Innovation Awards
True recognition from the industry
A true technology barometer for 45 years
The Innovation Awards competition recognises equipment, processes and services that are driving lasting changes in professional practices. Assessed between 1 July and 9 September by an independent jury bringing together the sector’s leading scientific and technical organisations (IFV, ISVV, INRAE, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, etc.), the 55 entries competing this year were judged against strict criteria: practical usefulness, economic viability, safety, ergonomics and environmental impact.
“The competition was tough. Today, it is no longer enough to present a good technical innovation: it must also meet other criteria, particularly workplace and user safety, as well as economic and environmental relevance. That is what makes the difference. In 2026, we received many strong entries, but the ones that stood out were those that best met this multi-criteria requirement.”
— Sébastien Cavaignac, Co-Chair of the Scientific and Technical Committee.
A panel of experts evaluating industry innovations
Projects are evaluated by a panel of experts bringing together the show’s Scientific and Technical Committee, according to a demanding set of criteria:
- Originality
- Usefulness for professionals
- Economic and environmental impact
- Safety
- Ergonomics
Applications are analyzed over several weeks, including checks and testing, in order to identify the most promising solutions for the industry.
Boosting visibility among industry professionals
The awards are organized around four categories:Cultivation, Processing, Packaging, Services & Market Access. They represent a true visibility accelerator for innovative companies.
Winners receive Gold, Silver or Bronze Trophies, symbols of recognition from the profession and a powerful commercial and marketing lever, thanks to exposure at the show and in specialized media.
For the 2026 edition, applications are open to all project leaders (registered and non-registered exhibitors), a unique opportunity to present innovations to key players in the sector.
The award ceremony will take place on December 1 during the exhibition, offering winners exceptional visibility among international professionals.
Applications for 2026 are now closed
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Who can apply?
Companies and organizations providing solutions for production, packaging and di...
Companies and organizations providing solutions for production, packaging and distribution within the wine-growing, arboriculture and vegetable production sectors, exhibiting (registered or not registered) at the next edition of the show. Start-ups are also eligible to apply. The innovative products or services presented must have a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7 or higher.
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What are the selection criteria?
To assess the innovations submitted, the jury relies on a precise evaluation fra...
To assess the innovations submitted, the jury relies on a precise evaluation framework. Each application is reviewed by three experts, under the supervision of a lead expert. The jury has two and a half months to deliver its decision, during which members carry out numerous checks: visits to the candidate company, equipment testing, consultation with expert advisors.
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Who are the experts on the Innovation Awards jury?
The selection of the best innovations is conducted by the Vinitech-Sifel Scienti...
The selection of the best innovations is conducted by the Vinitech-Sifel Scientific and Technical Committee, co-chaired by Sébastien Cavaignac and Christophe Riou.
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Why participate in the Innovation Awards?
All awarded companies benefit from a major commercial and marketing launchpad. ...
All awarded companies benefit from a major commercial and marketing launchpad. Their visibility at the show and promotion through Vinitech-Sifel communication channels and the press ensure strong exposure to investor visitors and national and international media. The Innovation Awards ceremony will take place on December 1, 2026, during the Vinitech-Sifel exhibition.
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AWARDS CEREMONY AND LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS
The official Innovation Awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday 1 December 2026 from 5pm in Hall 1 – Forum Area at Vinitech-Sifel, at the Bordeaux Exhibition Centre. The award-winning innovations will be available to see and test throughout the three days of the show, on exhibitors’ stands across the 5 sector areas, in real-life conditions on the 3,000 m² of dynamic demonstration space at the Techno Show, as well as at the heart of the International Start-up Village (30+ start-ups represented).