Jancis Robinson MW OBE has been named the recipient of the 2024 Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented at Vinexposium’s V d’Or by Julian Gore-Booth, IMW executive director and Patrick Schmitt MW, editor-in-chief of the drinks business.
The award acknowledges the substantial contribution of an individual to the global wine community, and recognises vision, determination and innovation. All recipients are considered to have materially contributed, not only to their own success, but to the greater world of wine.
Jancis Robinson MW OBE is internationally known for her contribution to the world of wine as a wine writer, critic and TV presenter amongst many other achievements in her colourful career which has spanned almost five decades.
On receiving the award, Jancis commented: “I can’t tell you how surprised and delighted I am to be honoured by my peers and to join such an array of wine stars, many of them old friends. I give sincere thanks to the amazing and supportive team at JancisRobinson.com who work so hard and so brilliantly, as well as my collaborators on all the books and at the Financial Times. And finally this award should of course be shared with my wonderful, long-suffering, growing family, not least my husband Nick Lander who has looked after me so well for 43 years. Here’s to many more women in wine being wholly recognised.”
This award was last presented in 2019 in Paris and was not awarded since the COVID-19 outbreak. The IMW is proud to continue to present this award alongside the drinks business at Wine Paris and Vinexpo as part of a long-standing friendship.
IMW Chair, Cathy van Zyl MW, shared her thoughts on Jancis’ achievement: “For many wine drinkers and professionals worldwide, Jancis is not only their most trusted source for tasting notes and scores, considered industry commentary and detailed referential material, she is their inspiration. An influencer before marketers coined the phrase, she has always been willing to share her knowledge in a manner that is relevant, engaging, and inspires passion.”