The Washington Wine Restaurant Awards recognize several categories of achievement each year. The Washington Wine Restaurant of the Year is the most prestigious award, while the Washington Wine Grand Award and the Washington Wine Award of Distinction each seek to commend those restaurants that designate menu and wine list space for Washington wines. Other awards honor special categories in local wine promotion. Judges evaluate restaurants on a variety of criteria, including wine list design, service and staffing, promotions and overall wine philosophy.
Each category of restaurant type will be considered for three levels of awards as judged by a group of your peers. The judges will use the criteria listed below to evaluate each entry:
Wine List
- Creativity and wine philosophy
- Wine list leads off with Washington wine category
- Wine list features a separate category for Washington wines
PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES WITH WASHINGTON WINES
- Wine dinners and/or wine tastings
- Flight promotions
- Participation in Washington Wine Month
- Frequency of in-house Washington wine promotions
WINE SERVICE AND STAFF TRAINING
- On-going wine training in place
- Regular tasting and/or testing program for staff
- Certified sommelier(s) on staff
- Supplemental Washington wine education
- Wine presentation, including type of glassware used
Merchandising
- Use of menu card, insert, chalk board or other point-of-sale materials promoting Washington wines
- Washington wine selections are showcased on daily menu
- Washington wines are paired with menu items
Judging
The judging panel includes members from:
- Washington Wine Commission
- Restaurant Industry
- Washington Wine Producers
- Washington State Restaurant Association
- Wine Marketing Professionals
- Seattle Business Monthly
Evaluation
Entries will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Wine list
- Promotional activities with Washington wines
- Wine service and staff training
Eligibility
All restaurants, bars/wine bars and private clubs serving Washington wines by the bottle or glass may self-submit an entry application.
WASHINGTON WINE RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
One restaurant will be chosen from among the winners as Washington Wine Restaurant of the Year. The winner of this annual award will be the restaurant that has promoted Washington wines above and beyond all others. These promotions must be proven and verified by appropriate documentation.
- Promotion in program advertising and publicity campaigns
- An advertisement in the Touring Washington Wine Country brochure - next edition
WASHINGTON AWARD WINNERS WILL RECEIVE
- Full-color award
- Promotion in program advertising and recognition on Washington Wine Commission Web site
- Recognition in the Touring Washingtom Wine Country brochure - next edition
ADDITIONAL AWARD CATEGORIES
- WASHINGTON WINE GRAND AWARD
- Restaurants who are considered as the industry leaders in support of the Washington wine industry.
- WASHINGTON WINE AWARD OF DISTINCTION
- Restaurants who have shown dedication and commitment to the Washington wine industry.
- WASHINGTON WINE CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION
- Restaurants who are building support of the Washington wine industry.
- ADDITIONAL CATEGORIES OF RECOGNITION INCLUDE
- If your restaurant would like to be considered for one of these awards, please provide additional material such as menus, pictures from events or Washington wine programs.
- WALTER CLORE HONORARIUM
- An individual who has demonstrated dedication to the advancement of the Washington wine industry
- WINEMAKER'S CHOICE AWARD
- MOST INNOVATIVE WINE LIST
- BEST RESTAURANT EVENT FEATURING WASHINGTON WINES
- SOMMELIER OF THE YEAR
- MOST IMPROVED WINE PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
- Please list increase in number of Washington wines
- WASHINGTON RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION AWARD
- BEST OUT-OF-STATE WASHINGTON WINE PROGRAM
- SEATTLE BUSINESS MONTHLY AWARD