Awards

The Moment Maker Award honors a supplier brand that has transcended the glass to create a cultural phenomenon. Each year, this recognition will celebrate a brand whose innovation, creativity, and consumer connection sparked a defining moment — one that captured the public’s imagination, spread virally, and left a lasting imprint on the world of wine and spirits.

This award recognizes not just excellence in brand building, but the ability to craft an experience so powerful it becomes part of the cultural conversation.

This annual award honors an individual in the wholesale tier who has gone above and beyond in their service to the beverage alcohol industry, WSWA, and the community at large across their career.

Deadline for Nominations: November 3, 2026

The Ray Herrmann H.E.R.O Award is an annual award presented to a member of the wine and spirits industry who is: A humanitarian, ethical, respectful and one-of-a-kind. Ray Herrmann was not only a beverage alcohol industry titan, but also a man of great character, ethics and philanthropy – a true humanitarian. The recipient of this award must actively display a character dedicated to integrity, philanthropy, inclusiveness and improving their community. An appointed executive selection committee will select the recipient.

Deadline for Nominations: November 3, 2026

WSWA’s 2027 Hot! New! Now! Award will be awarded to an up-and-coming craft wine, spirits or non-alc brand that is in attendance at WSWA's Access LIVE. At the show, an anonymous selection committee of WSWA members and media will walk the exhibit floor, Main Street Suites and the TASTE event, to discover new, eligible brands. Based upon presentation, engagement, tasting and other considerations, the panel of judges will deliberate and pick the winner no later than the second day of Access LIVE. The winner will be announced at during the morning session on the Main Stage on Wednesday, February 3, 2027. Brands eligible for the award must not have launched or entered the marketplace before January 1, 2024.

Past winners include Lemsecco (2026), Ette Spirits (2025), NightOwl Martini (2024), Cantadrink (2023), Skrewball Whiskey (2019), Gray Whale Gin (2018), and Bedlam Vodka (2017). Award recipients receive:

• One-year complementary SILVER-Level WSWA Associate Membership
• Award presentation in front of the industry on the Main Stage
• Recognition in WSWA's Access LIVE press release