Avignonesi Nominated For “European Winery Of The Year” In Wine Enthusiast’s 2026 Wine Star Awards

Italy’s largest fully biodynamic certified estate is recognized for its commitment to Montepulciano, responsible viticulture and a long-term vision for the future of wine.

Montepulciano, Italy – September 10th, 2026 – Avignonesi, a historic producer of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Italy’s largest fully biodynamically certified wine estate, has been nominated for European Winery of the Year in Wine Enthusiast’s 2026 Wine Star Awards. The annual awards celebrate the most influential members of the wine, spirits, and beverage world and the outstanding contributions they make to the industry.

As the sole Italian winery nominated in the European category, the recognition marks an important milestone for Avignonesi as a producer of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano D.O.C.G. and as an estate committed to responsible agriculture and long-term stewardship, demonstrating how responsible practices can be applied meaningfully at scale, while preserving the identity of its land and wines.

“To be nominated as European Winery of the Year is a tremendous honor, particularly because it recognizes a journey that has involved every part of Avignonesi,” says Matteo Giustiniani, CEO of Avignonesi. “Our ambition has always been to make wines that speak clearly of Montepulciano while continually questioning how we can farm better, understand our vineyards more precisely and leave this land in better condition for the future. This recognition belongs to the entire team and gives us even greater motivation to continue that work.”

Founded in the 1970s, Avignonesi played an important role in the modern development of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, with Sangiovese at the center of its identity. A transformative chapter began in 2009, when Virginie Saverys acquired the estate and initiated its conversion to organic and biodynamic agriculture. Today, Avignonesi encompasses more than 300 hectares, works exclusively with estate-grown grapes, and extends its commitment beyond the vineyard to biodiversity, community and responsible business practices. The estate became a Società Benefit in 2021 and a Certified B Corporation in 2022.

This philosophy extends from the vineyard to Le Capezzine, the estate’s historic agricultural center and contemporary hub for winemaking, hospitality and culture. Through extensive parcel-by-parcel study, Avignonesi has also increasingly focused on precise expressions of Sangiovese and Montepulciano’s diverse sites, combining the heritage of Vino Nobile with a contemporary emphasis on freshness, elegance and sense of place.

For Avignonesi, the nomination is also recognition of their dedication to thinking beyond the next vintage, from the conversion to biodynamic farming to a broader approach to responsible business. Rather than a culmination, it represents another step in the estate’s ongoing evolution and its commitment to ensuring that Montepulciano remains relevant, resilient and distinctive for generations to come.

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About Avignonesi

Founded in the 1970s and named after a noble Renaissance family from Montepulciano, Avignonesi unites Tuscan heritage with a model of conscious viticulture rooted in organic and biodynamic farming. At its core is Le Capezzine, a historic estate and former agricultural model farm where tradition, innovation and sustainability converge in support of long-term stewardship. Made exclusively from estate-grown fruit, Avignonesi wines are elegant expressions of their varieties and the diverse terroirs of Montepulciano.

About Wine Enthusiast

Wine Enthusiast Companies is the ultimate source of innovation and information around wine. Founded in 1979 by Adam and Sybil Strum, the family-owned company is composed of Wine Enthusiast Commerce and Wine Enthusiast Media. Wine Enthusiast Shop provides premium wine-lifestyle products, reaching millions of consumers globally via direct mail, an e-commerce site, and a business-to-business division. Wine Enthusiast magazine is an award-winning print publication and online resource that showcases wine news, food trends, and more than 25,000 ratings and reviews annually. Wine Enthusiast events include the annual premier Wine Star Awards gala. In 2024, the company launched a travel division, which includes the Tasting Room Directory and Cork+Compass Travel. Together, Wine Enthusiast Companies is the indisputable hub for everything wine. We bring wine to life.

About Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Star Awards

Each year, Wine Enthusiast celebrates the most influential members of the wine, spirits, and beverage world at the annual Wine Star Awards. This year marks the 27th anniversary of honoring the individuals and companies that make outstanding contributions to the industry. There are 16 categories for the 2026 Wine Star Awards. Four of the categories will have a named winner. The other 12 categories include a list of nominees exemplifying dedication and innovation to the success and growth of the wine, spirits, and beverage sector. The nominees were nominated by members of the Wine Enthusiast media team, including the global sales, events, marketing and editorial divisions. The 2026 Wine Star Award winners will be honored at the 27th annual black-tie gala in January 2027.