2019 James Beard Awards Semifinalists Announced

The James Beard Foundation today announced the semifinalists for the 2019 James Beard Awards. Each group represents a short list of potential nominees for categories such as best restaurant and best chef, with finalists to be announced on Wednesday, March 27.

While inclusion in any category deserves huge recognition, it’s the beverage awards we’re most interested in. So, without further ado, here are the semifinalists for this year’s Outstanding Wine Program; Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional; and Outstanding Bar Program, as per the James Beard Foundation press release:

Outstanding Wine Program (Presented by Robert Mondavi Winery)

Bacchanal, New Orleans, La.
The Bachelor Farmer, Minneapolis
Bar Marco, Pittsburgh
Benu, San Francisco
The Butcher Shop, Boston
Cote, NYC
element 47 at the Little Nell, Aspen, Colo.
Great China, Berkeley, Calif.
Davenport, Portland, Ore.
haley.henry, Boston
Income Tax, Chicago
L’Oursin, Seattle
Lucky Palace, Bossier City, La.
Miller Union, Atlanta
Night + Market, Los Angeles
Ops, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse at the Galleria, Houston
Spiaggia, Chicago
Stems & Skins, North Charleston, S.C.
Tail Up Goat, Washington, DC

Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Producer

An Bui, Mekong and The Answer Brewpub, Richmond, Va.
Cathy Corison, Corison Winery, St. Helena, Calif.
Rutger de Vink, RdV Vineyards, Delaplane, Va.
Dave Green, Skagit Valley Malting, Burlington, Wash.
Deirdre Heekin, La Garagista, Bethel, Vt.
Nancy Irelan, Red Tail Ridge Winery, Penn Yan, N.Y.
Drew Kulsveen, Willett Distillery, Bardstown, Ky.
Todd Leopold and Scott Leopold, Leopold Bros., Denver
Sean Lilly Wilson, Fullsteam Brewery, Durham, N.C.
Ann Marshall and Scott Blackwell, High Wire Distilling Co., Charleston, S.C.
Steve Matthiasson, Matthiasson Wines, Napa, Calif.
Kim McPherson, McPherson Cellars, Lubbock, Texas
Meredith Meyer Grelli, Wigle Whiskey, Pittsburgh
Yoshihiro Sako, Den Sake Brewery, Oakland, Calif.
Jordan Salcito, Ramona, NYC
Mike Sauer, Red Willow Vineyard, Wapato, Wash.
Jeffrey Stuffings, Jester King Brewery, Austin
Rob Tod, Allagash Brewing Company, Portland, Maine
Mhairi Voelsgen, broVo Spirits, Woodinville, Wash.
Lance Winters, St. George Spirits, Alameda, Calif.