Sicily as “Region of the Year”, but not only: the “Wine Enthusiast Wine Stars Awards” 2026

Italian wine continues to shine in the United States, thanks in part to the many accolades that American critics bestow upon Italy wine industry. This is evident in the prestigious Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards 2026, for which the magazine has revealed the full list of winners. Among the awards already announced is the recognition of Sicily as “International Wine Region of the Year”, described by the American publication as a “land of unparalleled hospitality”. Once again, this award highlights the value of what has long been celebrated as a true “wine continent” and a mosaic of vineyards rooted in both the Mediterranean coastline and the volcanic soils of Mount Etna, from the Val di Noto to the province of Trapani. It is also a land distinguished by its extraordinary range of indigenous and international grape varieties. In just a few years, Sicily has experienced a remarkable wine “renaissance”, driven by a shared vision among its most forward-thinking producers, including the more than one hundred wineries united under Assovini Sicilia. The association, founded in 1998 through the vision of three great wine pioneers, Diego Planeta, Giacomo Rallo, and Lucio Tasca, and now led by Gabriella Favara, has helped shape this transformation. Furthermore, under the Sicilia DOC, the first major example of a regional denomination in Italy, Sicily has reaffirmed one of the strongest and most widely recognized brands in Italian wine. Alessio Planeta, president of the Sicilia DOC Consortium, welcomed the award as “a tremendous honor and a testament to the evolution of our wine region,” as well as “a source of great pride and an important opportunity to continue sharing the identity, quality, and energy of Sicilian wine with the world”.
But Sicily was not the only Italian success story. Two additional honors were awarded to Italy. One was the title of “Winemaker of the Year”, awarded to Paolo Saracco, the winemaker and producer whose winery in Castiglione Tinella helped revitalize Moscato d’Asti. According to critic Jeff Porter, Saracco sparked a “Moscato movement” that changed the way Americans drink wine. “He accomplished this from the top of a hill in Piedmont, guided by optimism and a belief in a single grape variety”.
Another notable recognition for Italy was the award for “Wine Importer of the Year”, presented to Ethica Wines, the U.S.-based importer of Italian wines led by ceo Francesco Ganz and backed by Isa-Istituto Atesino di Sviluppo, the investment arm of the Diocese of Trento. Ethica Wines works with renowned brands including Borgogno, Cafaggio, La Vis, Casanova di Neri, Fattoria Le Pupille, Ricasoli 1141, Ridolfi, Villa Buccia, and not only. “Ten years ago, Francesco Ganz believed that Italian wine deserved far more than a single line in an importer catalog. The category deserved a champion. Today, that conviction and dedication have earned Ethica Wines the 2026 Wine Star Award for Importer of the Year”, writes “Wine Enthusiast”.
Among the other award recipients, the “Lifetime Achievement Award” went to Jerry Lohr, the pioneering producer and iconic figure of Paso Robles, California. California also produced the “Wine Executive of the Year”, Karissa Kruse, ceo of Sonoma County Winegrowers. The title of “European Winery of the Year” was awarded to the renowned Champagne house Laurent-Perrier, while Laura Catena, head of Argentina Bodega Catena Zapata, was named “Innovator of the Year”.
All award winners will be honored on January 25th, 2027, during the Wine Star Awards Gala at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco.