J. Lohr Named Winery of the Year

Wine Enthusiast Magazine held their Wine Star Awards on Monday (I assume my invitation was lost in the mail ;)). From all accounts it was a big night and several friends of this blog won awards:

The first award was granted to Alain Juppé, Mayor of Bordeaux, for Innovator of the Year Wine Star, and later, Chris Adams, on behalf of Sherry-Lehmann Wine & Spirits, accepted the award for Retailer of the Year.

Also among the evening’s highlights was Tyler Florence, who won the award for Restaurateur of the Year. “It’s is a big honor for us to be named Restaurateur of the Year and we plan to use this as the stamp that says, ‘Yes you can do this’ as we take our next leap forward,” he said.

Father and daughter team, Nicolàs and Laura Catena, of Bodega Catena Zapata, graced the stage to accept the award New World Winery of the Year. “It is a magnificent and elegant evening—it’s so amazing to have something that brings everyone together and it’s like the Oscars of wine,” Laura Catena said.

William Foley, of Foley Family Wines, was honored with the Man of the Year WSA. “Totally unexpected, totally honored,” he said. “I’m new in the business, in the wine industry, in terms of having a larger presence, and to be recognized in this way by a prestigious magazine is really unbelievable.”

The final Wine Star Award was granted to Baron Eric de Rothschild, who graciously dedicated the honor to Château Lafite-Rothschild, one of today’s most collectible wines. Guests toasted the Baron by indulging in one of the most coveted sips in the world—Château Lafite-Rothschild.

J. Lohr Winery won the award for American Winery of the Year and posted this great video as an acceptance:



Congratulations to all the winners!