Sommeliers of the Year
Rajat Parr: RN74, San Francisco
Why he won: Because his 2,500-bottle list not only includes 47 pages of verticals from Burgundy's top producers but also a seasonally changing selection of 100 excellent, diverse choices for $100 or less, like a Slovenian Riesling.
Photo © Ethan Hill
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Stephanie Caraway: Chef's Table, Iowa City, IA
Why she won: Because she finds amazing wine values from southern France.
Photo © Cathy Kovach
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Greg Engert: Birch & Barley, Washington, DC
Why he won: Because he's bringing the same seriousness to beer that other sommeliers bring to wine, sourcing 555 artisanal brews (500 in bottles, 50 on tap, five cask-pumped).
Photo © Powers and Crewe
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John Wabeck: Inox, McLean, VA
Why he won: Because he's compiled an incredibly thoughtful, food-friendly list that's heavy on Burgundy.
Photo © www.kochfoto.com
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Emilie Garvey: Sho Shaun Hergatt, New York City
Why she won: Because she's created a beautifully edited list of small-production wines.
Photo © Rebecca Stepler
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Ercolino Crugnale: Jory at the Allison Inn, Newberg, OR
Why he won: Because his list has the perfect balance of local Oregon wines and terrific selections from the rest of the world.
Photo courtesy of The Allison Inn & Spa
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David Mokha: Hakkasan, Miami Beach, FL
Why he won: Because he tastes through thousands of bottles to find wines that will work with every dish on the refined family-style Chinese menu at Hakkasan, a branch of Alan Yau's vaunted London restaurant.
Photo courtesy of Hakkasan Restaurant