This year marks the 25th anniversary of Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Star Awards, honoring the individuals and companies that make outstanding contributions to the wine and beverage industry. Here are the nominees across 11 categories for the 2024 Awards.
The winners of these categories will be featured in the magazine’s Best of Year issue and celebrated at our annual black-tie gala in January 2025. The winners for the American Wine Legend, Lifetime Achievement Award, American Wine Region of the Year and International (non-U.S.) Wine Region of the Year categories will be named and also honored. We salute the dedicated beverage professionals who have flourished this year.
The Process
All full-time and contributing divisions of the Wine Enthusiast media team, including sales, events, marketing and editorial, were invited to submit nominees for the 2024 Wine Star Award categories. Nominations were submitted with explanations of what made the submission appropriate for consideration. The list of potential nominees was then sent to the group for anonymous voting to cull the list down. Finalists were chosen from the culled-down list by the Executive Media team with selections based on many factors, including impact on consumers and trade in the wine, spirits or beer space; commercial successes; company/brand vision; and trendsetting.
The Wine Star Awards are an overall beverage industry awards program. While the editors are invited to participate, this is a collaborative program incorporating the input of all divisions of our company and is not solely an editorial franchise.
Person of the Year
Jean-Charles Boisset
President, Boisset Collection | St. Helena, California
Jean-Charles Boisset doesn’t need an introduction. But just in case you need a refresher, few have been as instrumental in preserving California’s wine history and pushing innovation toward sustainability at scale. As president of Boisset Collection, he has pulled together the brands showcasing the best in wine and spirits—bridging California and his native France. And in just the past few years he has launched Casa Obsidiana tequila with the Beckmann Gonzalez family; opened the now iconic JCB Tasting Salon St. Helena, which hosts unique chefs each month; bought the beloved Oakville Grocery, which he continues to elevate; and opened the 1881 Napa Museum to depict the full history of the Valley’s founding.
Importer of the Year
Jorge Ordóñez Selections
Boston, Massachusetts
If your local restaurant or wine shop offers Spanish bottles, you can likely thank Jorge Ordóñez Selections. In 1987, Jorge Ordóñez became the first specialty importer of Spanish wines to the U.S. at a time when there were very few brands available. But over the last several decades, Ordóñez has worked tirelessly to promote and educate buyers and consumers on the beauty of Spanish wine and to make it a staple on shelves and menus today.
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Click here to learn more about 1881 Napa, Owned by Jean Charles Boisset
