Restaurant placement is rarely accidental. Wines make it onto serious lists because they solve real problems for sommeliers—pairing flexibility, consistency, margin, and guest appeal. The Sommeliers Choice Awards 2026 exists to evaluate wines through that exact lens. With Early Bird pricing available until January 31, this is the most efficient moment for producers to enter, save on fees, and present their wines to the buyers and sommeliers who actively shape on-premise wine programs across the U.S. and beyond.

The Early Bird deadline offers a $50 saving per wine entered, creating meaningful cost advantages for producers submitting multiple SKUs. More importantly, early entry allows wineries to plan logistics calmly, avoid bottlenecks, and ensure their wines are evaluated alongside a strong—but manageable—field. 

What Sets the Sommeliers Choice Awards Apart

This competition is built by sommeliers, for sommeliers. Wines are assessed by working professionals who manage wine lists, train service teams, and make purchasing decisions every day. Entries are judged on factors that matter in real service environments: balance with food, varietal accuracy, versatility by the glass or bottle, and value relative to price. Retail-driven scoring has no place here—this is about performance at the table, not theory in a tasting room.

Why Wineries Participate

Credibility in the On-Premise Channel
Recognition from the Sommeliers Choice Awards signals that your wine has been evaluated by peers who understand restaurant economics and guest expectations.

Relevant Trade Exposure
Medal winners receive targeted visibility across trade-facing media, buyer newsletters, and industry platforms focused on on-premise decision-makers.

Sales Enablement
Awards give distributors, importers, and sales teams a credible talking point when presenting wines to restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups.

Professional Perspective
Judges’ feedback provides insight into how your wines are perceived in a list-building context, helping refine pricing, positioning, and portfolio strategy.

Important Dates

• Early Bird Deadline: January 31, 2026
• Final Registration: April 16, 2026
• Warehouse Deadline: April 24, 2026
• Judging: May 18, 2026
• Results Announced: June 10, 2026

Entry Fees

• Early Bird: $250 per wine (through January 31, 2026)
• Regular: $300 per wine (through April 16, 2026)

Judged by Sommeliers Who Shape Modern Wine Lists

The panel includes experienced sommeliers, beverage directors, and hospitality leaders responsible for wine programs at respected restaurants, hotel groups, and dining concepts. These are professionals who balance quality, cost, and guest satisfaction daily—and their evaluations reflect that reality.

Why Enter Now

The Sommeliers Choice Awards is one of the few competitions designed entirely around how wines succeed in restaurants. Entering before January 31 reduces cost, simplifies logistics, and positions your wines early in a judging process built for on-premise relevance.

If your goal is serious restaurant placement in 2026, this is the right room—and the right time—to be judged.

For more information on previous winners, judges or how to enter, visit the official Sommelier Choice Awards website.