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Announcing Joanna Breslin as Judge for the 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards

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05/01/2024 Excited to welcome Joanna Breslin, CMS Level 3 Advanced Sommelier, as a judge for the 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards. Her remarkable journey and dedication promise to lift the evaluation of outstanding wines at SCA in Chicago this May 21st.

We are thrilled to announce and extend a warm welcome to Joanna Breslin, CMS Level 3 Advanced Sommelier and WSET Level 3 Advanced, as a judge for the upcoming 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards in Chicago on May 21st, 2024.

Joanna's impressive journey through the wine industry showcases a remarkable blend of expertise, resilience, and a relentless commitment to wines. Beginning in Hyde Park, Chicago, she navigated a unique educational path, eventually finding herself immersed in the world of wine distribution, where her portfolio included a diverse selection of international wines.

Her notable achievements include serving as the wine director at Ana Mandara, where she significantly expanded the wine list over an eight-year tenure. Through the challenges of 2008, Joanna demonstrated entrepreneurial prowess, and her journey continued with roles at Binny's and Plum Market, where she honed her skills in wine retail and purchasing.

Currently contributing her expertise to the historic House of Glunz, Joanna stands as proof of adaptability and tenacity in the wine industry. Her vast experience and dedication make her a valuable addition to the panel of judges for the Sommeliers Choice Awards.

As we anticipate a gathering of industry leaders and experts at the 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards, Joanna Breslin's presence will undoubtedly enrich the evaluation process and contribute to the recognition of outstanding wines on May 21st, 2024 in Chicago.

We look forward to a successful event and extend our gratitude to Joanna for being a part of the Sommeliers Choice Awards.

Here are some of the judges who will participate in the 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards

Wayne Belding MS, Master Sommelier and Partner at Preferably, Colorado. 

Peter Granoff MS, Master Sommelier, Wine Educator, Speaker, Entrepreneur, San Francisco. 

Brian Koziol MS, Master Sommelier at Maverick Beverage Company, Chicago. 

Rachel Lowe, Director of Beverage for Levy Restaurants. 

Alexander Powell MS, Master Sommelier and Senior Wine Manager at Grill 23 & Bar, Boston. 

Lisa Selman CSS, Alchemy Room Beverage Director. 

Kyungmoon Kim MS, Master Sommelier. 

Vincent Morrow MS, Master Sommelier and Wine Director at PRESS Napa Valley, San Francisco. 

Brandon Tebbe, MS, Master Sommelier. 

Serafin Alvarado MS, Master Sommelier and Director of Wine Education at Southern Wine & Spirits. 

Jeremy Shanker MS, Corporate Wine Director at Mina Group and Master Sommelier. Scott Barber, President at Green Pin Wines. 

Larissa C Dubose, National Director Beverages- Dining Division at Paradies Lagardère and Wine Enthusiast Magazine Future 40, Vino Volo National Buyer. 

Brandon Bierlein, Director of Food & Beverage, Talbott Hotel Chicago. 

Guillermo Bravo, Beverage Director at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Chicago. 

Allison Curatolo, Wine Director RPM Italian Las Vegas. 

Anika Ellison, Wine Manager, Swift & Sons Steakhouse, Chicago. 

Jamie Harrison Rubin, Procurement & Placements at Culinary Conservatory. 

Colin Hofer, General Manager of Restaurants, Four Seasons Chicago. 

Jennifer Knott, Director of Beverage for Levy at Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

You can see full list of sommeliers here.

Looking to grow your wine brand in the on-premise channel of the USA?

The 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards are accepting entries now. It's open for both international and domestic wines. Your entered wines will receive scores, tasting notes, and feedback from expert judges.

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Take advantage of the early bird pricing that's on till January 31, 2024. Here are the winning benefits of entering the 2024 competition and detailed steps on how to enter.

Sommeliers Choice Awards is organized by Beverage Trade Network. Beverage Trade Network (BTN) is a global media and B2B networking platform servicing suppliers, buyers, and beverage professionals in the global beverage industry. BTN also owns BevRoute, a magazine for Importers and Distributors, and runs a lineup of trade shows around the world which includes  USA Trade Tasting in New York,  IBWSS UK  in London,  and IBWSS USA  in San Francisco. Beverage Trade Network also owns and runs the London Wine Competition, London Beer Competition, London Spirits Competition, and USA Wine Ratings.

A unique opportunity to present your wines to America's top sommeliers. The wine scores are benchmarked for on-premise channels by top sommeliers, master sommeliers, wine directors and restaurant wine buyers. Submission deadline is April 30, 2024.