Wine Enthusiast: A Wine Star Awards Gala to Remember

(WineMag) - Not even a chilling polar vortex dimmed the excitement surrounding Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s 14th annual Wine Star Awards gala on January 27, 2014, at The New York Public Library—an event that honors outstanding achievements of leaders in the world of wine and spirits.

Nearly 500 hundred guests in black-tie attire gathered at the historic Fifth Avenue venue to fete the industry’s innovators, visionaries and luminaries.

Master of Ceremonies, Adam Strum—Chairman of Wine Enthusiast Companies and editor and publisher of Wine Enthusiast Magazine—kicked off the evening with a warm welcome and a tribute to Peter Mondavi Sr., recipient of the American Wine Legend award. As president of Napa Valley’s historic Charles Krug Winery, Mondavi has made invaluable contributions to the wine industry during his 38 years at the helm. To accept the award on his behalf was his great grandnephew Robert Mondavi Jr.

Sommelier of the Year went to Alpana Singh of Chicago’s The Boarding House, who emphatically spoke about the incredible mentors who helped propel her on her wine career. Meanwhile, Retailer of the Year was awarded to Kroger Co., whose integration of wine and food in their expansive stores has helped democratize wine. Kysela Père et Fils accepted the Wine Star Award for Importer of the Year.