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Sergio Martínez recognized for the seventh time as ‘Best Fortified Winemaker in the World’

Posted on by Grupo iNova

INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE 2025

The current Cellar Master of Bodegas Lustau equals the record of his mentor, Manuel Lozano, keeping Lustau at the pinnacle of world winemaking.

Jerez, September 10, 2025. The historic Guildhall, one of the landmarks of the City of London, hosted last night’s gala dinner of the International Wine Challenge, where Sergio Martínez, winemaker and Cellar Master at Bodegas Lustau, once again received the award recognizing him as  ‘Best Fortified Winemaker in the World’.

 This marks the seventh time that Lustau’s current winemaker has received this prestigious honor, equaling the achievement of his mentor and former Cellar Master, Manuel Lozano, to whom Martínez dedicated heartfelt words of remembrance and admiration: “This recognition would not have been possible without the legacy of Manolo Lozano. He took me under his wing and taught me how to interpret what each wine needs to express and the secrets held within Lustau.”

Sergio Martínez (left) and Luis Luengo (right), Managing Director of Grupo Luis Caballero, at the awards ceremony in London.

Since taking over leadership at the winery in 2016, Sergio Martínez has borne the great responsibility of keeping Lustau at the forefront of global winemaking. “Thanks to our commitment to quality and the daily work we do at the winery, we have ensured that all our new ranges are awarded gold,” noted the San Fernando–born winemaker.

The late Manuel Lozano was also deeply present on this night of special category awards, as the organization decided to name one of the trophies after him. The Manuel Lozano Champion Fortified Wine 2025 also went to Lustau, awarded to its Amontillado Botaina Limited Edition 2025.

These two new special awards add to the extraordinary results achieved by Lustau in this year’s International Wine Challenge. The Jerez-based house once again stands as the most awarded Spanish winery and surpasses its own record: 4 Trophies and a total of 40 accolades, including 13 gold medals covering all its ranges.

Lustau’s excellence shone once again in its VORS collection, the most extensive in the Sherry region, which garnered gold for five of its six expressions. Also outstanding was the collection of specialties, including the iconic PX Murillo Centenario, first bottled in 1996 to celebrate the winery’s centenary.

Lustau – IWC 2025 Gold Medals
• Lustau Manzanilla Papirusa
• Lustau Pedro Ximénez San Emilio
• Lustau Almacenista Juan García Jarana Oloroso Pata de Gallina
• Lustau Almacenista González Obregón Oloroso del Puerto
• Lustau Pedro Ximénez Murillo Centenario
• Lustau Añada 1995
• Amontillado Botaina
• Irresistible Pedro Ximénez
• Lustau VORS Palo Cortado
• Lustau VORS Oloroso
• Lustau VORS Cream
• Lustau VORS Moscatel
• Lustau VORS Pedro Ximénez

These results consolidate Spain’s position on the international stage, ranking as the second country with the most gold medals (30 in total), 20 of which were awarded to Sherry wines, once again recognizing their exceptional quality and global projection.