The Sommeliers Choice Awards, organized by the Beverage Trade Network, is one of the leading wine competitions in the USA. The competition aims to provide on-premise buyers and sommeliers a valuable benchmark for understanding which wines would make a compelling addition to a wine list. The competition’s judging process stands out and focuses on a wine’s food pairing ability, typicity, value for money, and its packaging.

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United States’s Ehlers Estate 1886 with 97 points, became a proud winner of the “Wine Of The Year” category at the 2022 Sommeliers Choice Awards held on May 16 in San Francisco, USA. 

The Ehlers Estate 1886 Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 vintage was also awarded “Wine Of The Year By Varietal”, “Wine Of The Year By Country”, and “Red Wine Of The Year” awards. 

2022 Sommeliers Choice Awards’ Winner ‘Ehlers Estate 1886 Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, United States’ by Ehlers Estate

This wine is the flagship wine for Ehlers Estate and a true expression of the Estate vineyards and the timeless value of wines made to last. The 2019 vintage is sourced from different blocks on the Estate vineyards and a total of four clones of Cabernet Sauvignon make up this particular blend. 

Located on a historic winegrowing site in the northern part of Napa Valley’s acclaimed St. Helena appellation, the Ehlers Estate vineyard is the source of exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc farmed with strict adherence to organic farming standards. The vineyards reflect passion, patience, and hard work, intertwined like the tendrils of robust vines that have been part of the landscape here since the mid-1800s.   

Judge’s tasting notes:

“A dense, lively, poised but powerful wine that is seamlessly stitched together in aromas, flavors, and structure. A brilliant balance of dark fruits and oak notes with firm tannins followed by a chocolatey finish.”

The judging panel at the competition is one of a kind, composed of some of the best Sommeliers, Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, and Wine Buyers across the country. 

Scott Barber, Master Sommelier, National Sales at Green Pin Wines; Jacob Brown, Head Sommelier at Lazy Bear, SF; Paul Carayas, Wine Director at Chez TJ, San Mateo; Ira Harmon MS Master Sommelier and Fine Wine Specialist at Vin Sauvage, Las Vegas; Steven Izzo, Wine Director at The Vault Garden & Steakhouse; Cami Lehmann, Purchasing, Wine Programs, and Marketing at Maggiano’s Little Italy, Carrollton, TX, Liz Martinez, Food and Wine Magazine Somm of the Year 2019; Tom Markakis, Hospitality Manager & Estate Sommelier at Folio Fine Wine Partners; Michael Smith, Sommelier at Quince; Marc R. Kauffman, Noted Celebrity Sommelier, CS, CSW; Michael Mighetto Hoefling, Service Manager & Sommelier at Spruce SF, are just a few of the highly regarded names who featured on the judging panel.

Here are the top winners of the 2022 Sommeliers Choice Awards:

Wine of the Year: Ehlers Estate 1886

White Wine of the Year: Grand Ardeche Chardonnay 2019 

Red Wine of the Year: Ehlers Estate 1886 

Sparkling Wine of the Year: Marchese Manodori 

Rose Wine of the Year: Pure The Winery Sparkling Rose NV

Wine of the Year - BTG (By The Glass): Grand Cru Syrah ASV

White Wine of the Year - BTG (By The Glass): Ducado De Hoja Blanco 2020

Red Wine of the Year - BTG (By The Glass): Grand Cru Syrah ASV

Sparkling Wine of the Year - BTG (By The Glass): Torbato Spumante Brut

Rose Wine of the Year - BTG (By The Glass): Baron De Ley Rosado Lagrima

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