DWWA partyDWWA 2024 party highlights

Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) judging is officially complete, with 243 international judges having in the past two weeks assessed more than 18,000 wines.

To celebrate 21 years of judging DWWA threw a party, which brought together more than 200 industry experts, to raise a glass to another successful year.

Held at London’s Vinoteca City, the celebratory evening included live music, Bolney English fizz, fresh oysters, canapés, cocktails and beers from Amathus Drinks alongside a DWWA 2023 Platinum medal-winning showcase to enjoy.

The evening started with a welcome speech from DWWA Co-Chair Sarah Jane Evans MW who helped introduce the new DWWA Legacy Award – an award to recognise judges who have been involved in the competition for 15 years or longer. A special Legacy Award engraved Decanter was gifted to 47 judges in recognition of their service.

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Among them, we honoured the late Philip Tuck MW for his longstanding contribution and commitment.

‘For myself and for quite a few people in this room, becoming a Master of Wine only happened with Philip’s help. He was a really wonderful, penetrating and inspiring teacher. Since we all have glasses in our hands, and for everyone who’s celebrating 15 years, and for Philip – cheers,’ said Evans.

Find out results from this year’s judging on Wednesday 19th June on Decanter.com

DWWA Legacy Award Recipients

Alessandro Marchesan
Andrea Briccarello
Andrew Jefford
Andy Howard MW
Anthony Rose
Arabella Woodrow MW
Barbara Philip MW
Benjamin Llewelyn
Beverley Blanning MW
Dr Caroline Gilby MW
Christine Parkinson
Darrel Joseph
Dominique Vrigneau
Ed Adams MW
Ferran Centelles
Fiona McDonald
Gerd Stepp
Igor Sotric
Jim Budd
Justin Howard-Sneyd MW
Justin Knock MW
Keith Isaac MW
Luis Capitao
Marcel Orford-Williams
Matthew Wilkin MS
Matthieu Longuère MS
Michael Garner
Michael Hill Smith AM MW
Mike Ritchie MW
Nick Room
Nigel Wilkinson MS
Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW
Peter Richards MW
Philip Tuck MW
Pierre Mansour
Poh Tiong Ch’ng
Rebecca Palmer
Richard Baudains
Richard Mayson
Robert Gorjak
Roger Jones
Ronan Sayburn MS
Sarah Ahmed
Sarah Jane Evans MW
Simon Field MW
Stephen Brook
Tom Forrest

All eyes on Sarah Jane Evans MW as she gives a welcome speech and honours all long-standing judges who received the DWWA Legacy Award.

Dr Wojciech Bońkowski MW and Janet Dorozynski enjoying a glass of fizz kindly provided by English producer, Bolney Wine Estate.

Guests enjoyed delicious canapés freshly prepared by Vinoteca City.

From left to right: DWWA judge Alejandro Iglesias, Regional Chair for Argentina Paz Levinson and judge Florencia Gomez.

Live Spanish and Brazilian music from Giorgio Serci Guitar Duo.

DWWA judge Eddie McDougall (left) and Regional Chair for New Zealand, Cameron Douglas MS (right), celebrating with wine and Toast Brewing beers, kindly provided by Amathus.

From left to right: Michael Garner, Alessandra Piubello, Aldo Fiordelli, Angelo Sabbadin and Davide Buongiorno.

Long-standing judge and Regional Chair for Southwest & Rest of France, Dominique Vrigneau receiving his DWWA Legacy Award.

Never missing a chance to taste, judges sampled a selection of DWWA 2023 Platinum medal-winners all evening.

Cocktails were carefully prepared with spirits provided by Amathus Drinks. Spirits included Ferdinand's gin, D.Ulrich vermouth, Italian Grappa Marolo, Dolin Bitter de Chambéry and Michel Couvreur Taiwan malt whisky.

From left to right: Madeleine Stenwreth MW, Caro Maurer MW, Pedro Ballesteros Torres MW, Rod Smith MW and Frank Roeder MW.

The party was a great opportunity for DWWA judges and guests to reconcile and network with industry experts from around the world.

DWWA Judges Beverley Blanning MW and Laurent Richet MS cheers to another successful year of DWWA.

From left to right: Ben Chan, Lorraine Copes (Guest from Be Inclusive Hospitality), Shane Jones and Andrea Eby.

DWWA 2024 results will be announced Wednesday 19 June on Decanter.com

Loukia is Marketing Manager at Decanter, supporting Decanter’s awards and events in the UK and overseas, including Decanter World Wine Awards, Fine Wine Encounters, Decanter Masterclasses and Decanter’s international presence at trade fairs and events.

Loukia is currently a WSET Diploma student and has a MSc (Hons) in marketing. Her background is diverse with her study focus being in law before she discovered her love for wine. She previously completed an internship in a winery in Naoussa, northern Greece and she also has experience working in the spirits industry with UK specialist retailer Master of Malt.

Loukia loves learning and exploring more about wine and her favourite grape varieties and wines at the moment include Assyrtiko, red Burgundy and Xinomavro.