We are thrilled to have been named 2026 Italy Specialist of the Year (for a record 23rd time) and 2026 Educator of the Year (for the ninth time) at this week’s International Wine Challenge (IWC) awards.
For the Educator of the Year Award, the IWC commented that our team are "exemplary in hospitality training" with a "bespoke approach as well as broad range of hospitality training and courses".
Regarding the Italy Specialist of the Year Award, they noted that "whilst doing this for a long time they [Liberty Wines] continue to excel and celebrate the best of Italy and inspire their customers”.
These awards are always a highlight of our year, celebrating the very best of the UK wine trade and worldwide winemaking talent. Italy has been a cornerstone of our portfolio since our founding 29 years ago, and our education team works tirelessly, travelling across the UK every week, delivering training and WSET. These accolades are a testament to the hard work our team continually puts into delivering the best possible service, wines, and education for our customers.
Additionally, several of our producers received awards and trophies on the night.
Ed Carr of House of Arras was named ‘Sparkling Winemaker of the Year’ for the second time, having previously won the award in 2024. To date, Ed remains the only person outside of Europe to win this prestigious accolade, and the only man outside of Champagne. Ed’s win further reinforces our longstanding belief in the quality and breadth of Australian wine, something we look forward to sharing with our customers at our upcoming Australia Tasting.
Rare, Capezzana, Tolpuddle Vineyard, MMAD Vineyard and G.D. Vajra received nine Trophies between them.
Capezzana’s Vin Santo once again won the overall Champion Sweet Wine Trophy for the fourth time in a row (this year for the 2018 vintage), while Rare regained the coveted Champion Sparkling Wine Trophy for their 2012 Millésime in Magnum, which they had previously won for the 2008 vintage in 2024, 2023 and 2022.