The wines and vineyards that defined the 2026 WineGB Awards
This year’s WineGB Awards, held for the first time at 10 Union Street, London, proved UK wine is entering a new era – one of growing confidence and quality.
Every vintage tells a story, but the 2026 WineGB Awards, headline sponsored by Rankin Brothers and Sons, revealed something even bigger: the English and Welsh wine category has entered a new era.
From a near-perfect sparkling wine that scored 99 points to the awards’ first ever Best Cellar Door winners the ceremony on 16th July 2026 showcased the extraordinary diversity, maturity and ambition now defining our industry.
This year’s trophy winners reveal an industry that’s no longer defined solely by sparkling wine – although the category continues to reach extraordinary heights – but one that is growing in confidence and consistency in a range of styles, from world-class Chardonnay and Bacchus to expressions that highlight innovation in winemaking.
“The quality on display this year – was exceptional. Perhaps fuelled by some excellent recent vintages but also by the growing expertise and professionalism and experience and attention to detail that’s clear to see both in the vineyards and wineries across the land – and in the wines themselves. Tremendously positive.
There was a time when you felt like you could put UK wine in a neat box. No longer. There is now an ambition, diversity and an adventurous, almost swashbuckling nature to many wines that speaks of confidence in the craft and expressions of identity, and a willingness among drinkers to embrace that. A vibrant, growing sector feeds off excitement and buzz, so long may this continue.
Co-chair judge and host for the evening, Peter Richards MW
At the pinnacle stood one producer Langham Wine Estate, based in Dorset, which was crowned Supreme Champion and Best Producer for the second year running, alongside Best Sparkling Wine and Best Non-Vintage Sparkling Wine for its Corallian Classic Cuvée NV, which achieved an exceptional score of 99 points. Judges praised its “outstanding balance and layer upon layer of flavour”.
Another sparkling wine falling just short of a near perfect score was Hattingley Valley’s Kings Cuvée 2017 from Hampshire, which the judges awarded 98 points and the Best Aged/Vintage Cuvee trophy – highlighting it as “a very accomplished wine that shows great class”.
Trophy winners came from a range of vintages too, highlighting that no one particular year stood out among this year’s top entries.
Other sparkling wines that impressed the judges with 97 point scores included Kent’s Chapel Down Grand Reserve 2019, which took home the Classic Cuvee trophy and Best SWGB wine; Oastbrook Sparkling Rose 2018 from East Sussex received Best Rose, Fenny Castle Blanc de Noirs 2021 from Somerset Best Blanc De Noirs; and Woodchester Valley Blanc De Blancs 2019 from Gloucestershire Best Blanc de Noirs, while Hampshire’s Exton Park Blanc De Blancs Vintage 2013 took the trophy for Best Aged/Prestige wine.
DIVERSITY IN STILL WINEMAKING
Proving you don’t have to be based in the countryside to make good wine however, London urban winery Blackbook took home the Best Still Chardonnay and Best Still Wine trophies for its Pygmalion Chardonnay 2023. Scoring 97 points, the wine made from carefully sourced Essex fruit was praised as “an outstanding Chardonnay that fires the soul”.
Bacchus has often been described as England’s signature aromatic variety, but Kent producer Balfour Winery’s Liberty’s Bacchus 2025 showed just how sophisticated it has become. Awarded Best Still White (not Chardonnay) with 96 points and Highly Commended for Best SWGB wine, it impressed judges with its expressive aromatics balanced by remarkable restraint and texture.
Still rosé continues its evolution too. East Sussex producer Walgate’s Rosé 2023, winner of Best Still Rosé, demonstrated just how seriously producers are now treating the category. Elegant, gastronomic and richly structured, it was praised for its purity of fruit and refreshing finish, reflecting a move away from simple summer drinking towards rosés with genuine ageing potential.
Pinot Noir also continues its upward trajectory in England. Simpson’s Wine Estate secured Best Still Pinot Noir for its Rabbit Hole Pinot Noir 2024, a wine that beautifully captured the chalk soils of the North Downs. Judges highlighted its “bold and ambitious character”, reinforcing Kent’s growing reputation for producing world-class still Pinot Noir.
Innovation has always been central to English wine’s success, and nowhere was that more evident than Sandridge Barton’s Sonny NV, winner of the Still Innovation category for the second year running. The Devon-based producer has built a reputation for pushing boundaries while remaining rooted in quality winemaking. Sonny exemplified that philosophy, delighting judges with its originality without compromising balance or drinkability
Across the board, the winemaking prowess of two West Sussex producers also stood out.
Contract winemaking continues to play an increasingly important role in raising quality across the industry, with Wiston Estate recognised as Best Contract Winery after wines it made for clients collected a total of 14 medals.
Meanwhile, the Best Newcomer accolade went to Abingworth Vineyard, whose debut performance of one Gold and four Silver medals suggests a bright future for this West Sussex producer.
Regional awards once again demonstrated that excellence is flourishing across every corner of England and Wales. Flint Vineyard took top honours in the East, Hencote Estate represented the Midlands and North, Oastbrook Estates led the South East, Harrow & Hope claimed the Thames & Chilterns title, Langham Wine Estate won Wessex, Fenny Castle Vineyard represented the West, while in Wales the regional award was shared by Vale Vineyard (Gwinllan y Dyffryn) and Velfrey Vineyard.
BEYOND THE BOTTLE
For the first time, the awards also celebrated the people and places shaping the future of English and Welsh wine through our storytelling categories.
Sandridge Barton won for Innovative Label Design, while Adrian Franklin’s aerial shot of Mereworth Vineyard received the Photography Award.
With experience-led tourism and hospitality becoming an increasingly important part of the UK wine story two Kent producers stood out among the rest in our new cellar door categories – Westwell Wines picking up the award for Best Small Cellar Door and Chapel Down Best Large. Astley Vineyard and Hambledon Vineyard also received Highly Commended awards in the respective categories for creating engaging and authentic visitor experiences.
“It was such a privilege to see the passion behind all the entries and how so many cellar doors and creating new experiences and striving for such a high standard – every entry was truly a credit to putting British wines on the world stage.”
Cellar Door Judge, Joint Chair of the British Guild of Travel Writers Daniel James Clark.
Want to visit them or any other of this year’s winners? Search for them on WineGB’s UK Wine Map.