The Sommeliers Choice Awards (SCA) has introduced importer awards—Importer of the Year and Importer of the Year by Country —to recognize the exceptional efforts of wine importers in the USA. These awards celebrate importers who are crucial in sourcing and promoting outstanding wines, ensuring they reach consumers worldwide.

The overall concept of the medal is that importers who enter their portfolio wines as an importer will all go into qualification for the medals.

What does the Importer of the Year medal mean?

Importer who got the highest average on the wines entered in the Sommeliers' Choice Awards. It is important to note that we are not reviewing you as an import business, the medal means the wines you import won the top score and are a great fit for the on-premise channels of USA. This will position you as a on-premise world class importer based on the wines you carry for the on-premise channels.

How It Works:

1. Eligibility:

All importers that enter at least 10 products into the Sommeliers Choice Awards and select ‘Importer’ as their company type will automatically be eligible for the medal ‘Importer of the year’. To qualify for importer of the year by country, you must enter 10 products from the same source country and select importer as your own company type. You must be a licensed USA wine importer.

2. Judging Process:

- Companies will be evaluated based on the total number of medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze) won across their entries.

- The average scores across all submitted products will be considered to ensure consistent quality. 

- Companies must have entered a minimum of 10 products, scored a minimum average score of 85%, and won at least 4 gold medals to qualify.

- From the qualified companies, the company with the highest average among all entries will win the importer of the year award

- Process to qualify for country importer of the year will require the importer to enter 10 products per country of origin in order to qualify. And then the same process will be applied.

Countries Included:

- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Australia
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- Austria
- Chile
- Portugal
- Germany

Medals and Prize Benefits

- Importers will be able to display and use the winning medals in their marketing

- Physical certificates and a medal trophy will be shipped to the importer's address.

- 5000 medal stickers are complimentary to the winners and will be shipped to the importer’s address.

- Complimentary trade show exhibitor stand at BTN’s USA trade show - USA Trade Tasting, which is focused on helping you meet distributors and key trade buyers. Valued at $1600.

- Selected importer’s wine experts and buyers may be invited to participate as judges in BTN events.

- The importer of the year will be invited to join the winners press call where press and leading buyers will attend.

- The importer of the year will also get USD 2000 prize money to be spent on BTN media assets advertising.

Trusted by the following importers who have entered wines in 2025.

Quintessential Wines
Vino Del Sol
Tupetz Wine Connection
Gonzalez Byass USA
M.S. Walker Brands
Skurnik Wines & Spirits
Palm Bay International
Delicato Family Wines
Boisset Collection
Veritable Wines & Estates
Kobrand
Osmar Imports
Legend Imports
TODAY IMPORTS
Por Que No Selections
Diniz Cellars
Greg Linn Wines and Imports
Enovation Brands
Three Sixty Five Wines

and many more…

Fees and Key Dates:

Importers Registration Closes – April 25, 2025
Warehouse Closes – April 30, 2025
Judging Day – May 19, 2025
Winners Announced – June 10, 2025

Registration Fees and Discounts:

Regular Pricing: $120 per wine

Bulk Entry Discounts:

4 to 9 entries: 10% discount
10 to 14 entries: 15% discount
15 or more entries: 20% discount

The Submission deadline for wine importers in the USA is April 19, 2025, to April 25, 2025. Don’t miss your chance to qualify for Wine Importer by Country medals. Here’s all you need to know.

This category highlights the achievements of importers in their ability to identify and promote wines that resonate with consumers in their region.

By introducing these awards, the Sommeliers Choice Awards aims to spotlight the critical role of importers in shaping the global wine industry while offering consumers insights into the top-performing importers in their countries.

Why Importers Should Enter the Sommeliers' Choice Awards

The Sommeliers Choice Awards (SCA) is renowned for setting benchmarks in the wine industry by recognizing quality, value for money, and exceptional packaging. For importers, participating in this competition is more than just entering a contest—it’s a strategic move that offers unparalleled benefits and opportunities for growth.

Winning awards such as Importer of the Year or Importer of the Year by Country establishes your business as a leader in the industry. It solidifies your reputation and builds trust with producers, distributors, and consumers alike. Being recognized by a panel of esteemed judges—including Masters of Wine, sommeliers, and top-level wine buyers—carries significant weight in the global wine community.

One of the best benefits you will have is positioning yourself for the on-premise channel as a top supplier in Uthe SA from that country.

"Importers are the unsung heroes of the wine industry. They bridge the gap between exceptional producers and discerning consumers, curating portfolios that bring diversity and quality to the market. With the introduction of the Importer of the Year and Importer of the Year by Country awards, we aim to celebrate their invaluable contributions and provide a platform to showcase their expertise on a global stage." - Sid Patel, Founder, Sommeliers Choice Awards and Beverage Trade Network

Sid Patel, Founder, Sommeliers Choice Awards and Beverage Trade Network

An award from the Sommeliers Choice Awards isn't just a one-time achievement—it’s a badge of honor you can use in your marketing efforts for years to come. It’s a powerful tool for securing new clients, opening up new markets, and enhancing your overall brand value.

Here's a strong draft highlighting the credibility of the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards judges and why wine importers in the USA should seize the opportunity to have their wines judged by these top-tier experts.

Who will judge your wines?

The 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards brings together an elite panel of judges who set the gold standard for wine evaluation in the industry. These judges are not just critics—they are Master Sommeliers, leading trade buyers, national and regional decision-makers, and hospitality experts who understand what truly sells in today’s market.

For wine importers in the USA, having their wines judged by this panel is a game-changer. Here’s why:

A Panel That Defines Excellence

1. Master Sommeliers & Leading Sommeliers

These are the professionals at the pinnacle of wine expertise. Master Sommeliers and top sommeliers from Michelin-starred restaurants and prestigious hospitality groups bring an unparalleled level of knowledge, ensuring that each wine is judged with precision, expertise, and an understanding of fine dining and consumer trends.

2. Trade Buyers & Decision-Makers

Wines are judged by the very people who purchase and place wines on wine lists, retail shelves, and distribution networks across the USA. These professionals know what sells, what resonates with American consumers, and how to assess wines from a commercial standpoint.

3. National & Regional Buyers

Whether it's a nationwide chain, an independent retailer, or a regional distributor, the judges include key figures who shape the wine market at every level. Their insights reflect real-world demand, making the Sommeliers Choice Awards a true industry benchmark.

Why Wine Importers in the USA Should Enter

Market Validation by Industry Leaders

Winning a medal means your wine has been approved by top sommeliers and buyers who influence purchasing decisions across the country. This can serve as a powerful endorsement when approaching distributors, retailers, and restaurant buyers.

Increase Visibility & Sales Potential

A high score from the Sommeliers Choice Awards makes your wine more attractive to restaurants, bars, and retail buyers, helping you break into new accounts and expand distribution.

Expert-Driven Quality & Market Fit Evaluation

Unlike traditional competitions, wines are judged not just on quality but also on value, food-friendliness, and commercial appeal—factors that directly impact on-premise and off-premise sales success.

How to Enter

Entering the Sommeliers Choice Awards is straightforward. Submit your portfolio and let the judges evaluate your wines. The performance of your wines in the competition determines your eligibility for awards such as Importer of the Year and Importer of the Year by Country.