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 that make wine country so great — 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. This summer, The Best of Wine Country Awards Steering Committee will vote on the final nominees and winners based on the nominations received online.
List below are the winners and the four nominees from each category. Winners were announced on August 23, 2017 at our Awards Gala.
The winners were featured in the October issue of San Francisco magazine. Over $3,000 was raised from a raffle at the event that benefitted Meals on Wheels San Francisco, who provide seniors what they need to live independent and dignified lives.
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Best of Wine Country 2018 awards gala to take place on November 14th, 2018.
The 2017 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
Megan Metz
Executive Director of Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association
Jeff Nead
Partner at Glodow Nead Communications
Kini Sanborn
Director of Sales & Marketing at Vintage Inn ~ Villagio Inn & Spa
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
Rick Walker
President & CEO of Festival Napa Valley
Michael Polenske
Creative Director, Chairman & Founder of Bespoke Collection
Dr. Liz Thach, MW
Distinguished Professor of Wine at Sonoma State University
Jonny Westom
Executive Director of Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau
Paul Reulbach
Publisher of San Francisco
Richard Von Saal
Principal Artist and Proprietor of Vonsaal Design Build
Ian White
Wine Director at San Francisco Magazine
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 here.
What is the submission deadline? TBD
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? TBD
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? TBD
What is the timing of the Gala: TBD
Beneficiary: Meals on Wheels of San Francisco
Meals on Wheels San Francisco and its volunteers provide seniors what they need to live independent and dignified lives — nutritious meals, professional social work and a friendly visitor. Our network of drivers, social workers, nutritionists, community partners, volunteers, donors, and advocates are a formidable force against senior neglect and malnutrition. Meals on Wheels San Francisco believes in delivering more than a meal – we are nourishing the whole person.
Founded in 1970, MOWSF is a local, independent non-profit organization. MOWSF exists to alleviate the food insecurity and loneliness experienced by seniors who want to stay in their own homes but cannot shop or prepare meals for themselves. Our services are geared towards those with the greatest physical, social and economic need. The seniors we serve are frail, have limited ability to purchase or prepare meals, and have little or no support from family or caregivers. All of our clients are physically challenged due to a variety of conditions such as heart disease, cancer, vision loss, arthritis, and diabetes. They are also confronted with the anxiety that the cost of living in San Francisco could outweigh their limited income.
For more information visit: http://www.mowsf.org/