Salon of Decanter Award Winners Held in Slovenia
The 12th edition of the event showcased prize-winning wines from across seven nations.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Wine
The 12th Salon of Decanter World Wine Awards took place at the Brdo Congress Centre in Slovenia. The event highlighted winning wines from producers across the Balkans and beyond following the 2026 awards.
Why it matters
The gathering provides a significant platform for regional producers to showcase both indigenous varieties and international grape styles to trade professionals and consumers.
Slovenia secured 202 total medals including two Platinum awards, while Serbia earned three Platinum and seven Gold honors. The event hosted over 45 producers from seven countries including Italy and France.
The players
Puklavec Family Wines
This wine producer achieved a Platinum medal for its 1993 Welschriesling during the 2026 awards.
Brdo Congress Centre
This facility serves as a prominent venue for major international gatherings and events in Slovenia.
The details
Producers from across Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, and France presented their acclaimed vintages to attendees. Notable winners included the 1993 Puklavec Family Wines Welschriesling, which claimed a Platinum medal.
Timeline
The Decanter World Wine Awards took place in 2026.
The Salon of Decanter medal winners occurred in October 2026.
Culture Shift
The event reflects a growing trend of highlighting regional Balkan winemaking excellence on the global stage. This move elevates the profile of indigenous grapes by connecting them directly with international trade audiences and collectors.
The salon allows attendees to sample and compare award-winning selections, offering guidance for future purchasing decisions. Enthusiasts can use the results to identify top-tier vintages that have been verified by global experts.
The takeaway
The recognition of older vintages like the 1993 Welschriesling highlights the aging potential of regional wines for collectors. Enthusiasts should look for medal-winning labels from the 2026 competition to guarantee high-quality selections.
Further reading
Discover more about the evolving landscape of global viticulture in our Wine section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Decanter.
