Awards are more than trophies. They reflect changing consumer expectations and signal where an industry is headed.

This week, those expectations were made clear when Zeronimo was named Best Non-Alcoholic Wine in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards 2026. Following a nomination by a panel of wine and beverage experts, readers across the United States voted Zeronimo to the top of a highly competitive field, ahead of some of the most established names in the premium alcohol-free wine category.

For the Zeronimo team, this recognition is a testament to their unwavering commitment to quality. Founded by Austrian winemakers Katja Bernegger and Patrick Bayer, the brand has challenged the perception that alcohol-free wine requires compromise. Instead, Zeronimo begins with exceptional wines, including Leonis Blend, crafted from a wine awarded 98 points, and Century Blend, produced from a wine aged for 22 years, demonstrating that outstanding alcohol-free wines start with outstanding wines. Combined with meticulous craftsmanship and a relentless focus on excellence, this philosophy has enabled Zeronimo to create alcohol-free wines that stand alongside the very best.

"This award is a wonderful recognition of our team's dedication to crafting exceptional alcohol-free wines," said Katja Bernegger, Co-Founder of Zeronimo. "From the very beginning, our goal has been to show that removing alcohol should never mean compromising on quality. We are grateful to everyone who voted for us and proud to share this milestone with partners like Solos, who have supported our vision from the start."

At Solos, we are proud to be part of that journey. Through our collaboration with Zeronimo and our advanced dealcoholization technology, we have had the privilege of supporting the creation of premium alcohol-free wines that preserve the character, aroma and complexity of the original wine. Partnerships like this are at the heart of our mission to help wineries produce exceptional dealcoholized wines without compromising quality.

This award is not only a remarkable achievement for Zeronimo. It is another clear sign that the alcohol-free wine category has entered a new era. Consumers are no longer looking simply for an alternative to wine. They are looking for exceptional wines, regardless of alcohol content.

"Seeing Zeronimo receive this recognition is incredibly rewarding," said Claudia Geyer, Founder & CTO of Solos. "Our collaboration has always been driven by a shared commitment to quality and innovation. Awards like this show what is possible when exceptional winemaking and advanced dealcoholization technology come together."

As demand for premium alcohol-free wines continues to grow, achievements like this highlight what is possible through collaboration, innovation and an uncompromising commitment to quality. We congratulate Katja, Patrick and the entire Zeronimo team on this well-deserved achievement and look forward to continuing our collaboration as the premium alcohol-free wine category reaches new heights.