Producers of the Year 2026

Picking up any medal at Sommelier Wine Awards is quite an achievement, so for a single producer to pick up several medals, with extra awards and trophies on top, deserves special recognition. these are the producers that put in a particularly strong performance in this year’s competition.

SPARKLING PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Winner: Champagne Palmer

Champagne faced stiff competition from English sparkling wine this year, with an Australian fizz also close to taking the top spot, but ultimately France’s globally celebrated fizz pulled this accolade out of the bag, courtesy of Champagne Palmer. And this was no flash in the pan, as all of Palmer’s entries received medals this year, crowned by the prestige vintage wine Grand Terriors 2015 achieving Champagne of the Year.

EUROPEAN PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Winner: CVNE

A traditional Rioja stalwart yet still a frequent medal winner, CVNE’s wines sung this year, landing the bodega two golds, one silver and one bronze, accounting for all its entries. And those golds were neatly spread between a red and a white, with the Imperial Gran Reserva 2017 and Monopole Clasico Reserva 2021 taking top spot, respectively. These were seamless and hugely enjoyable examples of why Rioja is a perennial favourite with trade and punter alike.

NEW WORLD PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Winner: Mulline Vintners

This Geelong-based estate in the south of Australia’s Victoria shone this year, with a gold, two silvers and four bronzes to its name, but there was more to come. Mulline’s Sutherlands Creek Pinot Noir 2022 swept up both Fine Red Wine of the Year and Joint Overall Wine of the Year, while the producer’s Syrah 2022 was awarded the accolade of Popular Pick Red Wine of the Year. A popular choice all round with our judges and a very worthy winner.

FORTIFIED PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Winner: Kopke Group Fine Wines

This beguiling Port house stood tall at the SWA judging tables, taking five golds and a silver in the Fortified category, in an outstanding testimony to the quality of its wines. Moreover, this producer also pulled in the accolade of Port of the Year for its Kopke Colheita Tawny 1987, which impressed for its incredible balance and complex palate.