Wine Enthusiast's 2010 Wine Star Awards Winners Announced

NEW YORK, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Now in its 11th year of honoring the most notable figures in the wine and spirits industry, Wine Star Awards presented by Wine Enthusiast Magazine will take place on January 24th, 2011 in the historic New York Public Library.

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The winners of the 2010 Wine Star Awards are:

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Baron Eric de Rothschild, Chateau Lafite-Rothschild
• Man of the Year: Bill Foley, Foley Family Wines
• Winemaker of the Year: Genevieve Janssens, Robert Mondavi Winery
• Retailer of the Year: Sherry-Lehmann Wine & Spirits, Chris Adams
• Restaurateur of the Year: Tyler Florence
• American Winery of the Year: J. Lohr Winery, Jerry Lohr
• European Winery of the Year: Sogrape Vinhos, Salvador Guedes
• New World Winery of the Year: Bodega Catena Zapata, Nicolas Catena
• Wine Region of the Year: Rhone, France
• Distiller of the Year: Cooper Spirits for St. Germain, Robert Cooper
• Innovator of the Year: Alain Juppe, Mayor of Bordeaux, France
• Importer of the Year: TGIC Importers, Alex Guarachi

Considered by many to be the "Academy Awards" of the wine industry, every year hundreds gather at this black tie dinner to raise a glass to the luminaries of the wine world. Master of Ceremonies Adam Strum, editor and publisher of Wine Enthusiast Magazine, will guide attendees through the proceedings, including tastings, video presentations and speeches from some of the most esteemed names in the industry as he and Wine Enthusiast editors hand the honorees their stunning Wine Star Trophies.

"This year's Wine Star Awards features 11 categories with 5 nominees each and a Lifetime Achievement Award winner," stated Adam Strum. "It is our honor and privilege to recognize these regions, companies and individuals for their dedication and passion that has helped to contribute to the continued growth of wine consumption around the world."

Wine Enthusiast is very pleased to announce that its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award this year goes to Baron Eric de Rothschild.  Baron de Rothschild is not only known as a leader in the world of finance but also owns a portfolio of illustrious wine properties including the legendary Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, the most celebrated vineyard in the world.  Under his leadership Baron de Rothschild has completely transformed Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, undertaking extensive modernization, replanting and restructuring, which ushered in continually groundbreaking vintages from 1990 to the present. 

Attendees of Wine Stars will be toasting Baron de Rothschild's achievements with his iconic wine on January 24th, 2011.

Winners of previous Wine Star Awards have included the late American legends Robert Mondavi and Ernest and Julio Gallo, renowned Italian Vintner Piero Antinori, Jess Jackson of Kendall-Jackson Estates and Philippine Rothschild of Mouton-Rothschild, among many other prestigious attendees. The Wine Star Awards will be a stunning and star-studded gala bringing together the leaders and legends of wine for one night. For more information or to reserve very limited tables and tickets please visit www.WineMag.com/WineStar

About Wine Enthusiast Companies

Wine Enthusiast Companies encompasses a portfolio of wine-related businesses:

Wine Enthusiast Catalog is the leading source for wine storage units, custom designed cellars and wine accessories via catalog, website and distribution in major wine shops and department stores across the world. www.WineEnthusiast.com

Wine Enthusiast Magazine educates and entertains readers about wine and the wine lifestyle in an accessible and user-friendly way. Published 13 times per year, the magazine's readership is more than 700,000. The magazine and its Buying Guide with more than 100,000 ratings and reviews are available online. The magazine hosts signature Wine Enthusiast events for both consumer ("Toast of the Town") and trade ("Wine Star Awards".) www.WineMag.com

SOURCE Wine Enthusiast Companies