Early Bird Ends
January 31, 2025
Judging
Date
May 19, 2025
Winners Announcement
June 10, 2025
On October 15, Sid Patel, CEO and Founder of Beverage Trade Network, Organizers of Sommeliers Choice Awards will be moderating a podcast which is focused on ‘Let's Grow Wine’. The speakers will include Julio Alonso Ducci from Wines of Chile North America, Jim Clarke from Wines of South Africa US, Karissa Kruse from Sonoma County Winegrowers, Samuel Filler from New York Wine & Grape Foundation, and Dr. Liz Thach, MW from the WINE MARKET COUNCIL.
Date: October 15, 2024
Time: 9 am PST (San Francisco Time)
1) Wine and Consumer: How we can talk to the new consumer
2) Wine and Culture: How we can use current culture to grow wine consumption
3) Wine and Trade: How trade can push wine in a new way
4) Wine and transparency: How can we tell the story of sustainability and transparency
RSVP here to attend the webinar and get the recorded video.
After working for several years in the private sector in law firms and academia, Julio served as a legislative advisor in sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the Chilean Ministry of Economy. He also held the position of Trade Commissioner of Chile in Shanghai, China. In 2014, Julio Alonso established the Wines of Chile (WOC) Asia office, primarily focusing on China, with secondary markets in Korea and Japan. During his tenure, the exports of fine Chilean wines priced over FOB U$ 400 (9L) grew eightfold, reaching $12 million. During the same period, China became the leading export country for Chilean wines in general. Since 2020, Mr. Alonso has been responsible for North America at Wines of Chile, based in New York, leading WOC's premiumization strategy firmly rooted in sustainability credentials.
En tant qu'avocat de profession, Julio a exercé en tant que conseiller législatif dans les domaines de la durabilité, de la faillite et de l'entrepreneuriat au ministère de l'Économie chilien. Il a également occupé le poste de commissaire du commerce du Chili à Shanghai, en Chine. En 2014, Julio Alonso a créé le bureau de Wines of Chile (WOC) en Asie, se concentrant principalement sur la Chine, avec des marchés secondaires en Corée et au Japon. Pendant son mandat, les exportations de vins fin chiliens, vendus à plus de 400 dollars américains FOB (9 litres), ont augmenté de huit fois pour atteindre 12 millions de dollars. Pendant la même période, la Chine est devenue le principal pays d'exportation pour les vins chiliens en général. Depuis 2020, M. Alonso est responsable de l'Amérique du Nord chez Wines of Chile, basé à New York, où il dirige la stratégie de premiumisation de WOC basée sur des références en matière de durabilité.
Also read: The Ambitious “Wines of Chile” Organization: An Interview with Julio Alonso. Julio Alonso Unveils Wines of Chile's Vision: From Global Prominence to Sustainability Goals.
2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards submissions is now open for domestic and international wines. Enter your Wines now to get the early bird pricing.