Chicago, USA – The Sommeliers Choice Awards, the premier wine competition judged by sommeliers and wine professionals across the country, is now open for entries for the 2025 edition. Wineries from around the globe are invited to submit their wines for consideration and gain exposure in one of the most respected wine competitions in the industry.

The Sommeliers Choice Awards is known for evaluating wines based on criteria that truly matter to on-premise buyers: food-pairing ability, typicity, value for money, and packaging. This unique approach ensures that winning wines are not only exceptional in taste but are also practical choices for wine lists in restaurants, hotels, and bars.

Why Enter the Sommeliers Choice Awards 2025?

1) Prestigious Recognition: Winning wines receive a stamp of approval from top-tier sommeliers and industry experts. This recognition can help boost a winery's reputation and credibility in the highly competitive market.

2) On-Premise Exposure: As the competition focuses on wines that resonate with restaurant buyers, the winners gain visibility in the hospitality industry, positioning their brand for prime placements on wine lists nationwide.

3) Marketing and Promotion: Winning entries benefit from widespread media coverage and promotional campaigns, allowing wineries to reach a broader audience and potential new buyers.

4) Enhanced Sales Opportunities: Wines that win awards in the Sommeliers Choice Awards are often picked up by on-premise buyers, distributors, and consumers looking for curated, high-quality selections. This provides wineries with potential new distribution channels and increased sales.

5) Professional Feedback: Every entrant receives valuable insights from the judging panel, which includes leading sommeliers and beverage directors. This feedback helps wineries better understand how their wines are perceived in the market and provides valuable guidance for future vintages.

The competition is open to all wine varieties and styles, including still, sparkling, and fortified wines. Entries are now being accepted, and wineries are encouraged to submit their wines early to take full advantage of the marketing opportunities associated with the competition.

Key Dates:

Super Early Bird Entry Deadline: October 31, 2024
Early Bird Entry Deadline: January 31, 2025
Regular Entry Deadline: April 18, 2025
Judging: May 19, 2025
Winners Announced: June 10, 2025

Wineries interested in entering the Sommeliers Choice Awards can do so by visiting the enter wines link and completing the entry form. Don’t miss the opportunity to have your wines judged by top sommeliers, wine directors, and master sommeliers.

Set to take place in May 2025 in Chicago, the Sommeliers Choice Awards aims to recognize the best wines that are not only superior in quality but also meet the standards of professionals in the restaurant, hotel, and hospitality industry. These awards provide wineries a unique opportunity to showcase their wines to the people who ultimately influence wine purchasing decisions.

The Judges:

The 2025 panel includes top sommeliers, wine buyers, directors, and beverage managers from across the United States. Here are some of the judges that have been selected for the first round:

Jill Zimorski MS, DipWSET Master Sommelier and Adjunct Professor, DePaul University

Jesse Becker MS Master Sommelier

Wayne Belding MS Master Sommelier and Partner at Preferabli, Colorado

Mark Guillaudeu MS Sommelier at Wrigley Mansion, Phoenix

Ira Harmon MS Master Sommelier and Fine Wine Specialist at Vin Sauvage, Las Vegas, NV

Morgan Harris MS Master Sommelier

Kyungmoon Kim MS Master Sommelier

Brian Koziol MS Master Sommelier and Complex Director Food & Beveragen Stella Nova & Terra Luna Resorts, Florida

Pablo Braida, MS Master Sommelier

Élyse Lambert, MS Master Sommelier and Fifth Position Best Sommelier of the World 2016

Paul Baldi Sommelier at Quince San Francisco

Scott Barber President at Green Pin Wines

Cassandra E. Sakai Corporate Director of Beverage Operations, Gibsons Restaurant Group

Rachel Lowe Director of Beverage for Levy Restaurants.

Joseph V. Micallef Journalist and commentator on food, wines, spirits, and travel. (Forbes)

See the full list of the first round of 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards Judges here.

These individuals have extensive experience in evaluating wines for their taste, value, packaging, and appropriateness for the on-premise sector, making them the ideal judges for this prestigious competition.

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Organized By Beverage Trade Network:

The Sommeliers Choice Awards is organized by the Beverage Trade Network, a leading platform that connects beverage producers, importers, distributors, and retailers globally. With a mission to empower beverage brands, the Beverage Trade Network leverages its vast industry expertise to create events like the Sommeliers Choice Awards, where top sommeliers and on-premise professionals judge wines based on criteria that are crucial for restaurant buyers. This competition not only helps wineries showcase their products but also facilitates their growth by providing exposure to key decision-makers in the hospitality sector.

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