The French Consulate Bestowed the Ordre National du Mérite for Contribution to French Culture to Leading Wine Authority
NEW YORK, June 7, 2023 – On Tuesday, May 30, at a private ceremony held at Restaurant Daniel in New York, Daniel Johnnes, known for his decades-long career as a leading wine authority, was recognized for spreading the renown of France’s winegrowing culture and its values of conviviality and humanism. The Consulate General of France, M. Jérémie Robert, pinned the Ordre Nationale du Mérite medal on Johnnes in front of friends, family and other hospitality luminaries. The Ordre du Mérite is France’s second highest civilian decoration after the Légion d’Honneur, reserved for individuals who have made distinguished contributions to the French Republic.
Founder of Pressoir and the acclaimed wine festivals, La Paulée, La Tablée New York, and La Fête du Champagne, through which he and his team present the wines and winemakers of Burgundy, the Rhône Valley and Champagne, respectively, Johnnes has devoted his career to inspiring and educating others on French wine and culture. With this honor, the French government recognized Johnnes’ work in the cultural exchange between France and the U.S. to raise awareness around these wine regions. As testimony to the success of his work, Johnnes and his team have been credited with increasing demand for Burgundy’s wines in the U.S. thanks to creating La Paulée in the U.S, which is inspired by Burgundy’s own La Paulée de Meursault.
Under the auspices of Pressoir, Johnnes furthers his mission of sharing French wine and culture through a myriad of wine experiences for all wine lovers to explore the range of producers and wine styles from each region. To support young sommeliers to develop their own knowledge and passion for French wine and culture, the Pressoir team also formed the non-profit Sommelier Scholarship Fund, and also support such charitable organizations as the Roots Fund.
“It has been a great honor to champion the wines and culture of France throughout my career, and this recognition by the French government is really the icing on the cake!” says Johnnes. “I look forward to continuing this mission to celebrate and share what I love about this world of wine and its values of hospitality, authenticity, and community.”
