Inaugural

Next Gen International Wine Awards

Logo for Next Gen International Wine Awards with tagline Connecting Tradition to Tomorrow.

About

The Next Gen International Wine Awards is a first-of-its-kind competition created to help wineries understand, reach, and connect with the next generation of wine drinkers.

While most traditional competitions are judged by long-established industry professionals, this program is evaluated exclusively by wine experts under 39 — the winemakers, sommeliers, buyers, writers, and influencers who are actively shaping what younger consumers drink today and what they’ll be drinking tomorrow.

These rising industry leaders offer a fresh perspective on quality, authenticity, and value. They bring lived experience from the restaurants, tasting rooms, retail floors, and digital platforms where the next generation discovers wine. Their voices represent not just where the industry is headed — but where the modern consumer already is.

What Sets Us Apart

  • Two Pricing Tiers
      Wines are judged within two distinct market realities — the Classic Tier ($25 & under) where most younger consumers shop, and the Prestige Collection (above $25) where emerging collectors and young sommeliers look for elevated wines.
  • Judged Exclusively by Professionals Under 39
      Winemakers, Sommeliers, buyers, journalists, and influencers who reflect current and emerging tastes.
  • Diverse By Design
      Panels intentionally include a broad range of backgrounds, regions, and perspectives to reflect today's cultural and demographic landscape.
  • Future-Focused Structure
      Judges transition to alumni status at 39, ensuring the competition continually evolves and always reflects the next generation.
  • Optional Packaging & Design Awards
      Recognizes storytelling, sustainability, and visual appeal - all critical for younger consumers who often discover wine through shelf presence, social media, and brand identity.
  • Occasion-Based Awards
      Fun, real-world categories like Best Wine for a Party, Best Weeknight Wine, and Best Summer Wine, reflecting how younger audiences actually choose wine.
Five friends clinking wine glasses at a table by the sea at sunset, enjoying food and each others company.

The Awards

The Next Gen International Wine Awards features a modern award structure intentionally designed to reflect real consumer behavior, generational preferences, and clear market realities. Our awards help wineries understand how their wines resonate with younger drinkers while offering meaningful, marketable recognition across multiple dimensions of quality, value, style, and brand experience.

Core Award Levels

Next Gen Pinnacle Award
Next Gen Elite
Next Gen Gold
Next Gen Silver
Next Gen Bronze

Pricing Tier-Based Awards

Classic Tier ($25 & under)
Prestige Collection (Above $25)

Occasion-Based Awards (Classic Tier Only)

These fun, consumer-driven categories highlight how younger audiences actually select wine.

Best Wine to Bring to a Party
Best Weeknight Wine
Best Day - Drinking Wine

Packaging & Design Awards (Optional)

Recognizing the powerful role visual identity plays in discovery, storytelling, and social engagement, these awards honor:

Best Overall Package
Most Visually Compelling

Entry Fees

Our pricing structure is designed to keep the competition accessible while offering meaningful value, strong partner benefits, and incentives for wineries entering multiple wines.

Standard Entry Pricing

  • $80 per wine (Early Bird)
  • $90 per wine (Regular)

Applies to all wines entered in both the Classic Tier ($25 & Under) and the Prestige Collection (Above $25).

Volume Discounts

Packaging Awards (Optional Add-On)

Refunds & Substitutions

Association Sponsor Pricing

About Association Sponsorship

Official Rules

  • Deadlines

    The competition will be held August 25th and 26th. Entries will open in the Spring of 2026 and deadlines will be announced then.

    Email Contact@NextGenWineAwards.com 

  • Fees

    Early Bird Entry Fee: $80 per online entry.

    Regular Entry Fee: $90 per online entry.

  • Categories

    Please review this document for a complete list of all categories.
    Categories

  • Entries

    An official entry shall consist of four (4) bottles, each bottle no less than 750 ml in volume. For containers larger than 1 liter in volume, an official entry shall consist of two (2) units. An official entry of wines, such as dessert wines, that are bottled only in 375 ml bottles shall consist of six (6) bottles, each no less than 375 ml. If packaged in cans, please send 8 per entry.

    Entries must be submitted online. 

  • Labels

    Any wine that is delivered to the competition without a full and proper label will be disqualified from the judging. Please do not send wines with laboratory, temporary, photocopied, or altered labels. Please specify on the entry form how many gallons of wine were produced. A minimum of 100 gallons is required. This rule is to ensure that wines entered in the competition were produced for purchase by consumers.

  • Medals

    Please note that Next Gen Gold and above winners will be receiving medals automatically. Digital awards will be available on the website for all winners to use as they choose for individual award promotion. (websites, social media, advertising, etc.)

  • Legal

    Table, sparkling, fortified, fruit, and specialty wines produced in any wine-producing region of the world that meet the applicable federal legal requirements for sale in the United States are eligible for entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the competition take place?

Judging will take place August 25-26, 2026, in Sonoma County, CA.

When is the deadline to enter?

How much does it cost to enter?

How do I submit my entry?

Where do I send my wines?

How many bottles need to be sent per entry?

When will the winners be announced?

Who should I contact if I have more questions?

Woman smiling and holding a glass of wine at an outdoor gathering with friends in the background.

Cheers!

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