IN BREVE
- Renzo Cotarella received the Winemakers’ Winemaker Award 2026 from the Institute of Masters of Wine during ProWein 2026.
- The award recognizes achievements in the field of winemaking and is granted by the Masters of Wine.
- Cotarella is the CEO and chief oenologist of Marchesi Antinori and has received various accolades throughout his career.
- Sarah Harrison praised Cotarella’s talents, while Patrick Schmitt highlighted his prestige within the winemaking community.
- The award was established in 2011, and previous winners include names such as Peter Sisseck and Anne-Claude Leflaive.
Renzo Cotarella receives the Winemakers’ Winemaker Award 2026 from the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW). The award was presented in Düsseldorf during ProWein 2026. Presenting the award to the Italian winemaker and manager were Patrick Schmitt MW, Sarah Harrison, executive director of the IMW, and Roderick Smith MW, chair of the institute.
The award is given annually by Masters of Wine who work as winemakers and by winners of previous editions. This recognition honors outstanding achievements in the field of winemaking.
RENZO COTARELLA, CEO AND CHIEF OENOLOGIST OF MARCHESI ANTINORI
Cotarella is the chief executive officer and chief oenologist of Marchesi Antinori, one of Italy’s most important wine companies. He was born in 1954 in Monterubiaglio, near Orvieto. He graduated in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Perugia in 1978, specializing in the study of soils and the relationship between terroir and grape varieties.
In 1981, he was appointed director and winemaker of Castello della Sala, the Antinori family’s Umbrian estate. In 1993, he became chief oenologist of Marchesi Antinori, then managing director in 1998 and CEO in 2005.
In addition to his activities in Italy, Cotarella oversees several of the Antinori group’s international projects, including Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in Napa Valley. He also oversees Col Solare Estate in Washington State. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards, including Wine Enthusiast’s Best Winemaker of the World in 2001 and Best Italian Winemaker awarded by Vinoway Selection in 2024.
RENZO COTARELLA’S COMMENT
“I am happy and deeply honored,” stated Renzo Cotarella, “both personally and on behalf of the Antinori team, to receive this prestigious award from the Institute of Masters of Wine. I consider it a testament to our commitment to producing wines that reflect the philosophy of the Masters of Wine. Furthermore, it is a privilege to see my name alongside some of the most important winemakers in recent history.”
Sarah Harrison, executive director of the IMW, commented: “Renzo’s combination of technical expertise, passion, leadership, and open-mindedness has helped shape quality wine in Italy. Moreover, he has also had an impact on an international level. He is a fully deserving winner of the Winemakers’ Winemaker Award 2026.”
THE INSTITUTE OF MASTERS OF WINE’S VERDICT
Patrick Schmitt MW added: “When looking at the list of Winemakers’ Winemaker Award winners, it is always hard to imagine who could join such prestigious company. However, in the case of Renzo Cotarella, the choice seems obvious. He is a figure as admired as the late Anne-Claude Leflaive, as respected as Paul Draper, and as innovative as Peter Sisseck.”
Rod Smith MW, chair of the Institute of Masters of Wine, emphasized: “Renzo embodies the rare balance between innovation and the stewardship of tradition that characterizes the great protagonists of oenology. An achievement he manages to attain on a global scale.”
PREVIOUS WINNERS OF THE WINEMAKERS’ WINEMAKER AWARD
The award was established in 2011 and over the years has been granted to some of the world’s most important winemakers:
2011 – Peter Sisseck
2012 – Peter Gago
2013 – Paul Draper
2014 – Anne-Claude Leflaive
2015 – Egon Müller
2016 – Álvaro Palacios
2017 – Eben Sadie
2018 – Jean-Claude Berrouet
2019 – Angelo Gaja
2022 – Jean-Louis Chave
2024 – Michael Brajkovich MW
2025 – Stephen Henschke
