Our Story & Mission Statement

Since their inaugural year, The Golden Vines® have quickly and justifiably garnered a reputation as ‘the Oscars of fine wine’. An experience unlike any other, each year sees us descend on a city renowned for its food and wine culture for a weekend of unparalleled luxury, celebration, world-class entertainment, and Michelin-starred indulgence, attended by some of the most high-profile and influential figures in the business. 

Liquid Icons was founded in 2018 by two friends, Lewis Chester and Gérard Basset, built on a shared passion for fine wine and a desire to bring the best in the business to the wider world. This was initially embodied by The Golden Vines® Report which collated the opinions of almost 1000 industry professionals across 100 countries, with decades of collective experience, good taste and expertise, making it the largest and most diverse poll in the business. This unique process collates thousands of data points to form a comprehensive survey of the industry, as defined by those who truly live and breathe it.  As such, our recommendation has quickly become one of the most sought-after and respected accolades in the world of fine wine - a mark of genuine excellence and achievement. 

 With its foundations in The Golden Vines® Report, in 2021, to honour, celebrate and elevate the ‘best of the best’ in the world of fine wine and rare spirits, The Golden Vines® were born.

An experience unlike any other, The Golden Vines® is a spectacular three-day celebration recognizing the producers who deliver exceptional quality, as featured in the Report. During the three-day extravaganza, the Awards ceremony sees trophies given across multiple categories to those who consistently demonstrate true excellence in their field, from the best producers regionally to awards for innovation and sustainability and rare spirits, and - of course - our Hall of Fame award for those who have made an indelible mark upon the industry.  

 Connecting the foundations of Liquid Icons to the future, The Golden Vines® have a have a powerful philanthropic aspect looking to the future talent within the industry, with proceeds going to support the incredible work of The Gérard Basset Foundation. Established as a way to honour the extraordinary legacy of the late Gérard Basset OBE MS MW MBA OIV MSc ASI World Champion 2010, the Foundation has since raised over £3 million to support those from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds looking to forge a career in fine wine and hospitality through scholarships, mentoring, access and funding, allowing them to broaden their education and enhance their careers. 

As we look to the future, we are always looking at new ways to grow, give back and celebrate this industry we all care so deeply about. Our work and your support have a hugely positive impact, and we sincerely hope you can join us for what promises to be another incredible experience.

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