Talent awards
CELEBRATING PEOPLE
The IWSC is more than a competition. It is a global wine and spirits community, focused on people and expertise.
It’s not just great wines and spirits that are rewarded at the IWSC – we also recognise outstanding individuals, through accolades such as our Wine and Spirits Communicators, and awards for Emerging Talent in the wine, spirit and hospitality industries, and the UK Sommelier of the Year competition.
How do our Talent awards work?
For our Talent awards, members of the wine and spirit industries are invited to submit nominations of personalities who they feel have stood head and shoulders above their peers over the last year - you can nominate either yourself or someone you know. Please fill out our application forms detailing information about yourself, your recent activity, your plans for the coming year, and why you should win. The winner is chosen following a panel discussion between previous winners of this accolade, as well as experts from the IWSC.
To nominate yourself or someone else for one of these awards, download the entry form for the corresponding awards listed below.
Wine Communicator Trophy
The Wine Communicator Trophy, sponsored by Vinitaly, recognises an individual whose communication skills make an exceptional contribution towards promoting and increasing public awareness of wine. Entries for our 2026 Wine Communicator Trophy will open in Summer 2025.
Spirits Communicator Trophy
Spirits Communicator Trophy, in partnership with Chivas Brothers, recognises an individual whose communication skills make an exceptional contribution towards promoting and increasing public awareness of spirits. Entries for our 2025 Spirits Communicator Trophy will open in summer 2025.
UK Sommelier of the Year
The Sommelier of the Year competition has long been a prestigious event in the hospitality industry, celebrating the talents and expertise of sommeliers across the UK. At the IWSC, we are proud of our continued commitment to fostering excellence and education within the wine, spirits, and hospitality industries. It is with great pleasure that we took ownership of the UK Sommelier of the Year Competition. We are working in partnership with the UK Sommelier Academy to host this annual event, celebrating and recognising the UK’s finest sommeliers.
Emerging Talent Awards
IWSC's Emerging Talent awards are an unparalleled opportunity for new and exciting voices in the wine, spirit and hospitality industries to gain exposure and recognition for their work. The 2025 entries are now open.