Sustainability Prize winners in Belgium 2025

Krister Bengtsson, on behalf of Vrijmoed, with Puike Wijnen’s Karin Brunia. Photo by Guido Pijper.

On the second stop of our 2025/’26 tour, we visited Rotterdam to present Gold Stars to the best wine lists in Belgium and the Netherlands at Zalmhuis restaurant. This is the winner of our Sustainability Prize in Belgium.

Star Wine List of the Year is a celebration of the world’s best wine lists. Without question, one of the greatest challenges for the sommeliers creating those lists today lies in ensuring that their wine programs and restaurant operations adhere to sustainable principles.

The competition’s Sustainability Prize requires each entrant to complete a detailed questionnaire outlining their practices, thus assessing their overall commitment to sustainability. For Belgium, the Gold Star goes to Vrijmoed, Ghent, for its “great vision and approach.”

This category was supported in Belgium and the Netherlands by Puike Wijnen, a boutique importer working “directly with winemakers who cultivate their vineyards with love and care – often biodynamically or at least sustainably, always authentic,” according to owner Karin Brunia. “No bulk or mass production, but wines that are vibrant, pure, and full of character. Wines you'll enjoy and remember.”

Karin has been excited by the “energy” of sommeliers across both countries of late. “You see young sommeliers and restaurateurs daring to choose exciting wines, with a greater focus on terroir, sustainability, and drinking pleasure. There's an openness to new regions and styles – and that makes this market dynamic and inspiring.”

Puike Wijnen’s support of this category is based on the fact that “sustainability isn't a trend, but a necessity. Vineyards are vulnerable, and winemakers who invest in healthy soils and biodiversity are making a difference for the future. By rewarding this, you encourage others to take the same step – and you’ll ultimately taste the difference in better wines.”

Vrijmoed now goes into the Star Wine List of the Year International Final, to compete against the tour’s Sustainability Prize winners across the world. The global winners will be announced in June 2026.

Explore the full list of winners in Belgium and the Netherlands and our guide to the countries’ Gold Star winners.

Gold Star

Vrijmoed, Ghent

Judges’ comments:
“A great vision and approach to sustainability, including the use of a digital list. Moreover, the respect paid to each and every producer they work with is simply amazing.”
– Toru Takamatsu MS