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Celebrating the UK’s best professional wine buyers

At London Wine Fair we strive to recognise the UK wine buyers who are shaping and driving our industry with the decisions they make daily. In 2020 we launched the first-ever Wine Buyers Awards – a competition designed to identify and reward excellence in wine buying, across all sectors. 

The Wine Buyers Awards provide recognition for the UK’s best professional wine buyers across the spectrum of the trade. They acknowledge buyers’ influence in creating trends, the value, quality, or pure innovation offered in their wine lists or ranges.

The awards are centred around a robust and credible judging process, headed up by Chris Losh - former editor of Imbibe, founder of Sommelier Wine Awards, former editor of Wine International, and shortlisted for Louis Roederer Feature Writer of the Year. He will be joined by a hand-picked panel of distinguished and experienced judges from the industry, including former senior group buyers.

By winning or being shortlisted you are demonstrating your career excellence, enhancing your venue or store’s reputation, and helping inspire the next generation of the industry.

Plus, NEW for 2024 we have introduced two team awards. Best on-trade buying team and best off-trade buying team of the year. 

KEY DATES Deadline for entries 12th January 2024 Shortlist revealed At LWF 2024 Launch Party, 27th February 2024 Awards Ceremony At LWF 2024, Centre Stage, 21st May 2024

Awards Categories

Best Wine Buying Team

Best Off-Trade Buying Team Best On-Trade Buying Team
In Partnership With Best On-Trade Buying Team sponsor

Supermarket & Multiple Awards

Supermarket & Multiple Wine Buyer
Sponsored By Supermarket & Multiple Wine Buyer sponsor

Online Specialist Wine Buyer Award

Online Specialist Wine Buyer

Independent Merchant Awards

Large Independent Merchant Wine Buyer (Multiple Venues – max 6) Small Independent Merchant Wine Buyer (Single Venue)
In Partnership With Large Independent Merchant Wine Buyer (Multiple Venues – max 6) sponsor

On-Trade Awards

On-Trade Wine Buyer (Single Venue) On-Trade Buyer (Multiple Venues)
In Partnership With On-Trade Wine Buyer (Single Venue) sponsor

Rising Star Wine Buyer Award

Rising Star Wine Buyer (Individual under 35 years)
In Partnership With Rising Star Wine Buyer (Individual under 35 years) sponsor

Overall Wine Buyer of the Year

Overall Wine Buyer of the Year

The Wine Buyer of the Year Award is chosen by our judges from all winners across each category and is the ultimate accolade for wine buyers

Judges