There’s an exciting new wine awards program launching! Founded by Laura Huston, the Belle and Bottle Wine Awards program is to take place for the first time in 2022. Not only does the program highlight top wines. It intends to give women a platform to share their expertise and elevate one another.

Since I started my own business providing social media and marketing services to the wine industry, one of the joys is that I never know what kind of project will come my way. When Laura asked me to join the advisory panel for the awards program, I couldn’t refuse. After all, when I hosted virtual tastings in 2020 Laura backed me 100% and provided wine through her Belle and Bottle online shop. (By the way, the Food and Wine Magazine named Belle and Bottle Wine Club one of the best wine clubs in America!) It also probably doesn’t hurt that this isn’t my first involvement with a wine awards program.

As someone who did not receive a lot of support when I entered the wine industry, I do what I can to raise up other women I meet along the way. Laura’s concept to “create a wine competition that empowers women, be they consumers or working in the industry” is something I can get behind. Furthermore, there is an underlying goal to form a diverse tasting panel and to tap into women from many different areas of expertise and jobs within the wine industry. If that sounds like something you’d like to support, too, perhaps you’d like to be a sponsor?

Save the Date for Belle and Bottle Wine Awards

Wine Awards Evaluation
May 9-11
At Chateau Lill
Woodinville, WA
Wine Submission

Grand Tasting Event
July 23
At Sparkman Cellars
Woodinville, WA
Purchase Tickets

Press Release

BELLE AND BOTTLE WINE AWARDS ANNOUNCED FOR 2022 IN THE HEART OF WASHINGTON STATE’S WOODINVILLE WINE COUNTRY
New Awards Program to Feature Tasting Panel of All Female Wine Professionals

WOODINVILLE – The Belle and Bottle Wine Awards program is taking place for the first time in 2022. Wine evaluations,  conducted by a panel of all female wine professionals, take place on May 9th. This approach to wine evaluation desires to elevate the role of women in the wine industry as well as advocate for female wine buyers whether in the trade or consumers. A consumer tasting event to highlight winning wines is to follow in July.

Women buy 80% of wine purchased in the U.S. according to a research paper published by the International Journal of Wine Business Research. Additionally, “While winery region is very important to both men and women, women rely on medals and awards more than men.”

The Belle & Bottle Difference

“We will continue with traditional awards that wine buyers have come to expect but through our special awards we will begin to call out approachable ways to assist the wine consumer,” said Laura Huston, founder of Belle & Bottle Wine Awards. “We will have the megaphone of the women who help us at the evaluation event as well as continued marketing for the year surrounding the winners through winemaker features, interviews, and social media.”

Moreover, the tasting panel will be a place to empower women in the wine industry. A diverse panel of judges from all areas of the industry with outstanding qualifications and varied experiences is sought. We will also extend invitations to women to assist with the judging. This is an excellent opportunity for those who wish to increase their skills, to learn, and be mentored by the judges. These female professionals can use their voices in this safe and supportive forum to grow together. The strength of the panel will be not only what they bring to the table but what they leave with. If they are a buyer, they have new knowledge for their restaurant or store. If they are in media, they now have new stories to tell.

Although judged solely by females, wine submissions from ALL wineries are encouraged. Registration is now open to wineries who wish to be part of this groundbreaking event and submit their wines for evaluation. The wines evaluated will have the value of a female perspective and the marketing power behind this. A yearlong marketing campaign is planned.

The tasting panel convenes for the Awards Competition May 9-11 at Chateau Lill in Woodinville.
The Grand Tasting Consumer Event: July 23 at Sparkman Cellars in Woodinville.

About Belle & Bottle Wine Awards

This awards program was conceived of by Belle & Bottle founder Laura Huston. An advisory team includes Nancy Croisier, Certified Specialist of Wine and owner of VinoSocial, MacKenna Bean a Level II Certified Sommelier and team member at Quilceda Creek and Kaleen Skersies, Sponsorship Manager. For more visit www.belleandbottleawards.com.

Contact Information:
Laura Huston
laura@belleandbottle.com
425.440.1098

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