Spanish winemakers honored at International Wine Challenge

Spanish winemakers received major honors at the International Wine Challenge (IWC) annual awards ceremony held in London.

Javier Martínez de Salinas, the technical director of Grupo Bodegas Olarra, was named the IWC Red Winemaker of the Year 2026. The award coincides with his retirement following nearly three decades of leadership at the Rioja-based group. Martínez de Salinas emphasized the importance of combining natural elements like soil and climate with human expertise and precision in viticulture.

Sergio Martínez of Bodegas Lustau achieved a historic milestone by being named the world’s best fortified wine winemaker for the eighth time. This achievement makes him the first professional to reach eight titles in this specific category at the IWC, surpassing the previous record of seven held by his predecessor, Manuel Lozano. The recognition highlights the quality and style of wines from the Jerez region.