The International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association’s prestigious award recognizes the best of the best in wines, brews, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages around the world.

The International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association’s (IFWTWA) Excellence Awards program recognizes the world’s finest culinary, travel and tourism industry professionals as experienced by the organization’s journalist members. Gérard Bertrand of Gérard Bertrand Wines in Narbonne, France earned IFWTWA’s Beverage Excellence Award. The wines bearing the Gérard Bertrand signature share a common identity: balance and elegance; they truly express the thoughtfulness of the winemaker and the South of France terroir. Gérard Bertrand produces four levels to meet the needs of the different segments in the US market.

The award nomination was carefully evaluated and recommended by IFWTWA’s Excellence Awards Committee and approved by IFWTWA’s Board of Directors.

According to the IFWTWA member journalist who nominated Mr. Bertrand for recognition: “Gérard Bertrand inherited his passion for wine and his love for the Languedoc region in the South of France from his father Georges, a legendary leader in the French wine industry. While continuing his father’s legacy, his own vision is to develop the full potential of the Languedoc by becoming the number one reference in the region for quality wines. Dedicated to the Mediterranean lifestyle Gérard has expanded what his father started and now owns five estates in the best wine regions of the Languedoc. Each of those estates is focused on carbon neutral, organic, sustainable vineyards. With the purchase of the fourth estate, Château l’Hospitalet in 2002, his company took on a new element, that of ecotourism. L’Hospitalet is a beautiful estate looking down onto the sea; it is also the group’s head office, and a place dedicated to Mediterranean lifestyle and wine-growing culture through the development of a large eco-friendly tasting room, hotel, gift shops and an annual jazz festival. Over 200,000 people a year come to the property to drink the premium wines.”

“We are proud to give Gérard Bertrand this award,” says Maralyn Hill, IFWTWA President. “He demonstrates the professional standards that represent the best in the wine and ecotourism industries. Mr. Bertrand and other professionals in his class raise the bar in these industries worldwide.”

www.gerardbertrandwines.com

The International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association’s prestigious award recognizes the best of the best in destination marketing around the world.

The International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association’s (IFWTWA) Excellence Awards program recognizes the world’s finest travel and tourism industry professionals as experienced by the organization’s journalist members. Erin Osborne of GreenRubino, a Public Relations firm based in Seattle, Washington, earned IFWTWA’s Award of Excellence in Destination Marketing for her exemplary efforts and professionalism in working with journalists to promote the clients she represents.

According to the IFWTWA member journalist who nominated Ms. Osborne for recognition: “Erin arranged an amazing individualized press trip for an assignment I have and included a number of other attractions that fit with the publications I write for. She gets the details right and leaves nothing to question. She’s caring and responsive and truly deserving of this award.”

The award nomination was carefully evaluated and recommended by IFWTWA’s Excellence Awards Committee and the award approved by IFWTWA’s Board of Directors.

“As a winner of an IFWTWA Excellence Award, Ms. Osborne demonstrates the professional standards that represent the best in the industry,” says Maralyn Hill, IFWTWA President. “She and other professionals in her class raise the bar in the public relations field worldwide.”

www.greenrubino.com

The International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association’s prestigious award recognizes the best of the best in destination marketing around the world.

The International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association’s (IFWTWA) Excellence Awards program recognizes the world’s finest travel and tourism industry professionals as experienced by the organization’s journalist members. Kirsten Andresen of GreenRubino, a Public Relations firm based in Seattle, Washington, earned IFWTWA’s Award of Excellence in Destination Marketing for her exemplary efforts and professionalism in working with journalists to promote the clients she represents.

According to the IFWTWA member journalist who nominated Ms. Andresen for recognition: “Kirsten is extremely proactive, flexible and adopts a ‘we can make it happen’ approach with media—a win-win for both media and her clients. I have placed several stories about Kirsten’s clients, and she has been engaged and instrumental in facilitating every step of the process.”

The award nomination was carefully evaluated and recommended by IFWTWA’s Excellence Awards Committee and the award approved by IFWTWA’s Board of Directors.

“Winners of the IFWTWA Excellence Award demonstrate the professional standards that represent the best in the industry,” says Maralyn Hill, IFWTWA President. “Ms. Andresen and other professionals in her class create the benchmark in public relations worldwide.”

www.greenrubino.com

The International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association’s prestigious award recognizes the best of the best in wines, brews, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages around the world.

Marcia Green at Cashmere Cider Mill, photo by Roger Ward

The International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association’s (IFWTWA) Excellence Awards program recognizes the world’s finest culinary, travel and tourism industry professionals as experienced by the organization’s journalist members. Marcia Green, Certified Culinary Tourism Professional and owner of Cashmere Cider Mill, Tasting Room & Guest Suites in Cashmere, Washington—the heart of the state’s renowned apple growing region—earned IFWTWA’s Beverage Excellence Award. Her handcrafted line of non-alcoholic Lady Blush Artisan Ciders and her exemplary commitment to regional culinary tourism make Ms. Green well qualified for this award.

The award nomination was carefully evaluated and recommended by IFWTWA’s Excellence Awards Committee and approved by IFWTWA’s Board of Directors.

According to the IFWTWA member journalist who nominated Ms. Green for recognition: “Marcia has transformed a derelict fruit processing property into a model of culinary tourism. Her flagship product is her line of Lady Blush Artisan Ciders (non-alcoholic), which contains only the highest quality premium cider apples. She creates several blends with natural huckleberry, lavender, cherry and other fruits. Like fine wines, they pair well with food or can be enjoyed simply as a refreshment. Her product is grown, bottled and sold in the heart of Washington’s richest apple growing region, the Wenatchee Valley. Glass bottles and state-of-the-art processing give her ciders a two-year shelf life. In addition, Marcia has built upon the notoriety of her products to expand into culinary tourism. Not only must customers come to the Wenatchee Valley to purchase her product, but she is a Certified Culinary Tourism Professional and has launched a week-long workshop titled “Discover Heirloom Cuisine.” This all-inclusive intensive educational/leisure experience includes gathering heirloom produce from the source, cooking lessons, lodging at the orchards, and field trips to local artisan food producers. Marcia is passionate about heirloom foods and culinary tourism and exemplifies the drive, personal commitment and leadership necessary to not only produce an excellent product, but launch a tourism venture that showcases her region’s best culinary assets.”

“We are proud to give Marcia Green this award,” says Maralyn Hill, IFWTWA President. “She demonstrates the professional standards that represent the best in both the beverage industry and the local food movement. Ms. Green and other professionals in her class raise the bar in the artisan beverage and culinary tourism industries worldwide.”

http://www.gourmetcider.com/