Taylor’s Port has cemented its position within the UK’s hospitality scene through a new partnership with the creators of the Top 100 Sommeliers list. As part of the collaboration, the prestigious ranking will be renamed the Taylor’s Port Top 100 Sommeliers 2025, highlighting the fortified wine producer’s commitment to supporting top wine professionals and elevating its visibility within the on-trade.

Launched in May 2023, the Top 100 Sommeliers has quickly become a respected benchmark for excellence among the UK’s wine service community. Unlike traditional awards that focus on the scale of a wine list, this initiative celebrates hands-on expertise—placing emphasis on real-world responsibilities such as buying, floor service, staff training and wine education.

Lisa O’Donnell, who manages The Fladgate Partnership’s wines at Mentzendorff, said the collaboration is a natural extension of the Port house’s longstanding relationship with sommeliers. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to further strengthen our support by partnering with the Top 100 Sommeliers Initiative,” she commented.

A long-standing companion of fine dining

The new naming rights reflect more than just branding—it underscores Taylor’s legacy within the world of gastronomy. As O’Donnell noted, “Taylor’s Port is a trusted companion of the restaurant industry, enhancing curated tasting menus and rounding off exquisite dining experiences since the 17th century.”

The Port house views sommeliers as crucial ambassadors—recounting the stories behind each vintage and introducing fortified wines to a new generation of diners. The partnership not only strengthens Taylor’s reputation in the trade, but also reinforces the wider connection between wine and culinary storytelling.

This year’s winners will be announced at a formal awards ceremony in London in June, with Taylor’s Port joining a roster of existing partners that includes Saicho Drinks, Pere Ventura Cava, Bangi Wines, Gosset Champagne, and Hallgarten & Novum Wines.

Expanding horizons beyond Port

The partnership also comes at a time of strategic growth for Taylor’s, which has been actively diversifying its portfolio. Over the past 18 months, the company has made several notable acquisitions aimed at expanding beyond its traditional Port focus.

First came the purchase of Ideal Drinks, a Portuguese producer with a pan-regional presence and a strong portfolio of premium table wines. Then, in March 2023, Taylor’s acquired Quinta do Portal, a respected winery that also includes a modern bottling facility, extensive storage space, and a 16-room boutique hotel with a fine-dining restaurant.

These acquisitions mark Taylor’s intention to play a larger role in the broader Portuguese wine industry, bringing its established quality standards to the country’s still wine segment. Its expansion is also a clear signal that Taylor’s sees opportunity in pairing table wines with the same gastronomic prestige historically reserved for Port.

Supporting the future of hospitality

The Taylor’s Port Top 100 Sommeliers partnership aims to keep the brand front and centre in the UK’s competitive hospitality scene. With sommeliers often acting as gatekeepers between producer and consumer, Taylor’s sees them as vital collaborators in preserving and evolving the appreciation of fortified wine.

At a time when on-trade venues are recovering from economic pressures and evolving consumer expectations, this partnership serves as both a celebration and a statement of support. It recognises the people behind the scenes—those who guide diners through menus, select thoughtful pairings, and advocate for tradition with a modern twist.

For Taylor’s Port, 2025 won’t just be a year of awards—it will be a showcase of what collaboration between producers and sommeliers can look like when tradition meets innovation.