What SWA winners say about the competition

“Each year the Sommelier Wine Awards raises the bar, giving us the opportunity to have our wines judged by somms, for somms. Success in these awards can certainly help elevate awareness and appreciation of our premium wines. For our business, to be recognised as the go-to supplier of European wines to sommeliers in consecutive years with the SWA European Merchant of the Year, is a huge honour for us.”

Andrew Bewes, Managing Director, Hallgarten & Novum Wines

“We’re thrilled to have been recognised for our new world wines because it’s going to give sommeliers who traditionally buy our old world SWA winning wines the confidence to look at our new world portfolio.”

Tim Tweedy, director of business development; Luciann Flynn, communications director, Liberty Wines

“We really feel SWA is the award competition that can impact our sales directly.”

Melodie Konforti, managing director, Top Selection

“The SWA award has created a lot of new interest in Toppesfield Vineyard, from social media following to establishing a number of new trade accounts varying from a regional supermarket chain to a luxury spa hotel.”

Peter Moore, owner, Toppesfield Vineyard

“The opportunity to have our wines judged by the people for whom we choose them is of especial value. Success in these awards is the strongest and most relevant endorsement we could wish for.”

Alex Hunt MW, purchasing director, Berkmann

“One of the most important factors for us in judging our success is the opinion of those serving our wines in the on-trade. We are served in many of the best restaurants around the world and SWA is a great support in achieving this.”

Tamara Roberts, CEO, Ridgeview

“When we started doing SWA it was a game-changer for us. One of our wines won a House Wine of the Year Award, and we had people who we'd never heard of picking up the phone to ask for it.”

Kevin Pollard, sales director, Boutinot