As 2021 comes to an end the best-of lists are rolling in! Today we’re sharing Empire distributed brands suppliers and brand partners that are being honored this year in Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s top ratings of 2021. Scroll through to browse these top products distributed by Empire: Available markets are noted in the list, and availability & pricing may vary depending on your area – ask your sales rep for more information.
Credit: winemag.com
- Social Visionary of the Year – House Wines (All Empire Markets)
- American Wine Legend – David Stare, Dry Creek Vineyard (Chattanooga, Nashville)
- Wine Region of the Year – Santa Barbara County
- Importer of the Year – Santa Margherita USA
- Spirit Brand/Distiller of the Year – Disaronno (Chattanooga, Knoxville)
- Beverage Brand of the Year – High Noon (Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Tifton, Chattanooga, Memphis, Nashville)
- Person of the Year – Marc D. Taub, Palm Bay International & Taub Family Selections
- Lifetime Achievement Award Winner – Dr. Nicolás Catena Zapata, Bodega Catena Zapata (Chattanooga)
- American Winery of the Year – Josh Cellars (Knoxville, Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, Wilmington)
- #99 Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio (Atlanta)
- #89 Colomé 2018 Estate Malbec (Atlanta, Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington)
- #57 Stags’ Leap Winery Viognier (Chattanooga, Knoxville)
- #52 Michael David Freakshow Red (Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh, Wilmington, Chattanooga)
- #19 Lieu Dit 2019 Cabernet Franc (Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Tifton)
- #15 Pieropan 2019 Soave Classico (Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Tifton)
- #11 Belle Glos 2019 Las Alturas Pinot Noir (Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Tifton, Knoxville, Raleigh, Wilmington)
- #9 Diora 2019 La Splendeur du Soleil Chardonnay (Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh, Wilmington)
- #4 The Eyrie Vineyards 2019 Estate Pinot Gris (Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Tifton)
Tequila
- ArteNOM Selección de 1414 Reposado Tequila (Nashville)
- Villa One Reposado Tequila (Chattanooga, Nashville)
- Corralejo Reposado Tequila (Knoxville)
- Partida Reposado Tequila (Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Tifton)
Whiskey, Bourbon & Scotch
- Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 Years Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Tifton)
- The Dalmore Aged 15 Years Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Tifton, Chattanooga, Memphis, Nashville)
- Glen Moray Heritage 12 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Denver, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville)
- The Glen Grant 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Knoxville)
- The Macallan Double Cask 18 Years Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Chattanooga, Knoxville)
- Aberfeldy 18 Years in Oak Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Knoxville)
- Kilbeggan Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (Knoxville)
- The Whistler Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish Irish Whiskey (Nashville)
- Peerless Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon (Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Tifton)
Vodka
- Kastra Elion Vodka (Knoxville, Nashville)
- Belvedere Heritage 176 Vodka Mixed with Malted Rye Spirit (Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Tifton)
- Purity Vodka Connoisseur 51 Reserve Organic (Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Tifton, Denver, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville)
- Prairie Organic Cucumber Flavored Vodka (Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Tifton)
Brandy
- Laird’s 10th Generation Bottled in Bond Aged 5 Years Apple Brandy (Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Tifton, Denver, Knoxville)
- Germain Robin California Alambic Brandy Aged 7 Years (Chattanooga, Nashville)
- Daron Fine Calvados (Knoxville, Nashville)
Liquor
- Bumbu Crème (Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Tifton, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville)
Congratulations to all our partners for these awards! We are proud to represent your brand and look forward to 2022 as we strive to be the very best in the industry at Building Brands and Developing People.
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All above lists were originally shared to winemag.com. To learn more about Wine Enthusiast Magazine and its review policies, visit winemag.com.