The Sommeliers Choice Awards (SCA) is a unique platform offering an exclusive opportunity for wine brands to captivate America's discerning sommeliers. This distinguished competition, designed and organized by the Beverage Trade Network, is geared towards recognizing and celebrating exceptional wines that resonate with the palates of industry-leading sommeliers.

Domestic and International entrants who register the wines in the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards by September 30, 2024, can opt to showcase their extra sample bottles at the 2025 USA Trade Tasting (USATT) event, held in Chicago on May 20, 2025. This offer, valued at $200 per SKU, is free for early registrants, providing additional visibility and saving on shipping costs.

Jim Bube, MS presenting for Sommeliers Choice Awards at the USA Trade Tasting

USA Trade Tasting 2025 is a premier event celebrating the finest in the on-premise beverage industry. Held on May 20, 2025, in the vibrant city of Chicago, this one-day event promises to be the pinnacle of tasting, networking, and educational experiences for sommeliers, bartenders, and other on-premise beverage professionals. USATT 2025 is designed to bring together the best minds, brands, and enthusiasts in the beverage community to explore, learn, and innovate. This year's event promises an enhanced experience with masterclasses, conferences, and exclusive tastings.

How the Sommeliers Choice Awards USATT Pavilion Works

1. Entrants for 2025 will select the wines they wish to display at the USATT show.

2. The SCA team will manage the extra sample bottles and ensure they are showcased in the SCA entrants pavilion at USATT.

3. Your bottle(s) along with your brand information will be displayed at USATT at the Sommeliers Choice Awards entrants pavilion, a self-pour, walk-around area for trade buyers.

4. The Sommeliers Choice Awards entrants pavilion will be guided by a Master Sommelier and USATT staff who will talk about the wines in that area and educate buyers about the Sommeliers Choice Awards and why these wines are showcased.

An example of a table tent that will be displayed with your bottle with your contact information and QR code allowing trade buyers to read about your wines and contact you for more information.

Benefits of Listing Your Wines at the Sommeliers Choice Awards Entrants Pavilion

Increased Visibility and Awareness: Participating in the Sommeliers Choice Awards entrants pavilion at USATT 2025 offers enhanced exposure for your wines to key on-premise trade buyers in the USA. As one of the leading trade shows in the country, USATT 2025 is strategically designed to cater to the needs of US on-premise buyers, making it an ideal platform for showcasing your products.

Cost Savings: By registering your wines for the Sommeliers Choice Awards before September 30, 2024, you can take advantage of complimentary listing at the USATT entrants pavilion. This benefit eliminates the $200 per wine fee and helps you save on additional shipping costs associated with showcasing your wines at the event.

You have the flexibility to select which wines you want to display at the USATT show. If you prefer, you can also choose to enter your wines solely for the Sommeliers Choice Awards without participating in the USATT pavilion.

Sommeliers Choice Awards happens annually in Chicago which is then followed by the USA Trade Tasting event in Chicago which is focused on the on-premise buyers of the USA.

Limited-Time Opportunity

Wine brands from around the world are encouraged to register their wines by the September 30, 2024, deadline to take advantage of this limited-time offer. This is an excellent opportunity for international wineries to gain exposure in the US market while saving on sample and compliance costs.

Why Enter the Sommeliers Choice Awards?

What sets the SCA apart is its focus on sommeliers' preferences. The competition comprises a panel of esteemed Sommeliers and Wine Directors from across the United States, making it a significant competition for wine brands seeking recognition in the American market. With these seasoned professionals' expertise and discerning taste buds, the SCA provides an unparalleled platform for wines to shine.

Esteemed Judges

The judging panel includes renowned figures such as:

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.

Scott Barber, President At Green Pin Wines.

Larissa C Dubose, National Director Beverages- Dining Division At Paradies. 

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

Tiffany Tobey, Owner, and Sommelier, Tiffany's Toast, Dallas, Texas.

Benefits of Participation

Participating in the Sommeliers Choice Awards presents an invaluable opportunity for wine brands to gain exposure and credibility among influential sommeliers and key decision-makers within the wine industry. Winning a medal at this esteemed competition serves as a seal of approval, signaling to the market that your wine has impressed some of the most talented palates in the country. 

Each panel at the Sommeliers Choice Awards includes a Master Sommelier ensuring that each wine is also judged by a Master Sommelier.

Moreover, accolades received from the Sommeliers Choice Awards can be leveraged by brands in marketing initiatives, promotional campaigns, and consumer outreach programs. The recognition garnered from this competition elevates a brand's prestige, aiding in forging lasting impressions among wine enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.

For wine producers aiming to make a mark in the American market, the Sommeliers Choice Awards stands as an exceptional opportunity to present their finest wines to the top sommeliers in the country. It's not just a competition; it's a gateway to gaining visibility, credibility, and accolades that resonate across the American wine landscape.

International and domestic wine brands are invited to register by September 30, 2024, to take advantage of the special offer of showing the wines at 2025 USA Trade Tasting, Chicago.

To enter the Sommeliers Choice Awards or get featured in the Sommeliers Choice Awards entrants pavilion, you must be a 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards wine entrant and you must enter your wines and opt into this program via the Sommeliers Choice Awards website.

The 2025 USA Trade Tasting exhibitor registrations are also now open. 

USATT 2025 is a premier drinks event celebrating the finest in the on-premise beverage industry which will happen on May 20, 2025, in Chicago. This one-day event promises to be the pinnacle of tasting, networking, and educational experiences for sommeliers, bartenders, and other on-premise beverage professionals. 

USATT 2025 is designed to bring on-premise beverage leaders together for learning and networking. The event will showcase exhibiting companies that want to get awareness and distribution in the on-premise channel of the US market. By exhibiting at the USATT 2025, you will be able to meet the key on-premise beverage leaders, and showcase and sample your products to them. On-premise buyers from all over the USA will attend the show along with importers and distributors. 

The main reason you should be exhibiting is for brand awareness, networking, and creating new partnerships with on-premise buyers. USATT will invite top national and regional on-premise beverage professionals allowing brands to create direct deals and programming. This will help your current importers and distributors and will also help you get new distribution if you show your potential importers or distributors your new on-premise partnerships. Exhibitors will have a chance to add additional programming along with their exhibitor table. Please select the options you need below for extra brand visibility.