Vakkaru Maldives Wins Top Wine Award for Fifth Year Running

Saturday 28th of June 2025

Vakkaru Maldives has once again made its mark in the world of fine wine. Its European wine cellar, Vakkaru Reserve, has been awarded Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for the fifth year in a row — the only resort in the Maldives to achieve this distinction.

At the heart of the island, Vakkaru Reserve is a refined, intimate space that houses 620 handpicked labels. Led by Head Sommelier Retheesh Kakkareth Mohanan and Assistant Sommelier Vasantha Kumar Nadarajah, the collection blends classic names with meaningful vintages. Highlights include Château Cheval Blanc from 1983, 1985 and 1990, Château Mouton Rothschild Pauillac 2009, Krug Clos du Mesnil 2002, and Château Pavie 1982.

General Manager Teddy Susanto Wiryawan describes the cellar as a place that values thoughtfulness over quantity. “This fifth award is not a milestone,” he says, “but a reminder to keep listening — to winemakers, regions, and the guests who come here seeking something they can’t find elsewhere.”

Vakkaru Reserve offers more than just a menu. Guests can enjoy guided tastings, custom pairings, and the resort’s unique Wine & Chocolate Pairing Experience, featuring artisanal in-house chocolates paired with selected wines — like yuzu and matcha bonbons with Sauvignon Blanc or espresso bonbons with Tawny Port.

Vakkaru Reserve continues to be a destination for those who appreciate wine as memory, not just luxury.