Top wine and spirit trophies presented at the IWSC 2020 awards ceremony

For the first time in its 51-year history, IWSC hosted its annual awards ceremony online, as a broadcast on YouTube Premieres. Hundreds tuned in around the world to watch the drinks industry’s top-performing people and producers crowned by presenters David Kermode and Joel Harrison (pictured above).

“This event is an occasion to celebrate, reward and recognise the great achievements made by all, both socially and commercially,” said IWSC CEO Christelle Guibert, introducing the awards from Ridgeview Wine Estate in Sussex, whose CEO Tamara Roberts is the 2020 IWSC president.

Among the headline winners were Australia’s Morris Wines, which took the title for overall wine producer of the year in recognition of its fortified wines, and Bellonnie & Bourdillon Successeurs of Martinique (pictured below), which won the corresponding spirits accolade for its premium rums.

It wasn’t just the event that went virtual this year – the IWSC also decided not to create physical trophies. Instead, the team felt it would be more appropriate to donate the money usually spent on the gongs to The Drinks Trust, in order to support the individuals most affected by the year’s events.

If you missed the premiere, you can catch up on all the action here.

Here is a rundown of all the awards presented:

• Sparkling Wine Producer: Langham Wine Estates, England
• White Wine Producer: La Cave des Vignerons de Pfaffenheim, France
• Red Wine Producer: Wolf Blass Wines, Australia
• Sweet Wine Producer: Peller Estates, Canada
• Fortified Wine Producer: Morris Wines, Australia
• Liqueur Producer: Mozart Distillery, Austria
• Brandy Producer: Château de Pellehaut, France
• UK Gin Producer, sponsored by The Gin Guild: 58 Gin, England
• International Gin Producer, sponsored by The Gin Guild: Four Pillars Distillery, Australia
• Vodka Producer, sponsored by Double Dutch: Stalinskaya, Romania
• Rum Producer, sponsored by William Grant & Sons: Bellonnie & Bourdillon Successeurs, Martinique
• Worldwide Whiskey Producer: Teerenpeli Brewery & Distillery, Finland
• Scotch Whisky Producer, sponsored by Forsyths: William Grant & Sons, Scotland
• Outstanding Spirit Producer, sponsored by Forsyths: Bellonnie & Bourdillon Successeurs, Martinique
• Outstanding Wine Producer: Morris Wines, Australia
• Lockdown Legend for Wine, sponsored by Waitrose: Berkmann Wine Cellars Cellars
• Lockdown Legend for Spirits: The Whisky Exchange
• Lockdown Legend for Hospitality, sponsored by Conzorzio Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobiadenne Superiore: 67 Pall Mall
• Spirits Communicator, sponsored by Chivas Brothers: Becky Paskin
• Wine Communicator, sponsored by Vinitaly: Elaine Chukan Brown

Over the coming weeks and months, all of these winners will be profiled on the IWSC website. In the meantime, head to our news pages to read our latest recommendations and trophy profiles.

And don’t forget: The IWSC 2021 opens for entries on Tuesday 24 November 2020.