Drinks Business Awards 2025: the full shortlist unveiled

Celebrating brilliance across the global drinks trade, the Drinks Business Awards return for 2025 with a crop of remarkable finalists. From pioneering packaging to PR excellence, these are the names shaping the industry's future. As anticipation builds for the Drinks Business Awards ceremony, to be held at the London Wine Fair on Tuesday 20 May, we are pleased to reveal this year’s shortlist. Recognising outstanding achievement across the trade, the awards honour excellence in marketing, design, logistics, retail, distribution and more. Each finalist has been rigorously assessed by a panel of judges across the drinks world. Their collective expertise has shaped the shortlists below, representing the very best and most dynamic players in the industry today.

The 2025 judging panel

• Alex Canetti
• Andrew Shaw
• Anita Jackson
• Anne Jones
• Ben Smith
• Chris Stroud
• Eloise Feilden
• Emily Brighton MW
• Emma Dawson MW
• Fiona Campbell
• Jane Masters MW
• Laura Jewell MW
• Louis Thomas
• Michael Huband
• Nick Martin
• Nicky Burston
• Patrick Schmitt MW
• Queena Wong
• Richard Dennis
• Rob Hollands
• Sarah Benson MW

Retail buying team of the year (sponsored by Watermill Wines)

• Majestic Wines
• Ocado Retail
• Virgin Wines

Logistics company of the year

• Hillebrand Gori
• vinYard Logistics
• Vinlog by Kuehne+Nagel

PR company of the year

• Clarion Communications
• Cube Communications
• Spritz
• Stir
• Sunny Side Up

Online retailer of the year

• DrinkSupermarket
• Laithwaites
• Ocado Retail
• Paneco Singapore
• The Whisky Exchange
• Virgin Wines

On-trade supplier of the year

• Hallgarten & Novum Wines
• Majestic Commercial
• Speciality Drinks

The O-I: Expressions award for best design and packaging (wine)

• Catena Zapata for The Birth of Cabernet
• Mullet by Denomination
• Nicole Oatley Wines by Denomination
• La Petite Victoire Non Alcoholic by Stranger and Stranger

The O-I: Expressions award for best design and packaging (spirits)

• Barenjager Honey Liqueur by Stranger and Stranger
• Cape Hauy Single Malt Whisky by Denomination
• Fielden Whisky Gift Box
• The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show 2025 Show Bottlings

Trade campaign of the year

• Chelsea & Co, in partnership with D.O. Jerez-Xérès-Sherry, for Cream Sherry Sunset – Grandma Was Right
• Cube Communications for Wine Victoria
• Slam Communications for Alsace Wines
• The Drinks Trust for Face It Together

Best social media campaign

• Chelsea & Co for International #SherryWeek
• Island Media for Just One Bottle with Wines of Ukraine
• McBride Sisters for Escape with Flavor / Seaside Escape
• Mouton Cadet in Paris

Best drinks event

• Sustainability in Drinks
• The Whisky Exchange for Welcome to Whisky
• The Bordeaux Experience
• The Berlin Tasting: 20th Anniversary Celebration
• World Class Shanghai

Consumer campaign of the year

• Come Over October
• Cune, the Ambassadors of Spanish Wine
• Graham Norton's Grape Escape to New Zealand with Invivo
• Italicus Rosolio Day

Best launch

• London Cru and the Financial Times for Fearless Pink
• Mouton Cadet Fresh Collection in the USA
• Virgin Wines x Ocado

In addition to the above categories, winners in the following coveted areas will be revealed live at the ceremony:

• Man of the Year
• Woman of the Year
• Young Achiever of the Year
• Retail Buyer of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement
• Drinks Company of the Year
• Distribution Company of the Year
• Supply Chain Initiative of the Year
• Multiple Retailer of the Year
• Independent Retailer of the Year
• Fine Wine Retailer of the Year
• Travel Retail Operator of the Year
• Contribution to Drinks Tourism
• Best Wine Storage Company

If you wish to attend this year’s event, please register your interest by emailing charlotte.pike@unionpress.co.uk.