The goal of the Sommeliers' Choice Awards is simple: to provide on-premise buyers and sommeliers a valuable benchmark for understanding which wines would make a compelling addition to a wine list.

The judging panel of the Sommeliers Choice Awards will consist entirely of top sommeliers, on-premise wine buyers and wine directors at U.S. restaurants, bars, pubs, and clubs. To be selected as a judge, sommeliers need to provide evidence of their expertise within the on-premise industry. In some cases, these sommeliers may also be wine consultants for on-premise establishments. They may also have a buying role in addition to working on the restaurant floor.

Medals will be awarded to those wines that meet very specific judging criteria, to identify wines that should become additions to restaurant wine lists. Wines will be judged according to criteria such as how well they pair with food items in addition to their overall versatility. Highest marks will be awarded to wines that provide value for money at their respective price points. Judges know the trade prices of each wine as they are judging each flight. The number one question that sommeliers will be attempting to answer as they judge wines is: “Would we stock this?”

Key Dates:

Super Early Bird Ends — September 30, 2026
Early Bird Ends — January 20, 2027
Registration Closes — April 28, 2027
Warehouse Closes — April 30, 2027
Judging Day — May 23, 2027
Winners Announced — June 10, 2027

Pricing:

Super Early Bird Pricing — $80 per wine (now to September 30, 2026)
Early Bird Pricing — $100 per wine (November 1, 2026 to January 20, 2027)
Regular Pricing — $120 per wine (January 21, 2027 to April 28, 2027)

*Instructions if shipping from outside the U.S.

It is best to use your own importer or agent to clear your shipment through U.S. Customs. All beverages shipped from outside the U.S. require import documents that must be obtained from your own importer or through import partners that provide TTB / Cola service.

If you do not currently work with a US Importer, Sommeliers Choice Awards will assist you with TTB and samples via its import partner.

Produced and Organized by Beverage Trade Network (BTN)

Location

Organizer & More Info

Web: https://sommelierschoiceawards.com/