VINEPAIR
NEXT WAVE
AWARDS
Introducing the 2024
Next Wave Awards Finalists
For the past three years, VinePair has announced the winners of its annual Next Wave Awards each October to celebrate the individuals and organizations driving the drinks industry to be more imaginative, sustainable, and all-around better for everyone in it.
This year, the talent within the community was too immense to ignore, and that meant recognizing even more people and brands for the incredible work they do. Here, we’re pleased to announce our Next Wave Award Finalists, a group of talented professionals and organizations across wine, beer, and spirits shaping the future of drinks. From this list, one finalist from each category will be selected as its winner and featured in our Next Wave Awards package on October 17.
BARTENDER OF THE YEAR
Sara Chaudhuri, Bresca, Washington, D.C. Ramsey Musk, Accomplice Bar, Los Angeles Garret Richard, Sunken Harbor Club, Brooklyn
BAR PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
Fives, New Orleans Room for Improvement, Portland, Maine Shinji's, NYC
DRINKS PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Erick Castro Ivy Mix
Suwincha "Chacha" Singsuwan
FOOD & BEVERAGE PROGRAM
OF THE YEAR
Brasero, Chicago Lita, Aberdeen, N.J. Theodora, Brooklyn
SPIRITS BRAND OF THE YEAR
Compass Box Whisky Co.
New Riff Distilling
Tequila Ocho
MASTER DISTILLER OF THE YEAR
Marianne Eaves, Forbidden Bourbon Christian Krogstad, Krogstad Aquavit Jorge "Tony" Salles, El Tequileño Tequila
WINERY OF THE YEAR
Division Winemaking Company, Ore. Outward Wines, Calif. Pray Tell Wines, Pa.
WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR
Marin Brennan, Bedell Cellars Dan Petroski, Massican Wines Maya Hood White, Early Mountain Vineyards
WINE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Athena Bochanis
Lee Campbell
Danielle Norris
SOMMELIER OF THE YEAR
Max Eddy, Lord's, NYC Eun Hee Kwon, Saga, NYC Terry McNeese, Dear Margaret, Chicago
RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Cool Vines
Tahona Mercado
Seelbach's
BREWER OF THE YEAR
Derek Gallanosa, GOAL Brewing Averie Swanson, Keeping Together Sam Zermeño, Brujos Brewing
BREWERY OF THE YEAR
Bow & Arrow Brewing Co., Albuquerque, N.M. Human Robot Brewery, Philadelphia Sacred Profane Brewery, Biddeford, Maine
RISING DRINKS BRAND OF THE YEAR
Faccia Brutto Spirits
Harridan Vodka
Surfside
BAR PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
Fives, New Orleans Room for Improvement, Portland, Maine Shinji's, NYC
SPIRITS BRAND OF THE YEAR
Compass Box Whisky Co. New Riff Distilling Tequila Ocho
WINERY OF THE YEAR
Division Winemaking Company, Ore. Outward Wines, Calif. Pray Tell Wines, Pa.
WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR
Marin Brennan, Bedell Cellars Dan Petroski, Massican Wines Maya Hood White, Early Mountain Vineyards
SOMMELIER OF THE YEAR
Max Eddy, Lord’s, NYC Eun Hee Kwon, Saga, NYC Terry McNeese, Dear Margaret, Chicago
RETAILER OF THE YEAR
CoolVines
Tahona Mercado
Seelbach's
BREWER OF THE YEAR
Derek Gallanosa, GOAL. Brewing Averie Swanson, Keeping Together Sam Zermeño, Brujos Brewing
BREWERY OF THE YEAR
Bow & Arrow Brewing Co., Albuquerque, N.M. Human Robot Brewery, Philadelphia Sacred Profane Brewery, Biddeford, Maine
DRINKS PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Erick Castro Ivy Mix Suwincha “Chacha” Singsuwan
FOOD & BEVERAGE PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
Brasero, Chicago Lita, Aberdeen, N.J. Theodora, Brooklyn
MASTER DISTILLER OF THE YEAR
Marianne Eaves, Forbidden Bourbon Christian Krogstad, Krogstad Aquavit Jorge “Tony” Salles, El Tequileño Tequila
WINE PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Athena Bochanis Lee Campbell Danielle Norris
RISING DRINKS BRAND OF THE YEAR
Faccia Brutto Spirits Harridan Vodka Surfside