Voices of the Industry, Chosen by the Industry: Imprint Awards
Semifinalists Announced – Public Voting Now Open
July 24, 2025 (San Diego, CA) — SommCon is proud to announce the semifinalists for the 2025 Imprint Awards, a new honors program created to recognize the people and organizations making a meaningful impact on the beverage industry. Public voting to determine finalists is now open through August 9, 2025.
The Imprint Awards shine a spotlight on the individuals, organizations, and ideas shaping the future of wine and spirits – celebrating leadership, innovation, and the strength of our community. From rising talent to seasoned leaders, the awards honor those moving the industry forward with heart, purpose, and vision.
After an open call for nominations, the SommCon Advisory Board reviewed all nominees and selected a group of semifinalists in each category:
Sommelier of the Year
Donald Clement
Karl Kuhn
Pascaline Lepeltier
Natalie Martinez
Luis Rojas
Adam Seguin
Aldo Sohm
Mia Van de Water
Dustin Wheeler
Emerging Leader Award
William Cooper
Legacy Gamble
Jeremy Ligon
Adam Sequin
Carrie Searl
Kriis Alyse Wilson
Imprint Award
Yannick Benjamin
Robert Cavanaugh
Gaia Gaja
Joe Gallo
David Glancy
Randall Grahm
Patrick Henry
Dan Kosta
Tonya Pitts
Jancis Robinson
Innovation Award
Elizabeth Boyd, 86 Harassment Initiative
Jason Haas, Tablas Creek Vineyard
Santiago Navarro, Packamama
Roberto Rinaldini, Wineemotion
Remy Sabiani, WinePulse
Christy Serrato, PairAnything
Bridge Award
Association of African American Vintners Symposium
Boise State
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Capital Wine School
Mt. San Jacinto College
Napa Valley Wine Academy
Sake School of America
San Francisco Wine School
University of California, Davis
Wine Smarties
Voice of the Industry
Maryam Ahmed
Deborah Brenner
Vanessa Cominksy
Julia Coney
Casey Graybehl
Tahiirah Habibi
Ray Isle
Cha McCoy
Cristie Norman
Rafael Peterson
Each nominee reflects the values that fuel SommCon: community, education, integrity, and a genuine commitment to moving the industry forward.
Finalists will be determined by public vote. Voting closes on August 9. Winners are selected by a weighted score, 40% public vote and 60% SommCon Advisory Board evaluation, and announced at the Imprint Awards Ceremony at SommCon Conference & Beverage Expo on September 9, 2025.
Place a vote at: https://sommconusa.com/imprint-awards/
Brands interested in presenting an award can email Michelle at metter@fastforwardevents.com.
ABOUT SOMMCON
SommCon® is the premier gathering for professionals in the wine, beer, and spirits industry, offering unparalleled opportunities for education, networking, and career development. SommCon Conference & Beverage Expo offers a comprehensive program of wine and spirits education, professional development, mentorship and networking opportunities, and a vibrant marketplace showcasing domestic and international producers of wine, beer, spirits, and brands in the low and no alcohol category. SommCon produces Concours d’Spirits and Concours d’Vin, impartial competitions of domestic and international wines and spirits, in partnership with The SOMM Journal, and SommGo, an on-demand streaming service featuring educational content for the global wine, beer, and spirits industry. SommCon is produced by Fast Forward, an event management and media company that specializes in consumer and business events in wine, beer, spirits, culinary, and hospitality.
