We are thrilled to announce that Gladys De Leon Boenig, has joined the Sommeliers Choice Awards 2025 as our Regional and Category Ambassador for Napa, Sonoma, and the Pinot Noir & Cabernet Sauvignon category. With her unique blend of scientific expertise and deep passion for wine, Gladys is set to bring her exceptional knowledge and vision to this prestigious role.

Sommeliers Choice Awards is an international wine competition organized by Beverage Trade Network that helps wine producers around the world grow in the on-premise channels of the USA market. The main objective of the competition is to benchmark wines that are great for restaurant wine lists and for by-the-glass programs.

Sommeliers Choice Awards was created with a clear vision to create a wine competition that truly reflects the expertise and preferences of sommeliers, and to reward wines that are a great fit for on-premise channels and wine consumption.

The wine competition has grown consistently over the last 6 years and now has become one of the most important wine competitions in the USA for wine brands that are looking to set them apart for on-premise channels.

Why are Sommeliers Choice Awards different? 

Wines are judged in five categories: food pairability, typicity, quality, value, and packaging. Judges consider two overarching questions whilst considering these five categories: “Would we stock this?” and "Will the consumer buy the second glass?" In essence, then, the entire focus of the awards is finding wines that are a great fit for wine lists and by-the-glass programs. 

Sommeliers Choice Awards has created a reputation for bringing on-premise trade buyers wines that are a great fit for wine lists and by-the-glass programs. Sommeliers can see the winning wines and use them to curate their wine lists.

About The Sommeliers Choice Awards Regional and Category Ambassador Program

The Sommeliers Choice Awards 2025 is proud to introduce the Regional and Category Ambassadors Program, a prestigious initiative designed to promote excellence and innovation in the beverage industry on a global stage. This program will highlight key educators who will educate the trade and consumers about different regions of the world.

Her first webinar as ambassador, titled "How Napa and Sonoma Wineries Can Boost Tourism and Increase Cellar Footfall” will happen in November.” More information will be sent to the Sommeliers Choice Awards entrants in October.

Meet Gladys De Leon Boenig: A Scientist Turned Wine Industry Leader

Gladys De Leon Boenig’s journey into the wine industry is a captivating story of passion meeting science. With a background as a biochemist, Gladys brings a distinctive perspective to winemaking, seamlessly merging her scientific expertise with a deep love for wine. Her journey took a pivotal turn in Napa, where she discovered her true calling and pursued her WSET 2 certification, further enriching her knowledge and understanding of wine.

Throughout her career, Gladys has worked with numerous wineries across Napa, Sonoma, and other esteemed regions, amassing a wealth of experience and industry knowledge. Her dedication to enhancing the wine country experience is evident in her insightful recommendations on wineries, restaurants, and local events, fostering a deeper connection between wine lovers and the regions they explore.

Gladys’s unique background has fueled her entrepreneurial spirit, allowing her to combine her scientific curiosity with her passion for wine. Her work in the wine industry has not only satisfied her intellectual interests but has also enabled her to contribute significantly to the tourism sector, blending passion with purpose. As she continues her journey through the world of wine, Gladys is committed to driving excellence, innovation, and global recognition in the beverage industry.

She is one of the top wine influencers who will start to promote the winners of the Sommeliers Choice Awards on Instagram and also to help promote tourism for Napa and Sonoma wineries. You can learn more about her journey in a recent interview she did with Sommelier Business.

The Sommeliers Choice Awards Regional and Category Ambassadors Program

The Sommeliers Choice Awards 2025 proudly introduces the Regional and Category Ambassadors Program, an initiative designed to promote excellence and innovation in the global beverage industry. This program offers industry leaders the opportunity to network, gain global recognition, and explore commission opportunities while championing the regions and wine categories they are passionate about.

As Regional and Category Ambassador, Gladys De Leon Boenig will represent Napa, Sonoma, and the categories of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Her upcoming webinar, titled "How Napa and Sonoma Wineries Can Boost Tourism and Increase Cellar Footfall," promises to provide invaluable insights for wineries looking to enhance their presence and attract more visitors in the competitive wine tourism market.

We are excited to welcome Gladys De Leon Boenig to the Sommeliers Choice Awards 2025 and look forward to the exceptional knowledge and passion she will bring as a Regional and Category Ambassador. Stay tuned for updates on her initiatives, including her upcoming webinar, as we continue to celebrate excellence in the world of wine.

Her first webinar as ambassador, titled "How Napa and Sonoma Wineries Can Boost Tourism and Increase Cellar Footfall” will happen in November.” More information will be sent to the Sommeliers Choice Awards entrants in October.

Who are the judges of the Sommeliers Choice Awards and how wine brands can benefit? 

The judges of the Sommeliers Choice Awards are top Restaurant Wine Buyers of the USA, Master Sommeliers, National and Regional Restaurant group buyers, and leading wine directors of the on-premise channels. The judging panel will also include leading and specialized wine importers and distributors. 

Each panel has a Master Sommelier which means each wine is also reviewed by one Master Sommelier. The judges are real trade buyers and come with direct buying responsibilities. One of the main commercial benefits wine producers have is that the wines are also judged by the package and thus the judges can see the wine bottles once the blind tasting is done which gives a brand solid visibility. 

Each brand also gets constructive trade feedback from these top trade professionals is very valuable. Feedback includes market feedback like is your wine is a good fit for an on-premise channel. is the region or varietal in demand in the US market? Is it a good fit for the glass program? and if the judges are interested in your brand, they also have an option to ask for more details like pricing and sampling. 

Apart from the feedback, each wine gets a professional tasting note that they can use in custom shelf talkers of SCA. The 2025 SCA judging panel will also include importers and distributors specialized in restaurant wines which brings a solid benefit for international and domestic wine brands looking to get the attention of state distributors and importers. 

If you are looking to sell more of your wines to on-premise establishments such as restaurants, hotels, pubs, and bars, then Sommeliers Choice Awards is the right wine competition for your wines.