Entering its 22nd year, the Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) remains the world’s largest wine competition, consistently delivering significant return for its entrants through enhanced brand recognition, increased sales, and access to new markets.
Entries for the 2025 competition are now open, offering exciting opportunities for producers to gain international acclaim.
The DWWA judging panel features 243 judges from 33 countries, including 61 Masters of Wine and 20 Master Sommeliers, all with expertise in wine buying, journalism, and hospitality.
“We’re immensely proud of our judging pool—a little United Nations of wine. If DWWA is the largest wine competition globally, our judges are a key reason,” said DWWA co-chair Andrew Jefford.
Returning for 2025 are five co-chairs, Sarah Jane Evans MW, Michael Hill Smith AM MW, Andrew Jefford, Ronan Sayburn MS, and Beth Willard, who ensure judging consistency and oversee the Best in Show and Top Value Gold awards.
For producers, a DWWA medal is more than a mark of quality; it’s a hallmark of excellence earned through a rigorous evaluation process that highlights only the finest wines.
For trade professionals and wine enthusiasts alike, DWWA’s results serve as a comprehensive buying guide to the world’s top wines.
“The top award winners at DWWA undergo an exceptionally rigorous process of tasting and retasting, so Decanter readers can have confidence in using these awards to help decide what to buy,” said Australian co-chair Michael Hill Smith AM MW.
“Decanter provides invaluable guidance to serious wine people about serious wines.”
Corey Ryan from Sons of Eden Wines, recipient of four platinum medals and two ‘Best in Show’ awards in recent years, shared how these accolades have elevated the brand’s prestige.
“Receiving a medal, particularly Platinum, in the DWWA has helped build our global sales profile,” he said.
“It provides us with instant credibility and opens doors when introducing the brand to new distributors, importers, and customers alike.”
Seeking distribution in the UK? Returning for its second year, the DWWA Market Guide is a Decanterrecommended buying guide for wine buyers, importers and distributors in the UK.
Medal winners can list their wines in this guide to fast-track conversations with interested buyers.
For 2025, DWWA has streamlined its sample logistics process for ease of entry. With improved consolidated shipping options and expanded sample drop-off points at leading trade fairs—including new collection hubs at Wine Paris & Vinexposium Paris and ProWein—participation is more accessible than ever.
For 2025, DWWA has streamlined its sample logistics process for ease of entry.
With improved consolidated shipping options and expanded drop-off points at global trade fairs —including new collection hubs at Wine Paris & Vinexposium Paris and ProWein —participation is more accessible than ever.
Key dates for DWWA 2025:
- 28 February 2025 – Consolidated shipping delivery deadline
- 18 March 2025 – Entry, payment and direct delivery deadline
- 6-17 May 2025 – DWWA 2025 judging
- 18 June 2025 – DWWA 2025 results announced on Decanter.com
