The MICHELIN Guide Introduces MICHELIN Grapes
The MICHELIN Guide is expanding its reach beyond restaurants and hotels with the introduction of MICHELIN Grapes, a new global distinction designed to highlight exceptional wine estates. The program will officially debut in 2026, starting in Burgundy and Bordeaux—two of France’s most emblematic wine regions.
The move marks the latest evolution for the Guide, which has spent 125 years defining excellence in gastronomy. While MICHELIN Stars and the recently added MICHELIN Keys focus on dining and hospitality, the new distinction will spotlight the producers behind the wines that shape culinary culture.
Recognizing More Than the Wine
The MICHELIN Guide has gradually increased its focus on wine over the past two decades. It introduced a wine pictogram in 2004 to signal standout pairings and added the MICHELIN Sommelier Award in 2019 to recognize professionals elevating the guest experience.
MICHELIN Grapes takes that commitment a step further by honoring vineyards themselves. The Guide says the new award will emphasize not only the quality of the wine but the expertise, heritage, and innovation of the people who make it.
Estates will be ranked on a four-tier scale: One, Two, or Three Grapes, plus a “Selected” category for trusted, well-made wines. Three-Grape estates will represent the highest level of excellence—producers that deliver reliably exceptional wines across vintages.
How Estates Will Be Evaluated
Selections will be based on five core criteria:
Agronomy: soil vitality, vine health, and overall vineyard care
Technical mastery: precision and rigor in the winemaking process
Identity: the wine’s ability to express its terroir and culture
Balance: harmony among acidity, tannins, alcohol, oak, and sweetness
Consistency: quality sustained across multiple vintages
Evaluations will be carried out by a team of full-time MICHELIN wine Inspectors, including former sommeliers, critics, and production specialists. The organization says inspectors will work anonymously and independently, using a panel review system similar to that used for restaurants and hotels.
The first selections will focus on Burgundy and Bordeaux, two regions chosen for their global influence and contrasting winemaking philosophies.
Bordeaux, one of the world’s most recognized wine regions, is known for its historic châteaux, large-scale estates, and international prestige. Burgundy, by contrast, is rooted in small, family-run domaines where meticulous attention to terroir defines production. Together, the regions offer a broad spectrum of French winemaking heritage.
A New Reference Point for Wine Lovers
With MICHELIN Grapes, the Guide aims to offer consumers a trusted new benchmark—one that simplifies the search for high-quality producers while elevating the work of winemakers worldwide.
The first MICHELIN Grapes selections are expected to be published in 2026.
