India Wines And Spirits Award 2025 Winners Unveiled At A Star-Studded Event

6^th October, Mumbai: The India Wines and Spirits Award (IWS Award),  the country’s most prestigious alcobev competition recently unveiled the winners of its 2025 edition in a glamorous ceremony. Conceptualised and founded by India’s first and only Master of Wine and top alcobev expert in the country, Sonal C Holland, the IWS Award have set the benchmark for excellence in the wine and spirits industry.

The 2025 Winners’ Night, hosted by Vinexposium in association with the Sonal Holland Academy at Taj Lands End, brought together the finest minds, brands, and changemakers shaping India’s evolving alcobev landscape

The seventh edition of the Awards featured 50+ categories across wine, sake, mead and spirits such as whisky, vodka, rum, gin, agave spirits, soju and liqueurs. The winners were chosen at the IWS Award 2025 Tasting Competition, held at Taj Lands End on 23^rd and 24^th October.

211 winners were selected in the competition, with 68 Best In Show, 86 Gold and 57 Silver awardees. The Best in Show winners- featuring labels that secured the highest scores in their category- included 41 wines, 24 spirits, two sakes and one mead.

The Winners’ Night brought together top leaders and key decision makers of the Indian alcobev industry to celebrate the best wines and spirits available in the market. The celebration rolled into a vibrant Networking Evening and Gala Dinner, where guests mingled with industry peers, rekindled old ties, and sparked new collaborations.

Speaking on curating the seventh successful edition of the awards in nine years, IWS Award Founder and ChairpersonSonal C Holland, MWsaid, “The Awards have now become one of the most anticipated nights in the alcobev industry. It is that rare moment in the year when all of us leaders, visionaries, and changemakers come together under one roof to recognise, reward, and celebrate excellence. In a country that hosts countless food awards, we stand apart with pride by celebrating the very best in wines and spirits. That makes what we do here rare, powerful, and deeply needed.

This year, as always, we received an outstanding array of nominations. I am especially encouraged to see producers and importers submitting bold new labels to the competition. Each year, this infuses the Awards with freshness, ambition, and renewed energy.”

Grace Ghazale, Overseas Events Director at Vinexposium, added,“This evening is about more than an award, it’s about celebrating a vibrant industry and the extraordinary people who drive it forward. I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Sonal Holland. Her vision and dedication have elevated these awards into more than just a competition; they have become a true benchmark of excellence for this entire industry”.

Sharing his thoughts on the impact of the awards on enhancing wine and dine experience,Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, Padma Shri Awardee, said,“It’s remarkable how the India Wines And Spirits Award are shining a spotlight on outstanding wines and spirits. These winners don’t just complement a great meal; they elevate the dining experience. I look forward to seeing them on menus across the country, enhancing the way India eats and celebrates.”

Atul Kasbekar, ace photographer and producer, remarked. “Mycongratulationsto the IWSA on a great event. Such accolades provide a great fillip to the rapidly maturing Indian wine and spirit industry.”

Here are some key highlights from the awards:

·         India Wines And Spirits Award recently held its seventh edition in nine years.

·         211 labels were bestowed with Best in Show, Gold and Silver awards across 50+ categories.

·         The India Wines And Spirits Award 2025 Winners’ Night was hosted by Vinexposium in association with Sonal Holland Academy.

·         The awards ceremony was attended by top leaders and decision-makers of the alcobev and hospitality industry.

·         Grace Ghazale, Overseas Events Director at Vinexposium, was the chief guest for the evening.

·         The ceremony was attended by 150 distinguished guests, including bureaucrats and top leaders from the alcobev, hospitality and luxury industries, and popular celebrities such as Chef Sanjeev Kapoor and photographer/producer Atul Kasbekar.

·         Former investment banker turned radio jockey, TV anchor, columnist, playwright, author, and media personality Anish Trivedi was the Master of Ceremonies for the awards night. His effortless charm and sharp elocution kept the audience entertained while steering the evening with ease.

IWS Award 2025 Best in Show Winners:

WINES

Best International Sparkling White Wine: Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Brut NV, France

Best International Sparkling White Wine: Lamborghini Brut Pinot Chardonnay Gold NV, Italy.

Best Indian Sparkling White Wine: Sula The Source Moscato NV

Best Indian Sparkling White Wine: Frizzano Extra Dry Sparkling Wine NV.

Best Sparkling Rosé Wine: Skinny Witch Rosé Prosecco NV, Italy

Best Indian White Wine Chenin Blanc: Grover Zampa Art Collection Chenin Blanc 2025

Best International White Wine Pinot Grigio: Golden Sparrow Pinot Grigio DOC 2021, Italy

Best International White Wine Sauvignon Blanc: Tiraki Sauvignon Blanc 2023, New Zealand

Best Indian White Wine Sauvignon Blanc:  KRSMA Estates Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Best International White Wine Chardonnay: Kumeu Village Chardonnay 2024, New Zealand

Best Indian White Wine Chardonnay: Sula Dindori Reserve Chardonnay 2024

Best White Wine Riesling: Schloss Vollrads Riesling Kabinett Trocken 2023, Germany

Best Indian White Wine Viognier: Soma Vine Village Viognier Reserve 2024

Best White Wine Indigenous: Berton Vineyards Metal Label The Vermentino 2022, Australia

Best International White Wine Blend: La Vieille Ferme Blanc 2022, France

Best International White Wine Blend:  Zenato Soave Classico DOC 2023, Italy

Best Indian White Wine Blend: Fratelli J'noon White 2023

Best International Rosé: Maset Euforia Cosecha Rosé 2022, Spain

Best Indian Rosé: Big Banyan Picker’s Hand Grenache 2025

Best Canned Wine: Fratelli TiLT Bubbly Rosé NV

Best Red Wine Pinot Noir: Tiraki Pinot Noir 2023, New Zealand

Best International Red Wine- Merlot:  Bush Ballad Merlot 2024, Australia

Best International Red Wine Shiraz: Nederburg The Winemasters Shiraz 2020, South Africa

Best Indian Red Wine- Syrah: Sula Rasa Syrah 2023

Best International Red Wine-Malbec: Rutini Colección Malbec 2022, Argentina

Best International Red Wine- Primitivo: Podere Don Cataldo Primitivo Salento IGT 2022, Italy

Best International Red Wine- Zinfandel: Ivory & Burt Old Vine Zinfandel 2021, USA

Best International Red Wine- Sangiovese: Donna Laura Alteo Chianti Riserva DOCG 2020, Italy

The Best International Red Wine- Cabernet Sauvignon: Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, USA

The Best International Red Wine- Cabernet Sauvignon: Metala William Formby Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Australia

Best Indian Red Wine- Cabernet Sauvignon: Big Banyan Limited Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Best International Red Wine- Montepulciano: Pasqua Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2022, Italy

Best International Red Wine- Indigenous: Parusso Barbera d'Alba Ornati DOC  2021, Italy

Best International Red Wine- Indigenous:  Viña Pomal Reserva Rioja 2016, Spain

 Best International Red Wine- Blend: Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2017, Italy

 Best International Red Wine- Blend: Metala Langhorne Creek White Label Shiraz Cabernet 2021, Australia

 Best International Red Wine- Blend: Vina San Pedro 'Sideral' 2019, Chile

The Best Indian Red Wine- Blend: Grover Zampa Chêne Grande Reserve Red 2022

The Best Indian Red Wine- Blend: Fratelli Sette 2023

Best International Dessert Wine: Dow's Fine Ruby Port NV, Portugal

Best Indian Dessert Wine: Grover Zampa Art Collection Late Harvest Chenin Blanc 2024

SAKE and MEAD

Best International Tokubetsu Junmai Sake: Tanaka 1789 X Chartier Vintage 2019 Tokubetsu Junmai-Miyagi Prefecture, Japan

Best International Junmai Diginjo Sake: Princess Marriage- Iku’s Shiro, Japan

Best Mead: HIK! Guava Mead

SPIRITS

Best Neutral Vodka: Haku The Japanese Craft Vodka, Japan

Best Neutral Vodka: U'Luvka Vodka, Poland

Best Flavoured Vodka: Stoli Salted Caramel, Latvia

Best International London Dry Gin: The Botanist Islay Dry Gin, UK

Best Indian London Dry Gin: Chambal Indian Dry Gin

Best Indian Contemporary Style Gin: Malhar Indian Craft Gin Citrus

Best International Tequila: Las Maracas Blanco, Mexico

Best Indian Agave Spirit: DesmondJi Ayam

Best International Aged Rum: Embargo Añejo Blanco, Costa Rica, Trinidad & Tobago and Martinique

Best Indian Dark Rum: Daku Gold Rum

Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky: The GlenJourneys, Scotland

Best Single Malt Scotch Whisky: Tamnavulin Double Cask Speyside Single Malt, Scotland

Best Indian Blended Malt Whisky: Mansion House Gold Barrel Whisky

Best International Irish Whiskey: Writers Tears Double Oak, Ireland

Best Japanese Blended Whisky: SHINOBU Blended Whisky Mizunara Oak Finish, Japan

Best Indian Blended Whisky: Singhasan

Best Indian Single Malt Whisky: Crazy Cock The Single Malt Whisky - Dhua

Best Indian Single Malt Whisky: Paul John Indian Single Malt Whisky PEDRO Ximénez

Best International Cognac: Meukow VSOP, France

Best International Brandy: Vecchia Romagna Classica, Italy

Best International Liqueur: Molinari Sambuca Extra, Italy

The Best Indian Liqueur: Teller Coffee Rum

Best International Soju: Chum Churum Original Soju, South Korea

Best Indian Speciality Spirit: Six Brothers Mahura

Click here and visit the India Wines And Spirits Award website to check out the list of Gold and Silver winners.

About the India Wines And Spirits Award

Founded by Sonal C Holland, MW, the India Wines And Spirits Award is the country’s most distinguished wines and spirits competition committed to recognising, rewarding and celebrating the country’s thriving alcobev landscape. In its ninth year now, the IWS Award has always ensured that the winning labels reflect the tastes and preferences of Indian consumers. The blind-tasting competition strictly adheres to global standards and invites some of the finest palates in the country to be a part of its jury panel. It creates the ultimate guide for Indian consumers to indulge in the best-in-class domestic and international wines and spirits labels available in the country while giving winning brands an enviable advantage in the marketplace.