Decanter's award Winners 2026

Decanter's award Winners 2026

What: 12th Decanterjevi nagrajenci / Decanter's award winners

Where: Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia

When: Friday, October 2nd 2026

Text & Photo: Staša Bizjak, Milan Stojičević

The 12th edition of the Salon of Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA) medal winners took place on Friday, October 2nd, at the Brdo Congress Centre in Kranju, Slovenia. The event brought together more than 45 producers from Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, and France to showcase their medal-winning wines from DWWA 2026.

A special guest of this year's salon was Andrew Jefford, a British wine writer, long-time columnist for Decanter magazine, and one of the Co-Chairs of the DWWA judging panel.

Jefford is considered one of the most recognized contemporary wine authors. This year, he also received a lifetime achievement award from the Institute of Masters of Wine. At the event, he said that since he started, the quality of wines has changed drastically—for the better, of course. In the entire history of winemaking—which spans some 8,000 years—modern viticulture has, literally within a few decades, reached its peak of quality.

Slovenia's year

Slovenia had a lot to celebrate in 2026. The country received 202 medals in total, including two Platinum medals. One of those went to Steras, Refošk, Primorska 2024 (97 points), an outstanding example of this red variety from the Primorska region. The other Platinum medal was awarded to the Puklavec Family Laški rizling (Welschriesling) from 1993, a reminder that the country can make sweet wines that age gracefully.

Our TOP:

• Steras, Refošk, Primorska 2024, Slovenska Istra, Slovenia (Platinum, 97 points)

• Modra frankinja 2022, Martinčič, Dolenjska, Slovenia (Silver)

• Vranac stari podrum 2018, 13. Jul – Plantaže, Črna gora – Montenegro (Silver)

• Sauvignon 1909 prestige 2023, VK Metlika, Bela Krajina, Slovenia (Silver)

The DWWA 2026 Platinum and Gold medal winners from Slovenia:

• Steras, Refošk, Primorska 2024 (Platinum, 97 points)

• Puklavec Family Wines, Jeruzalem Ormož Spätlese Edition 2 Welschriesling, Štajerska Slovenija, Podravje 1993 (Platinum, 97 points)

• Kristancic, Artwork Red, Goriška Brda, Primorska 2021 (Gold, 96 points)

• Puklavec Family Wines, Seven Numbers Brut, Štajerska Slovenija, Podravje 2019 (Gold, 96 points)

• Radgonske Gorice, Zlata Radgonska Penina Brut Nature, Štajerska Slovenija, Podravje 2021 (Gold, 96 points)

• Bagueri, Superior Rebula, Goriška Brda, Primorska 2021 (Gold, 95 points)

• Bizjak, Rebula, Goriška Brda, Primorska 2025 (Gold, 95 points)

• Bjana, Blanc De Noirs Brut Nature, Goriška Brda, Primorska 2022 (Gold, 95 points)

• Bjana, Brut Zero, Goriška Brda, Primorska 2021 (Gold, 95 points)

• Guerila, Pinela, Vipavska Dolina, Primorska 2024 (Gold, 95 points)

• Guštin, Classic Malvazija, Vipavska Dolina, Primorska 2022 (Gold, 95 points)

• Nebo, Brda Selection Merlot, Goriška Brda, Primorska 2021 (Gold, 95 points)

• Ptujska Klet, Maximus Cuvée 777, Štajerska Slovenija, Podravje NV (Gold, 95 points)

• Zaro, Eazy Refošk, Slovenska Istra, Primorska 2023 (Gold, 95 points)

Beyond Slovenia

The wider Balkans had a strong year too. Croatia won 40 top-tier medals, among them its first Best in Show for a Plavac Mali. Serbia collected three Platinum and seven Gold medals, while Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina secured Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals.

Success for native grapes is a big part of the story. "I've long been a champion of them because they are so connected to place," said Dr Caroline Gilby MW, Regional Chair for the Balkans, Central & Eastern Europe and Croatia & Slovenia.

Visitor Information

For the professional public—hospitality professionals, sommeliers, wine merchants, distributors, importers, and other wine professionals—entry is free with prior online registration.

For other visitors, tickets are on sale online.

Special thanks to Robert Gorjak and Belvin Wine School. 

More: www.belvin.si