The awards were made at the London International wine Trade Fair this week.
Atkin and Osborn join Su Birch, CEO of Wines of South Africa, as the first three winners of these 10 awards which are being presented throughout the year at events held around the world. Birch was the first to receive an award earlier this year ProWein.
Osborn joked: “I can’t believe I have won this award…I have never worked a day in my life, I am still making mudpies – there’s the same ingredients water, soil, sun makes grapes as well – so I think it is fantastic that I’ve won an award for still being a big kid”.
The panel of judges chose Osborn for his “unique combination of technical excellence and unbridled irreverence” which “is delightful to observe and fun to be part of”.
Atkin’s “willingness to challenge conventional wisdom while remaining the consummate professional is admired by many world-over” was the judges' justification for his award.
Atkin said: “I have been lucky to win a lot of awards in my life, but this one means the most to me because it is from people who are my peers and my colleagues.”
Atkin also included a rally to the UK wine industry: “It saddens me slightly that we have lost a bit of excitement [about wine] in this country. Let’s put the UK back in the centre of the wine world, not in the margins.”
The Wine Intelligence 10 for 10 Business Awards were created to mark the 10th anniversary of the founding of Wine Intelligence, which is now present in 20 countries. The awards are designed to celebrate individuals in the wine business around the world who have made a significant contribution to the success of the global wine industry over the past decade.
The next Wine Intelligence 10 for 10 Awards event will take place at Vinexpo in Hong Kong next Tuesday May 29.
