The annual VinePair Next Wave Awards recognize spirits, wine, and beer professionals who have distinguished themselves in the past year for propelling the industry forward to a brighter, more equitable, and sustainable future. Now in its fifth year, the Next Wave Awards continue to celebrate the people and organizations creating community in their spaces, innovating in their fields, and revolutionizing drinks culture as we know it. Read on to learn more about the winners and their exceptional contributions to the drinks industry this year.
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BARTENDER OF THE YEAR
SEBASTIAN TOLLIUS
BAR PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
SCHMUCK.
DRINKS PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
MEAGHAN DORMAN
F&B PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
GUS' SIP & DIP
SPIRITS BRAND OF THE YEAR
LALO TEQUILA
WINERY OF THE YEAR
LAS JARAS
Leslie Merinoff Kwasnieski
WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR
KATY WILSON
WINE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
AMY RACINE
RETAILER OF THE YEAR
LEON & SON WINE AND SPIRITS
SOMMELIER OF THE YEAR
NIKITA MALHOTRA
BREWER OF THE YEAR
LIZ NICOL
BREWERY OF THE YEAR
BLUE JAY BREWING CO.
NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR
TURNING TABLES
RISING DRINKS BRAND OF THE YEAR
PHONY NEGRONI BY ST AGRESTIS
INDUSTRY ICON OF THE YEAR
HERBS & RYE
CREDITS
Josh Malin Adam Teeter
Co-Founders
Joanna Sciarrino
Editorial Direction
Danielle Grinberg
Creative Direction
Aaron Goldfarb Maggie Hennessy Rich Manning Tim McKirdy Pete O’Connell Hannah Staab Olivia White
Reporting & Editing
Edward Deitch
Copy Editing
Marcello Bevilacqua
Design
Lily Qian
Illustrations
Jeff Brown Julia Calleo Carolyn Fong Jess Kearney Ned Jackson Anthony Mair Jeff Marini Cathlin McCullough Shelby Moore
Photography
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DISTILLER OF THE YEAR
