The 2005 Wine Literary Award Tasting and Banquet — Friday, April 29. Andrea (Immer) Robinson Honored at Gala Event 2005 Press Tasting Winery Winners 2005 Press Tasting Photos The 2007 Wine Literary Award Tasting The 2006 Wine Literary Award Tasting The 2004 Wine Literary Award Tasting The 2003 Wine Literary Award Tasting General Information Previous Wine Literary Award Winners Previous Press Tasting Winery Winners Frequently Asked Questions Andrea (Immer) Robinson Honored at Gala Event San Francisco CA (May 2, 2005)………On Friday, April 29 at the California Culinary Academy of San Francisco, with, collectively, 190 winemakers, winery owners and wine writers looking on, Andrea Robinson received the Wine Literary Award for “exceptional contribution to the literature of wine.”. In her acceptance speech she recalled her past as an investment banker, and the day she dropped Wall Street and began a career that would eventually lead to one of the most influential in American wine writing. But, as always, she was modest: “I hope to one day write the books to justify this honor.” Keynote speaker Dan Berger said of Andrea Robinson, “She’s exactly what the industry needs. Wine is more a reflection of her, than she is a reflection of wine.” Andrea Robinson’s first book, Great Wine Made Simple, was an enormous success, and quickly established her as one of America’s top wine writers. She has since published, Andrea Immer’s Wine Buying Guide for Everyone (published in 2002 and updated annually), Great Tastes Made Simple (2002), and her most recent book, Everyday Dining With Wine (2004). She also has the regular attention of 700,000 monthly readers in her Esquire Magazine, and Health Magazine columns. Outside of Andrea Robinson’s literary outlets she also has a weekly TV program called, “Simply Wine,” airing on the Fine Living Network. Previous WLA winners include Hugh Johnson, Robert Parker, Dan Berger, Harry Waugh, Robert Thompson, Leon Adams, Jancis Robinson, Tom Stevenson, Gerald Asher, Gene Ford, James Halliday, Michael Broadbent and Robert Lawrence Balzer. The Wine Literary Award is a two-part event: a daytime press-only tasting of over 1,000 American wines, followed by the evening grand tasting and award banquet. The Wine Literary Award is a rare opportunity for American vintners to present their premier wines to the members of the international press without paying a penny for entry fees. The event is entirely subsidized by The Wine Appreciation Guild in recognition of wine authors and their importance to the wine industry. At the press tasting over 80 international journalist and writers voted for “Best New Winery,” “Best Wine Discovery, Red and White” “Best Package/Label.” and “Best of Show, Red and White.” The 2005 Wine Literary Award Press Tasting Winners Best Wine Discovery (Red) Winner: De La Montanya 2003 Reserve Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley Finalists: XYZin 2003 Zinfandel, Sandy Lane Vineyard, Contra Costa County Silkwood 2002 Petite Sirah, Stanislaus County Best Wine Discovery (White) Winner: Mount Baker Vineyards 2003 Viognier, Washington Finalists: Becker Vineyards 2004 Chardonnay, Texas Williamsburg 2002 Chardonnay, Virginia Best New Winery Winner: Harmonique, Anderson Valley, California Finalists: Keswick Vineyards, Virginia Q, Napa Valley Best Package/Label Winner: Laurel Lake “Creedence”, Long Island Finalists: Viansa 2002 “Lorenzo”, Sonoma Valley Niebaum Coppola 2004 “Sofia” Rose’ of Pinot Noir, Carneros Best Of Show (Red) Winner: Kunde Estate, Reserve Cabernet, 2001, Reserve, Sonoma Valley Finalists: Franciscan 2001 “Magnificat”, Napa Valley Silvan Ridge, 2002 Pinot Noir, Oregon Best Of Show (White) Winner: Paul Hobbs, Chardonnay, 2003 Russian River Valley Finalists: St. Supery 2004, “Dollarhide” Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley Matanzas Creek 2002 Sauvignon Blanc, California 2005 Press Tasting Photos For photos of the 2005 Wine Literature Awards Press Tasting please visit: http://homepage.mac.com/winecountrynetwork/PhotoAlbum56.html Back to News Home Page