Jancis Robinson MW OBE has been named the recipient of the 2024 Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) Lifetime Achievement Award for her oustanding contribution to the world of wine spanning over five decades.
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.
In 1984, Jancis became the first person working outside of the wine trade to pass the Master of Wine exam. She has since published over 20 books, including essential wine guides and developed her now world-renowned eponymous wine website JancisRobinson.com. In 2003, she was ordained with the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Her Late Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II and personally advised her wine cellar.
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.”
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. Many have benefited from Jancis’ insightful comments about their business or the challenges facing them, others will remember how she helped direct their wine journey with a discrete word of encouragement or pragmatic advice. Regardless of who you are or what your relationship with the world of wine is, Jancis will have – in some way or form – influenced that.”
Previous recipients of this coveted award include Robert Mondavi, Marchese Piero Antinori, Jean-Michel Cazes, Baroness Phillipine de Rothschild, Hugo Johnson OBE, Miguel A. Torres and Paul Symington. Jancis becomes the third Master of Wine to receive the award after Olivier Humbrecht MW in 2012 and Mark Savage MW in 2016. Nominations are submitted by Masters of Wine and voted on by the membership.
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