Vakkaru Maldives Wine Cellar Wins Fifth Global Award

Quiet Luxury, Poured by the Glass

For those who seek travel that speaks in subtle notes instead of loud flexes, the Vakkaru Maldives wine cellar might just be your next obsession.

Set in the heart of the dreamy Baa Atoll, Vakkaru Reserve has just clinched its fifth Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence and if you’re the type who vibes with slow living and curated taste, this win is a whole mood.


What Makes Vakkaru Reserve Different?

Not all wine cellars are created equal. Vakkaru isn’t about over-the-top displays or endless shelves. It's about storytelling through wine, chosen by sommeliers who actually listen to the wine, to its origins, and to you.

Here’s what sets it apart:

  • 620 wine labels carefully selected from Europe’s top vineyards

  • Icons like Château Cheval Blanc (1983, 1985, 1990) and Krug Clos du Mesnil 2002

  • A team led by Head Sommelier Retheesh Kakkareth Mohanan and Assistant Sommelier Vasantha Kumar Nadarajah

  • Wines that offer memory and meaning, not just vintage prestige

“This fifth award isn’t about flexing, it’s about listening,” says Teddy Susanto Wiryawan, GM of Vakkaru Maldives. “We want our guests to feel something deeper.”


Chocolate Meets Wine: Yes, Please

Forget predictable pairings. Vakkaru Reserve steps it up with its Wine & Chocolate Pairing Experience, where unexpected is the whole point.

  • Yuzu and Matcha Bonbon paired with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc

  • Espresso Bonbon matched with a rich Tawny Port

  • All chocolates are crafted in-house, because of course they are

The vibe? Deliberate, indulgent, and unforgettable.


A Place Where Wine is a Whole Experience

This isn’t your basic wine tasting. Every session at Vakkaru Reserve feels like entering another dimension of calm, with:

  • Guided tastings that don’t feel scripted

  • Custom pairings based on your palate, not a pre-set menu

  • An atmosphere where time feels suspended

It’s the kind of place you go to unwind, reconnect and maybe even fall in love (with a Bordeaux).


Sip Slow, Stay Curious

In a world obsessed with more, Vakkaru Maldives proves that quiet curation always wins. And while this fifth award is a big deal, the real flex is what happens when you’re there, when a glass of red unlocks a story you didn’t know you needed.

Because true luxury isn’t loud. It lingers.