The WineGB 2026 Award winners have been unveiled today, just ahead of English Wine Week, revealing a shift in the UK wine landscape. The rise of unexpected grape varieties and emerging regions up the medal table signals a maturing industry that is increasingly confident, diverse and ambitious.
For the second year running, still wines surpassed sparkling in both entries and total medals, adding further credibility to the diverse portfolio of English and Welsh wine, and elevates the global reputation.
A total of 24 grape varieties earned medals, reflecting a wave of experimentation across England and Wales. Varieties once considered too marginal for the UK climate are now producing award‑winning wines, with judges recognising standout examples of Gamay (Gold and Silver), Cabaret Jura (Silver), Sauvignon Blanc (Silver and Bronze), Cabaret Cortis (Bronze) and Riesling (Bronze).
In the battle of the regions, Kent and Sussex retained their positions at the top of the gold‑medal table, the results point to a shifting regional map. Judges highlighted the western counties, particularly Hampshire and Dorset, as producing some of the competition’s most compelling wines, underscoring the growing influence of these regions.
Among still wines, Bacchus continued to shine, reinforcing its reputation as the UK’s signature aromatic white grape. Meanwhile, Chardonnay once again impressed across styles, alongside strong Pinot entries.
WineGB CEO Nicola Bates said: “What really stands out this year with these results is the sheer diversification of English and Welsh wine. We’re seeing producers push into new regions, experiment with a wider range of grape varieties and craft an ever‑broader spectrum of styles. It’s a sign of a sector growing in confidence and maturity and one that is no longer defined by a single region or approach, but by its creativity, adaptability and ambition.”
Co‑Chair Judge Susie Barrie MW added: “”What’s so exciting to see yet again this year is just how innovative the English and Welsh wine scene is, largely because producers aren’t bound by the same age-old rules and regulations of more traditional wine-producing regions. This year we tasted flor aged wines, rosé made from Gamay, and skin-contact Bacchus, to name just a few. It’s that innovation, allied to some seriously impressive wine-making across the board, that makes judging these awards such a thrilling experience.”
Fellow Co‑Chair Peter Richards MW noted the rapid evolution of the sector: “The diversity of wines on show is growing exponentially. That speaks to producers being ambitious and to consumers being increasingly willing to explore. Ten or twenty years ago, people expected English wine to be one thing from one place. Now it’s a whole panoply of possibilities.”
This year’s competition assessed 372 wines from across England and Wales, awarding 16% Gold, 45% Silver and 30% Bronze medals. Still wines won a total of 181 medals, versus sparkling at 158. The full set of medal winners can be viewed here with trophy winners being announced at the WineGB Conference and Awards ceremony on 16th July.
English Wine Week, which runs 20th-28th June, is a national initiative led by WineGB, highlighting the rapid growth of English wines and encourages people to discover the producers on their doorsteps. This year’s activity aligns with WineGB’s Create New Traditions campaign, inspiring consumers to enjoy English wine and build new rituals around local products.
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About WineGB
WineGB is the trade association for UK wine. We cultivate success for our 500 grower and producer members, which represents circa 70% of UK hectarage. We represent the industry to the Government, media, and trade. We provide our members with timely, accurate resources, to help their businesses grow, from guidance and toolkits, to training and marketing access. At the heart of our work, we help members to make, market and tell the story of UK wine. For the latest industry stats see the WineGB Industry Report