The wines and vineyards that defined the 2026 WineGB Awards.
The 2026 WineGB Awards – held for the first time at 10 Union Street, London – have confirmed a decisive shift in the trajectory of English and Welsh wine. Confidence, diversity and technical mastery were the defining themes of this year’s results, with judges praising an industry that has “outgrown the box” and is now producing wines of world class calibre across multiple styles.
A landmark year for quality
Langham Wine Estate (Dorset) dominated the podium for the second consecutive year, securing Supreme Champion, Best Producer, Best Sparkling Wine, and Best Non Vintage Sparkling Wine for its Corallian Classic Cuvée NV, which achieved an extraordinary 99 points. Judges celebrated its “outstanding balance and layer upon layer of flavour,” marking it as one of the highest scoring wines in the history of the competition.
Hattingley Valley’s Kings Cuvée 2017 (Hampshire) followed closely with 98 points and the Best Aged/Vintage Cuvée trophy, praised as “a very accomplished wine that shows great class.”
Still wines: a category coming of age
This year’s results underline a major evolution in still winemaking, with standout performances across Chardonnay, Bacchus, rosé and Pinot Noir.
Blackbook Winery (London) took Best Still Chardonnay and Best Still Wine for Pygmalion Chardonnay 2023 (97 points), described as “an outstanding Chardonnay that fires the soul.”
Balfour Winery Liberty’s Bacchus 2025 earned Best Still White (not Chardonnay) with 96 points, showcasing the growing sophistication of England’s signature aromatic variety.
Producers to watch: contract winemaking and newcomers
West Sussex stood out for technical excellence, with Wiston Estate named Best Contract Winery, with client wines earning 14 medals and Abingworth Vineyard was awarded Best Newcomer, achieving one Gold and four Silver medals in its debut year.
Regional champions demonstrated the breadth of quality across England and Wales, from Flint Vineyard in the East to Vale Vineyard and Velfrey Vineyard in Wales.
Co chair judge Peter Richards MW and host for the awards ceremony, summed up the mood of the evening: “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 adventurous nature to many wines that speaks of confidence in the craft. The 2026 WineGB Awards confirm that English and Welsh wine is not only maturing – it is thriving, innovating and earning its place on the world stage.”
A thanks to our headline sponsor for the awards ceremony, Rankin Brothers & Sons and all the trophy sponsors – Mayo Wynne Baxter, Croxsons, Enartis, Between the Vines, Harpers, LCB, The Pig, NFU Mutual, A.E. Chapman, Vetreria Etrusca, Boxes & Packaging, Riedel and Oak Creative.
Pictured: Langham Wine Estate (Dorset) dominated the podium for the second consecutive year, securing Supreme Champion, Best Producer, Best Sparkling Wine, and Best Non Vintage Sparkling Wine
