The Sommeliers Choice Awards is proud to announce the first batch of Regional and Category Ambassadors and Experts for the 2025 edition. This program is designed to educate both consumers and trade professionals about various regions and beverage categories while promoting the competition’s winners on a global scale. The initiative aims to establish the Sommeliers Choice Awards as a leading international benchmark, enabling winners to gain significant worldwide recognition. 

These representations of different regions at Sommeliers Choice Awards 2025 via Ambassadors will add great value to both the trade and consumers. Each ambassador will bring deep expertise of their respective regions and varietals, that will help trade professionals to understand and market these wines better. 

For consumers, this means access to expert-guided selections that highlight the unique characteristics and stories behind different regions and varietals, enhancing their wine experience and education. By bridging the gap between regional specialties and global markets, the ambassadors will ensure that both trade and consumers are well-informed and can make more confident, discerning choices. 

Here are our first batch of global experts and ambassadors:

Marc R. Kauffman: Regional and Category Ambassador For Emilia-Romagna and Sangiovese.

Marc Kauffman, a seasoned wine expert, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Sommeliers Choice Awards as the Regional and Category Ambassador for Emilia-Romagna, Italy. With certifications from the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Society of Wine Educators, Marc has an impressive background that includes roles as a finalist on PBS's The Winemakers Season 2 and a producer on Best Bottle. Marc’s extensive experience in the wine industry spans positions in corporate beverage operations, wine and spirits distribution, and sustainable wine packaging, making him a key figure in promoting the rich offerings of Emilia-Romagna on an international stage. Learn more about Marc Kauffman’s profile and SCA program here.

This is a great opportunity for wines from the Emilia-Romagna wine region and other Sangiovese wines to enter into the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards and grow their presence in the on-premise channels of the USA.

Chris Hackett, Regional and Category Ambassador for Portuguese Wines

Chris Hackett, the Sales Manager at Lionstone International, brings eight years of experience to his role as an ambassador. His expertise spans the wine regions of Portugal, South America, France, and California, making him a key figure in the Sommeliers Choice Awards. Chris’s ability to manage a diverse portfolio of over 700 wines, coupled with his deep understanding of the wine industry, positions him as a leading voice in promoting these regions on an international stage.

You can see all the details about Chris Hackett and the Sommeliers Choice Awards program here which includes his upcoming webinar details as well.

Gladys De Leon Boenig, Ambassador for Napa and Sonoma Wine Region

Gladys de Leon Boenig, with her unique blend of scientific expertise and passion for wine, serves as an ambassador for Napa and Sonoma. Her WSET 2 certification and deep connection to the wine regions of Napa and Sonoma make her an invaluable asset to the Sommeliers Choice Awards. Gladys has worked extensively with wineries in these regions, integrating her biochemistry background to enhance winemaking processes and the overall wine experience.

Sandra Gomes Rocha, Region and Category Ambassador for Portugal.

Sandra Gomes Rocha, a leading authority in Portuguese wine education, represents Fine Portuguese Wines in the Sommeliers Choice Awards. Sandra's journey began in her father’s wine business in New York, where she gained invaluable sales and operations experience. She later founded Diniz Cellars, Los Angeles’ premier Portuguese wine importer and distributor, overseeing all aspects of sales, marketing, and operations. With a deep-rooted passion for Portuguese culture, Sandra has become a prominent figure in promoting Portuguese wines, not just in Southern California, but globally. She holds a Wine MBA from Sonoma State University and has been instrumental in launching the first annual Portuguese Wine Week in 2024, highlighting the exceptional quality and cultural heritage of Portuguese wines.

Learn all about Sandra’s journey of promoting Portuguese wines in the USA here, including her upcoming webinar details for Portugal wineries. This is a great opportunity for wine producers from Portugal to enter the wines in the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards and get their wines in front of wine importers like Sandra as judges and also to learn from Sandra how to sell and promote Portuguese wines to Sommeliers of USA.

Jamie Knee, Regional and Category Ambassador For Santa Barbara Wine Country, Rioja, and Cava

Jamie Knee, known as the Petite Wine Traveler, is the ambassador for Santa Barbara Wine Country and Rioja. With ten years of experience in the wine industry, Jamie is a distinguished wine presenter, educator, and writer specializing in Santa Barbara, California, and Spanish wines. Jamie curates tasting experiences globally, consults for the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, and contributes to prestigious publications like Somm Journal and Tasting Panel. Her certifications include Certified Specialist of Wine, California Wine Appellation Specialist, Spanish Wine Scholar, and Rioja Wine Educator. Jamie’s active community involvement and her role as a wine judge in global competitions make her a vital ambassador for these regions.

Learn more about how Jamie Knee plans to help grow the awareness of Santa Barbara Wine and Rioja Wine region here.

Chris Saraiva, Region and Category Ambassador for Portugal.

Chris Saraiva, co-founder of Brands of Portugal, brings his entrepreneurial spirit and deep connection to Portugal’s wine heritage to the Sommeliers Choice Awards as the ambassador for Portugal. With a carefully curated portfolio of small, family-owned Portuguese wineries, Chris is dedicated to sharing authentic, terroir-driven wines with the world. His extensive experience in customer service and event management, combined with his passion for Portuguese wines, has positioned him as a leading authority in the U.S. market. Chris is committed to helping wine enthusiasts discover the perfect Portuguese bottle, fostering a community built on a shared appreciation for Portugal’s liquid treasures.

Learn more about Chris and his import company and how we plan to grow the category with educational content here.

Sommeliers Choice Awards 2025 Welcomes Scott Barber, as Ambassador for Napa and Sonoma Wine Region

Scott Barber is the Regional and Category Ambassador for Napa. Scott specializes in connecting people with exciting new wines, whether they are novice consumers or top-level sommeliers. His experience includes developing and executing education programs at Napa’s top wine resort, Meadowood, and representing boutique producers in Napa, Sonoma, and Europe at the distributor level. Scott’s extensive knowledge and close ties with winemakers and importers allow him to direct several wineries into the Texas and California markets. His dedication to mentoring aspiring sommeliers and building profitable wine programs makes him a key figure in promoting Napa wines.

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.

Take Advantage of Super Early Bird Pricing

For those looking to gain international recognition for their wines, the Sommeliers Choice Awards 2025 is now open for submissions. Don’t miss the opportunity to enter your wines at the Super Early Bird pricing of just $80 per wine, available until October 31, 2024. This is an excellent chance to showcase your wines to a global audience and gain valuable feedback from industry experts.

Enter your wines now to secure your place in the competition and take the first step toward international acclaim towards positioning your wines for the restaurant's wine lists.

Both international and domestic wine submissions are now open. International wineries that do not have wine importers in the USA will get assistance in shipping and getting COLA waivers.