The Sommeliers Choice Awards proudly announces two new special category awards: ‘Winery of the Year by Country’ and ‘Winery of the Year by Wine Style’. These prestigious honors spotlight wineries that demonstrate exceptional craftsmanship, innovation, and consistency, offering wines that resonate with sommeliers, on-premise buyers across the U.S. and finally the end consumer.

Why These Awards Are Significant

Winning one of these distinguished titles provides wineries with unparalleled recognition in the competitive U.S. on-premise wine market. These awards celebrate not just individual wines but the winery as a whole, affirming the Sommeliers Choice Awards’ mission to showcase wines that deserve a prominent place on restaurant and bar wine lists across America.

Benefits for Wineries

• National and Global Prestige:
  Position your brand as a leader in your region or wine style, boosting visibility in the U.S. market and internationally.
• Enhanced Marketing Impact:
  Leverage the award medals on product packaging, menus, websites, and promotional campaigns to reinforce your brand’s excellence.
• Credibility in the Industry:
  Gain the trust and interest of sommeliers, distributors, and on-premise buyers, establishing your winery as a top-tier player.
• Media and Marketing Exposure:
  Winners will receive dedicated features across Sommeliers Choice Awards’ platforms, including press releases, website highlights, and social media campaigns.
• Networking Opportunities:
  Use the recognition to build relationships with sommeliers, beverage directors, and key decision-makers in the on-premise sector.

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How It Works

• Eligibility:
  Wineries must submit a minimum of four wines to the Sommeliers Choice Awards to qualify for these categories.
• Judging Criteria:
  Medal Performance: Total medals (Double Gold, Gold, Silver, Bronze) won across all entries.
  Consistency in Quality: Average scores for all wines entered must meet or exceed 90%.
  Gold Medal Requirement: At least two Gold medals must be awarded to the winery’s entries.
• Shortlisting Process:
  The top five wineries with the highest average score along with the other criteria listed above, in each country, are shortlisted based on their medal performance.
  Shortlisted wineries complete a detailed questionnaire focusing on innovation, terroir expression, and craftsmanship. They must also describe their impact on the wine industry and their country of production. 
  Judges evaluate responses alongside numerical scores to select winners, ensuring both qualitative and quantitative excellence are recognized.

Awards and Recognition

• Country-Specific Awards:
  ‘Winery of the Year by Country’ Medal: Awarded to one winery from each participating country, recognizing it as the best in its region.
  ‘Winery of the Year by Wine Style’ Medal: Awards will be given to wineries excelling in categories such as red, white, sparkling, sweet/fortified, and low/no-alcohol wines.
  Overall Winery of the Year: Awarded to the winery with the highest average score across all entrants.

Other Producer Awards

• Red Wine Producer of the Year
• White Wine Producer of the Year
• Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year
• Sweet/Fortified Wine Producer of the Year
• No and Low Wine Winery of the Year

Countries in Focus

• USA
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Australia
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• Chile
• Portugal
• Germany

Winner Benefits

• Trophy and Certificate:
  Each winner receives a customized trophy and certificate to mark their accomplishment.
• Marketing Resources:
  Digital medals and badges for use in promotional materials and product packaging.
• Media and Website Features:
  Highlighted profiles on Sommeliers Choice Awards and Sommelier Business’ websites. Inclusion in media campaigns, blogs, and press releases.
• Industry Recognition:
  Recognition as a top-performing winery, enhancing opportunities with sommeliers, on-premise buyers, and distributors.

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The Sommeliers Choice Awards continues to set the standard for recognizing wines that excel in the on-premise channel. These new awards further the competition’s mission to guide sommeliers and wine buyers in selecting wines that shine on the list, on the table, and in the glass.

Related Links:
Sommeliers Choice Awards Announces Press Partnership with Santé Magazine 
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