Andrew Jefford honoured with the 2026 Institute of Masters of Wine Lifetime Achievement Award
PARIS, FRANCE, 9 FEBRUARY 2026 — Andrew Jefford has been named the recipient of the 2026 Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) Lifetime Achievement Award in association with the drinks business. The award was presented at Vinexposium’s V d’Or awards ceremony by IMW executive director, Sarah Harrison, the drinks business editor-in-chief, Patrick Schmitt MW, and pop star and creative director of Kylie Minogue Wines, Kylie Minogue.
The award acknowledges the substantial contribution of an individual to the global wine community, and recognises vision, determination and innovation. All recipients are considered not only to be successful in themselves, but to have materially contributed to the advancement of the world of wine. On presenting the award, Kylie acknowledged Andrew Jefford as a personal inspiration and an incredible icon of the wine industry.
Jefford is an award-winning journalist, poet and internationally respected wine writer renowned for his insightful exploration of terroir and wine culture.
He grew up in Norfolk, England, and studied English at the University of Reading and the University of East Anglia, where he completed an MA with distinction. After starting his career in publishing, he began writing about wine in 1988, going on to author numerous books on wine, whisky, travel and perfume.
Jefford has written for major newspapers including The Evening Standard and The Financial Times, and contributes regular columns to Decanter magazine and The World of Fine Wine. He has also broadcast on BBC radio and served as senior research fellow and wine writer in residence at Adelaide University. Since 2010 he has lived with his family in the Languedoc region of southern France.
Among Jefford’s many accolades are eight Glenfiddich and Louis Roederer Awards. He currently serves as a co-chair of the Decanter World Wine Awards and is academic advisor to the Wine Scholar Guild.
On receiving the award, Andrew Jefford said: “The Institute of Masters of Wine is a unique academic institution, independently guarding an 8,000-year cultural tradition and ensuring its relevance in increasingly chaotic and abrasive times. Membership opens to the most talented, those able to pass its stern exams. Many of those I respect most deeply in the wine world are members; as a journalist, I’ve often admired and cited the research papers written by its successful candidates. In another life, I’d have a go—and almost certainly fail. So the idea that I’d be nominated for its Lifetime Award seems surreal; winning it doubly so. I’m thrilled.”
Sarah Harrison, added: “For more than 30 years Andrew’s writings have contributed to the canon of the wine industry. It takes great skill to write about the nuances of wine and to communicate so eloquently. To this day, his writing continues to educate, inform and inspire. Andrew is a very deserving recipient of this honour.”
Patrick Schmitt MW, said: “The world of alcoholic drinks is fortunate to have a talent like Andrew Jefford to articulate its many qualities with such originality and expressive power. He is not a writer defined by point scores or rote tasting notes, but one who responds, in a uniquely sensitive way, to the deeper glories of fine drinks—the landscapes that shape them and the people who bring them into being. He is also the author of several outstanding books, notably The New France, a seminal guide to French wine, and the first-rate educational work Andrew Jefford’s Wine Course.”
Rod Smith MW, IMW chair, added: “Andrew Jefford’s career has set an extraordinary benchmark for wine communication. Through his rich body of work, he has deepened global understanding of wine and its cultural importance. His beautiful haikus are also a delight. It is with great pride and pleasure we recognise his outstanding and lasting contribution with this Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Kylie Minogue said: I, like many, loved his book ‘Drinking with the Valkyries: Writings on Wine’, which provided great insights into the wine world with such charm and intelligence. Along with his many other books and writing for esteemed publications like Decanter, Andrew has long been an incredible icon of the wine industry and I am thrilled to announce Andrew Jefford as the winner of the 2026 IMW Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Recipients are nominated and voted on by Masters of Wine. Since its debut in 2005, some of the industry’s most respected contributors have been presented with the accolade:
2005 – Robert Mondavi
2007 – Marchese Piero Antinori
2011 – Jean-Michel Cazes
2012 – Olivier Humbrecht MW
2013 – Baroness Philippine de Rothschild
2015 – Hugh Johnson OBE
2016 – Mark Savage MW
2017 – Miguel A. Torres
2019 – Paul Symington
2024 – Jancis Robinson OBE MW
2025 – James Halliday AM
Images, logos and .docx release can be downloaded here.
Feature photo by Jon Wyand
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For more information visit: https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/
About the V d’Or awards
The world of wine and spirits is at the forefront of major present-day issues – including declining consumption, climate change, new consumption patterns and the loss of traditional expertise—which undermine its long-term future and its performance. However, many industry stakeholders across the globe are pouring their talent, their creativity and their ingenuity into producing inspiring and innovative solutions in a bid to create a future packed with promise for wines and spirits. Every year, the V d’Or awards celebrate these initiatives that creatively address challenges in the world of wine and spirits.
For more information visit: https://www.vinexposium.com/en/vdor/
Andrew Jefford expanded biography
Judging
Co-Chair Decanter World Wine Awards
Sample works
- Drinking With the Valkyries(2022; paperback ed. 2024; spoken word ed. — read by author 2025)
- Whisky Island(republished 2019)
- Andrew Jefford’s Wine Course(revised update 2016)
- The New France(2002)
- Columns in every issue of Decanter
- Columns in every issue of World of Fine Wine
Awards
- Roederer Awards International Columnist of the Year 2017
- Roederer Awards International Columnist of the Year 2016
- Roederer Awards Blogger of the Year 2012
- Roederer Awards International Wine Feature Writer of the Year 2011
- Roederer Awards International Wine Columnist of the Year 2010
- Best Drink Book 2010—Le Cordon Bleu World Food Media Awards (Andrew Jefford’s Wine Course)
- Finalist in the Arthur and Marjorie Goodchild Prize for Excellent English 2009, awarded by The Queen’s English Society
- Roederer Awards Wine Feature Writer of the Year 2008
- UK Guild of Food Writers Food Broadcast Award 2008
- Roederer Awards International Wine Writer of the Year 2007
- ATOP Travel Writer of the Year 2006 (travel writing)
- Roederer Awards International Wine Writer of the Year 2006
- Best Drink Journalist 2005 – Le Cordon Bleu World Food Media Awards
- Jasmine Awards Literary Award 2005 (writing on perfume)
- Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, Best Wine Literature Book 2004 (sic) (Peat Smoke and Spirit)
- Jasmine Awards Literary Award 2004 (writing on perfume)
- APA Magazine Awards Journalist of the Year 2003
- Lanson Awards Wine Book of the Year 2003 (The New France)
- Glenfiddich Trophy Winner 2003
- Glenfiddich Drink Writer of the Year 2003
- Veuve Clicquot USA Wine Book of the Year 2003 (The New France)
- André Simon Award 2003 (The New France)
- Symington Family Port Award 2003
- Glenfiddich Wine Writer of the Year 2002
- Lanson Award Broadcast Media 2002 (BBC Liquid Companion)
- Lanson Award Broadcast Media 2001 (BBC Liquid Companion)
- Glenfiddich Radio Broadcast of the Year 2001 (BBC Food Programme on Cork)
- International Wine & Spirit Competition Communicator of the Year 2001
- Lanson Awards Broadcast Media 2000 (BBC Food Programme and Nature’s Alchemists)
- Glenfiddich Drink Writer of the Year 2000
- British Guild of Beer Writers Beer Writer of the Year 1999
- Lanson Awards Broadcast Media 1999 (BBC Food Programme)
- Glenfiddich Wine Writer of the Year 1997
- Sony Bronze Award 1996 (BBC Liquid Companion)
- British Guild of Beer Writers Beer Writer of the Year 1995
- Premier Award of Wine Guild of Great Britain 1995
- Glenfiddich Whisky Writer of the Year 1995
- Glenfiddich Drink Writer of the Year 1995
- Bunch Award for Wine Journalism 1994
ENDS
For more information contact:
Laura Coles
Head of Marketing and Engagement
Institute of Masters of Wine
+44 (0)207 383 9136
lcoles@mastersofwine.org
Notes to editors:
About the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW)
The IMW is a membership organisation with an exceptional international reputation. For more than 70 years, its members—the Masters of Wine (MWs)—have been at the forefront of leadership and expertise in the world of wine. The IMW’s mission is to foster excellence, interaction and learning across all sectors of the global wine community. MWs prove their comprehensive understanding of wine by passing the MW exam, recognised worldwide for its rigour and exacting standards. In addition to passing the exam, members must sign the code of conduct before they are entitled to use the initials MW. This requires them to uphold the highest standards of commercial conduct within the industry. Today, there are 426 Masters of Wine working in 31 countries. The membership encompasses winemakers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, shippers, consultants, viticulturalists, academics, educators and more. There are 320 students from 46 countries in the 2025-26 MW study programme. The IMW works with 38 supporters and four research and industry associates, who help promote the IMW’s mission. The five principal supporters are Austrian Wine, AXA Millésimes, Champagne Bollinger, Constellation Brands and VSPT Wine Group. The IMW’s International Symposium is a highlight of the global wine calendar, bringing together leading figures from across the industry. The 11th International Symposium will take place in Adelaide, South Australia, in April 2027, offering four days of world-class tastings, thought-provoking presentations, debate and opportunities to explore Australia’s diverse wine regions. Find out more here: https://imwsymposium.com/