, he continually explores unique and remote wine destinations worldwide. His commitment to wine education culminated in his…

WIA Judges

Eric Zwiebel MS

World’s Best Wineries  Eric Zwiebel Master Sommelier    WIA Master Judge   .Eric Zwiebel, MS, is a celebrated figure in the world of wine, currently holding the esteemed position of Wine Director at The Samling Hotel in Windermere, nestled in the serene and picturesque Lake District. Hailing from Alsace, Eric’s passion for wine…

WIA Ambassadors

Elisa Nardi

Elisa Nardi WIA Ambassador Italy Elisa Nardi is a sommelier and daughter of the wine producer Tenute Silvio Nardi Montalcino. She is an expert in wine marketing and a brand ambassador. Her passion for wine began a few years ago when she visited il Carapace in Montefalco (Umbria). . Elisa…

WIA Ambassadors

Olga Sofia Schiaffino

Olga Sofia Schiaffino  WIA Ambassador   Italy  Olga was elected the Best Sommelier of Liguria and received the WSET level 3. Her story with wine started in 2011 when she enrolled in a course to become a sommelier, because she wanted to understand what was in her glass: she is curious and always…

WIA Judges

Devon Lochhead DipWSET

World’s Best Wineries  Devon Lochhead DipWSET    WIA Master Judge   .Devon Lochhead’s story began at the age of 19 when he started working as a wine advisor for a fine dining restaurant in South Africa. This early exposure ignited his enthusiasm for wine and set him on a path of discovery and…

WIA Judges

Nicolas Fouilleroux DipWSET

World’s Best Wineries  Nicolas Fouilleroux DipWSET    WIA Master Judge   .Nicolas Fouilleroux’s journey is a testament to the harmonious blend of two seemingly disparate worlds: music and wine. Starting with a background in music, Fouilleroux’s deep appreciation for artistic expression and nuanced experiences laid a strong foundation for his exploration of the…

WIA Ambassadors

Karen Kraakevik

Karen Kraakevik WIA Ambassador   USA Karen, AKA The Napa Cowgirl, is a 5th generation rancher from Oklahoma bringing a mix of wine and country together that offers a relaxed western vibe into wine. She truly believes wine should be enjoyable for any lifestyle.. Karen is a wine representative helping wineries in the United…

WIA Judges

Elena Barattini DipWSET

World’s Best Wineries  Elena Barattini DipWSET    WIA Master Judge   .Elena Barattini’s journey from Italy to London in 2011 marked a pivotal moment in her life, a quest for a deeper connection to her passion for wine. Starting in retail, Elena immersed herself in the diverse world of wines, building a strong…

WIA Judges

Robert Crutchfield DipWSET

World’s Best Wineries  Robert Crutchfield DipWSET    WIA Master Judge   .Robert Crutchfield’s journey from a professional musician and music educator to becoming an Italian Wine Specialist in the Signature Division of Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits is a testament to his diverse talents and insatiable thirst for knowledge. His transition into the…

WIA Ambassadors

Marisol de la Fuente

 Marisol de la Fuente    WIA Ambassador    Argentina Marisol de la Fuente is an International Sommelier of the EAS graduated from the Argentine School of Sommeliers and Bartender at the International Center for Cocktail bar. She communicates about the world of wine and drinks with the aim of bringing it closer to…

WIA Ambassadors

Madalena Vidigal

Madalena Vidigal WIA Ambassador  Portugal   Madalena Vidigal has a degree in Hotel Management and a postgraduate degree in Wine Tourism, Digital Marketing and Viticulture. She is a wine producer in Alentejo, the south of Portugal. She has two great passions that are present in everything she does: wine and travel!. For 10…

WIA Ambassadors

Fabiana Aguinsky

 Fabiana Aguinsky    WIA Ambassador    Brazil Fabiana Aguinsky is a wife and mother of two daughters, born in Uruguay, but residing in Brazil since 2002. She currently lives in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul and is one of the most experienced wine professionals in the country. In addition to working with…

WIA Ambassadors

Mariana Gil Juncal

Mariana Gil Juncal WIA Ambassador Argentina Mariana Gil Juncal is a Spaniard born in Argentina who lives in Buenos Aires, the daughter of a Galician father and a Buenos Aires mother. She is a specialist in social communication, journalist, and Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers.…

WIA Ambassadors

Nello Gatti

Nello Gatti WIA Ambassador Italy Nello Gatti is a multilingual wine professional with an in-depth knowledge of the hospitality and marketing sectors. Even if he doesn’t come from a family of wine enthusiasts, along his path he developed an unparalleled level of communication awareness thanks to his proven history at…

WIA Judges

Ettore Donadeo DipWSET

World’s Best Wineries  Ettore Donadeo DipWSET    WIA Master Judge   .Ettore Donadeo’s journey in the world of wine is a testament to passion, dedication, and a deep cultural connection. Originally from Italy, Ettore Ettore Donadeo’s journey into the heart of Japan’s wine culture began in 2008, driven by an interest in Japanese…

WIA Ambassadors

Ivan Vellucci

 Ivan Vellucci  WIA Ambassador    Italy Ivan Vellucci is 53 years old, he writes for an online wine magazine. He is an engineer and a manager before being a sommelier. He works as marketing director in a high-profile automotive company in Italy in the luxury segment. He is a wine fan and…

WIA Ambassadors

Bubbles Hyland

Bubbles Hyland WIA Ambassador South Africa Bubbles Hyland was destined for the wine industry with the nickname she was given from birth! British born but now living in Cape Town for the past 17 years she has become an avid ambassador of South African wine. She formed Well Red Wine…

winery star guide

Become a WIA Ambassador

  • share your passion for wine
  • Gain greater global visibility
  • Be part of the WIA Community
  • Keep your audience engaged

Are you a Wine Leader?
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