Man of the Year: Aaron DeBeers, Verismo Winery.
We chose Aaron for being a "can do" man. When the D'Ambrosio family asked Aaron, their vineyard manager, if he could start a winery, create the label, do the branding and make the wine he said, "yes, I can!" He came up with the name, label, and varietals for Verismo Winery, with nods to classical music and Frank's D'Ambrosio's attachment to his dogs. Having a culinary background, he took his experience for flavor to make the wine, receiving 90 points on the Cabernet right out the door. Congrats Aaron..you never cease to amaze us!
Lifetime Achievement Award: Gustavo Brambilla, GustavoThrace Winery.
Gustavo Brambilla immigrated to St. Helena in 1957 as a young boy. It was there that he met the then winemaker for BV, Mike Grgich. Mike was such an inspiration that Gus ended up transferring from the University of Oregon, where he had a baseball scholarship, to UC Davis where he could study winemaking. In 1976 he landed his first job as a wine maker at Chateau Montelena and then joined his mentor, Mike Grgich at Grgich Cellars just one year later. He stayed at Grgich for 23 years before launching Gustavo Thrace in 1996 with business partner, Thrace Bromberger. We salute Gus for his hard work in the wine industry of Napa Valley, from its rebirth in the 70’s to the boom it experiences now.
American Winery of the Year: Taylor Family Vineyards.
You don't get more American than serving in our military. CFO of Taylor Family Vineyard, Phil Carlson, served as a Naval Fighter Pilot before he dipped his toes into wine. While Phil was just a twinke in his mother's eye, Jerry Taylor proudly served our country during the Korean War as a mechanic in the Army. Thank you to the Taylor family for your service to our country.
European (immigrant) Winery of the Year: Delectus.
Twenty years ago Gerhard Reisacher tried some California wine. A short time later he was on a plane to take his experiences as an 11th generation Austrian winemaker to California. Using old world techniques and a European appreciation for the fact that fruit can and does ripen in the California sun, Delectus wines offer an old world twist on new world fruit. But Delectus brings more then just wine tradition to their label, they are bringing the tradition of Family. Each year, daughter Julia (age 10) draws the label for the Julia's Blend. And as big thank you to Mutti (Gerhard’s mom) for flying over every year from Austria, they have created Mutti's Blend. Sometimes it takes an Old World soul to remind us all there is to appreciate and savor about New World wine.
New Winery of the Year: Pavo Winery.
Not only is Pavo a new winery, but the winemaker/vintner is fairly new. At just 26 years old, Jordan has managed to not only launch his own label using his family's estate syrah, but he managed to do it well. From the fun name, eye-catching label, great hospitality, and most importantly, great wine, Pavo is our New Winery of the Year.
Winemaker of the Year: Josh Mc Daniels, Sweet Valley Wines.
When Sweet Valley winery owner, Shane Fischer, gave me a bottle of the Syrah from his winery up in Washington, I was skeptical. Not because it was from Walla Walla Washington, not because the wine was inexpensive, but because the winemaker was just barely 21 years old! However, I opened the wine at our family's celebration of my son's return from Afghanistan...and I was blown away. Full bodied, rich, and very drinkable, I was pretty impressed that what I was drinking in my glass was made from a young man the same age as my son.
Exporter of the Year: Altruistic Boutique Wine Company
Last year when Raiford Cockfield told me he was going to start a wine company in Hong Kong that would specialize in California boutique wines, I thought, "yeah right, show me." Sure enough, this last summer Rai and business partner, Karin, came to Napa where Small Lots Big Wines introduced him to some great small wineries such as White Rock, Boeschen, and Petroni. Since then he has reordered wine three times with plans to increase his portfolio in the next few years. Congrats to Rai and Karin for doing such a great job of representing California in the Asian Market.
Retailer of the Year: Cellars of Sonoma.
Big Kudos to Mike Westerberg and the gang at Cellars of Sonoma. Cellars of Sonoma is a co-op of ten or so small boutique wineries from Napa and Sonoma located in Railroad Square, Santa Rosa. Co-ops have been around for a while, but what makes Cellars of Sonoma stand out is the fun and creative marketing they have done so that they can survive the current economic situation. From Facebook to Twitter, from Tweet-ups to Christmas Parties, Cellars of Sonoma has made their tasting room more then just a co-op, it's the place to be.
Distiller of the Year: Charbay.
Was this easy, or what?. Anyone who follows me on facebook knows that I love girlie drinks made with Charbay vodka. But Charbay offers more than just vodka and great wine; they also make Tequilla! Miles & Marko are the first American Distillers to personally hand distill 100% Blue Agave Tequila Blanco in Mexico. Not only are they first, but they are ranking amongst the best tequilas according to Sante Magazine and their many friends and family around the bay area.
Innovator of the Year: Access Wine Direct.
Being
an innovator means looking at the market, seeing a hole, and finding a way to fill it. That's exactly what James Matuszewski did when he started Access Wine Direct. He realized that there are many people who would like wine club perks without the automated shipment of wine. By partnering with wineries, consumers can join his Access Wine Club and visit his winery partners and get all the perks wine club member receive such as discounts, invitation to events, and free tastings. Members can also purchase the wine from the winery partners through James for additional perks and discounts.
Wine Region of the Year: Coombsville.
I remember when Faust bought the cattle farm where my son practiced baseball up on Coombsville road. I thought, "they're going to plant vines there?" After trying some great coombsville wine from Black Cat, Sciandri, and Madison Chase, I can see why Agustin Huneeus purchased that old cattle farm. A cool climate area with stunning views, this AVA produces big bold cabs and rich spicy syrahs. Keep your eyes open for wines that boast this "pending" Napa Valley AVA.
the wine up there.