Blending fine tipples with generous philanthropy, the Golden Vines awards ceremony returns home to London for its landmark sixth edition.
Six years after its debut, The Golden Vines is returning to London, the city where it first uncorked its ambitions. From November 6th to 8th, this prestigious celebration of fine wine and rare spirits will once again take over the British capital, bringing together leading producers, collectors, sommeliers and hospitality figures for a three-day programme that has become as notable for its philanthropy as for the extraordinary expressions, from around the world, poured throughout the gathering.
Since its inaugural edition in 2021, The Golden Vines has visited Florence, Paris, Madrid and, most recently, Miami, cementing its reputation as ‘The Oscars of Fine Wine’. Its return to London will see the event unfold across some of the capital’s most distinguished venues, including the Old Bailey, where the inaugural Frédéric Panaïotis La Paulée will be hosted.
Inspired by a traditional Burgundian harvest feast, La Paulée celebrates the convivial ritual of renowned winemakers, collectors and enthusiasts sharing exceptional bottles around a single table. This version has been named in tribute to the late Ruinart cellar master who, following nearly two decades as chef de cave at Ruinart Champagne, lost his life in a freediving accident last year.
Elsewhere, over the three days, guests will take part in exclusive masterclasses, private lunches with winemakers and curated tasting experiences, all activities replete with opportunities to discover (and acquire) some of the rarest wines on the planet. The weekend culminates with the Golden Vines Awards Gala, where acclaimed British chef Simon Rogan—whose Cumbrian restaurant L’Enclume holds three Michelin stars—will oversee a culinary experience that can hold its own alongside bottles few collectors ever encounter outside the world’s greatest cellars (Krug and Dom Pérignon will be poured, alongside Château d’Yquem, Château Lafite Rothschild, Screaming Eagle, Sassicaia, Egon Müller, Penfolds Grange and expressions from other vinous royalty).
As well as attracting an eclectic mix of leading winemakers, top collectors and ultra-high-net-worth individuals from around the globe, the event has never lacked star power. Ronan Keating and his wife Storm have hosted in the past, while Kylie Minogue performed at the inaugural Golden Vines Awards in 2021, at Annabel’s in London—making it one of the world’s most coveted invitations.
Beneath the laughter, glam factor and extraordinary pours, though, lies the event’s real purpose. Conceived by Liquid Icons, the fine wine research and content group founded by Lewis Chester DipWSET and the late Gérard Basset OBE MS MW (who, uniquely, held both Master Sommelier and Master of Wine qualifications while winning the ASI World’s Best Sommelier title), The Golden Vines is first and foremost a fundraising platform for the foundation named after the latter.
All proceeds from the event (including those from a charity auction with lots ranging from private vineyard visits and exclusive cellar tastings to rare bottles donated by some of the world’s leading vignerons) go to a foundation which has supported nearly 1,600 beneficiaries across more than 35 countries. To date, the Golden Vines has helped raise more than €5.27 million to fund scholarships, grants, educational programmes and work placements for aspiring wine and hospitality professionals, many from underrepresented backgrounds.
Golden Vines winners, meanwhile —across categories including World’s Best Fine Wine Producer, World’s Best Rising Star and World’s Best Rare Spirit Brand —are determined by members of The Golden Vines Academy, an invitationonly international body of qualified wine professionals whose expertise and experience ensure the integrity of the judging processes. “Over the past six years, Golden Vines has evolved into one of the most influential gatherings in fine wine, bringing together leading figures from across the globe,” says Lewis Chester, co-founder and CEO of Liquid Icons. “This year’s programme is our most ambitious yet, celebrating excellence while championing the values of community, education and philanthropy that continue to define The Golden Vines.”
Tickets are priced at around €11,700 per guest (including masterclasses, private experiences and access to some of the world’s greatest producers) and can be booked online via liquidicons.com/the-golden-vines
