
Tastings, tours, views, & more...who represents the best?
The Best of Wine Country Awards recognize the wine country community for its excellence in all things — the creative, innovative, philanthropic, eco-friendly and unique components of wineries we know and love. We invite you to check out the award categories and submit your entries.
All nominees have to be located in Northern California from Monterey to Mendocino. The Best of Wine Country Awards Steering Committee will vote on the final nominees and winners based on the nominations received online.
The winners will be featured in the November issue of San Francisco Magazine as well as celebrated at the Best of Wine Country Awards on November 14th, 2018.
Interested in sponsoring the 2018 Best of Wine Country Awards? Email ldgiulia@modernluxury.com.
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Best of Wine Country 2018 awards gala to take place on November 14th, 2018.
The 2018 Steering Committee

Maureen L. Cottingham
Executive Director of Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance

Tom Fuller
Owner of Fuller & Sander Communications, Inc

Clay Gregory
President & CEO of Visit Napa Valley

Rick Walker
President & CEO of Festival Napa Valley
Jeff Nead
Partner at Glodow Nead Communications

Kim Stemler
Executive Director Monterey County Vintners
Alf Nucifora
Chairman for The Luxury Marketing Council of San Francisco
Colby Smith
Executive & Founder of Concierge Alliance of Napa and Sonoma

Ian White
Wine Director at San Francisco Magazine

Michael Polenske
Creative Director, Chairman & Founder of Bespoke Collection

Dr. Liz Thach, MW
Distinguished Professor of Wine at Sonoma State University

Paul Reulbach
Publisher of San Francisco
Richard Von Saal
Principal Artist and Proprietor of Vonsaal Design Build

Tim Zahner
Executive Director at Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau
Frequently Asked Questions
NOMINATIONS & VOTING
Who is eligible for nomination? All wineries, festivals, transportation companies and wine educators located in Northern California from Monterey to Mendocino.
How do I submit my nomination? Fill out the nomination form!
What is the submission deadline? Nomination closed on August 31st!
Can a candidate be submitted to more than one category? Yes, as long as a candidate is eligible in each category.
When will the final award winners be announced? At the gala on November 14, 2018
Who votes for the final winners? The Steering Committee is responsible for deciding the final winners from the nominations received online.
AWARDS GALA
Who will attend the Awards Gala? The Awards Gala will comprise of a specially curated group of individuals who are wine connoisseurs, industry professionals, and VIPs of the Steering Committee and San Francisco magazine. All final award nominees will receive invitations for themselves and a guest. We also have an exclusive amount of tickets available to the general public. To purchase a ticket to attend click HERE.
How will the winners be announced? Halfway through the event all nominees will be asked to gather on the first floor of The Pearl. On stage our Publisher Paul J. Reulbach and Wine Director Ian White will announce the winner of each category. The winner will have a moment on stage to accept his or her award, take a photo opp. and be presented with a special gift.
What's the dress code? Cocktail attire.
Where will the Awards Gala be held? The Pearl
What is the timing of the Gala: 7-10pm
2018 Beneficiary: Rebuild Wine Country
Founded by the team behind Senses Wines, Rebuild Wine Country is a group of volunteer wine industry professionals working with local Habitat for Humanity chapters to raise $5 million to rebuild owned and rented homes lost in Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Mendocino and Lake county wildfires.
It took 23 days to contain the fires.
Over 210,000 acres and nearly 9,000 structures burned, displacing tens of thousands of people. An estimated $3.3 billion of damages have been reported for insured losses.
Many families have nowhere to return.
That is where we come in. With your support, we will rebuildand revitalize the cornerstone of wine country communities: homes.
For more information visit: https://www.rebuildwinecountry.org/