We are excited to announce that Chris Saraiva, Co-Founder of Brands of Portugal, has joined the Sommeliers Choice Awards 2025 as our Regional and Category Ambassador for Portuguese Wines. With his deep-rooted connection to Portugal’s rich wine heritage and his dedication to promoting family-owned wineries, Chris is poised to bring his passion and expertise to this esteemed 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.

Meet Chris Saraiva: A Passionate Purveyor of Portuguese Wine

Born into a family deeply entrenched in the Portuguese food and wine commerce industry, Chris Saraiva’s entrepreneurial spirit was ignited at a young age. His diverse career, spanning real estate, customer service, and event management, provided him with a solid foundation for his future endeavors. However, it was his profound connection to Portugal’s wine heritage that ultimately shaped his path.

As the visionary co-founder of Brands of Portugal, Chris is dedicated to introducing the extraordinary world of small, family-owned Portuguese wineries to the United States. His carefully curated portfolio is a testament to his passion for authentic, terroir-driven wines, with each bottle telling a unique story that reflects the heart and soul of its winemakers.

Beyond being a purveyor of exceptional wines, Chris is a trusted advisor and advocate for his clients. His extensive experience in customer service has honed his ability to understand individual preferences and provide personalized recommendations. By fostering genuine connections with wine enthusiasts, he has built a community that shares a deep appreciation for Portugal’s liquid treasures.

Over 15 wine families from Portugal have put their trust in Chris to represent their products in the USA. If you are a wine buyer in the USA, you can reach out to Chris here to try these amazing wines from Portugal.

Chris’s infectious enthusiasm for Portuguese wine has positioned Brands of Portugal as a premier importer in the United States. His deep knowledge of the industry, coupled with his talent for building relationships, has solidified his reputation as a leading authority on Portuguese wines. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or just beginning to explore the world of wine, Chris is committed to helping you discover the perfect Portuguese bottle to complement your palate and enhance your experience.

You can learn more about events on Portuguese wines and the culture of Portugal from the Instagram account of Chris.

The Sommeliers Choice Awards Regional and Category Ambassadors Program

The Sommeliers Choice Awards 2025 is proud to introduce the Regional and Category Ambassador Program, a prestigious 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, Chris Saraiva will represent Portuguese wines, sharing his deep knowledge and passion with the international wine community. His upcoming webinar, titled "Meet Leading Portugal Winemakers and How to Sell Portuguese Wines," will offer invaluable insights for those looking to explore and expand the presence of Portuguese wines in the competitive US market.

We are honored to welcome Chris Saraiva to the Sommeliers Choice Awards 2025 and look forward to the knowledge and passion he will bring as a Regional and Category Ambassador. Stay tuned for updates on his initiatives, including his upcoming webinar, as we continue to promote excellence in the world of wine.

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 Chris. Chris will also be on the judging panel of the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards.

The top winner from the category and region will also get a video testimonial from Chris which will be showcased in the video section of the winner's videos.

Further to that, the top 5 winners will be showcased in a tasting video by Chris highlighting the winners once the results are out and promoted by Sommeliers Choice Awards. This is a great chance for wineries from the Portugal region to enter the wines in the 2025 competition.

Header image left, Adega de Portalegre winery in Portugal that Chris represents.