Super Early Bird Ends
October 31, 2024
Judging
Date
May 19, 2025
Winners Announcement
June 10, 2025
We are extremely happy to announce that Toshio Ueno, Vice President, Sake School of America with extensive knowledge in Sake, Shochu, and Wine, will be among the judges at the 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards. His riches of experience and passion for promoting Japanese food and beverage culture globally makes him an invaluable addition to our panel of expert judges.
Toshio Ueno, the visionary behind the Sake School of America (Popularly known as 'The Sake Samurai'), stands not only as a judge but as a huge contributor even in beverage education. Holding prestigious titles like Master of Sake and Master Sake Sommelier, Toshio's journey seamlessly blends tradition with modern innovation.
Image Source: Toshio Ueno
In his role as the Director of the Sake Specialist Division at Mutual Trading Company, Toshio is dedicated to further promoting Japanese food and Sake cultures to new international audiences. We are truly happy to welcome a distinguished industry expert like Toshio, as a judge for the 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards – it's a feather in our cap.
Providing a brief overview of our event, the uniqueness of the Sommeliers Choice Awards lies in the caliber of our judges, comprising respected top master sommeliers, sommeliers, wine directors, and on-premise buyers in the USA. These individuals possess a deep understanding of what sets a wine apart, contributing value and interest to wine lists and glass programs. As we prepare for the 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards, we extend an invitation to join us on May 21, 2024, in Chicago for an extraordinary celebration of excellence.
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 MSm 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
KRISTIN FRANCESCO, Sommelier at Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, 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
JOSH KING, Director of Food and Beverage, Virgin Hotels, Chicago
JOHN MARAFFA, Corporate Beverage Manager, Morton's The Steakhouse | Strip House Steakhouse & Cocktail Lounge | Morton's Grille
JON MCDANIEL, Founder & CEO of Ottantadu
TIFFANY TOBEY, Owner and Sommelier, Tiffany's Toast, Dallas, Texas
View the full panel of the 2024 Sommeliers Choice Awards judges here.
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.
2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards submissions is now open for domestic and international wines. Enter your Wines to get the super early bird pricing before October 31, 2024