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BROWSE BANQUET GALLERY

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 A YEAR WHEN RETAILERS FACED UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES 

As the nation confronted Covid-19, with cities shut down and restaurants and bars closed, America's beverage alcohol retailers met the rising demand for wine & spirits. MARKET WATCH LEADERS were at the forefront of delivering on the surge in off-premise as consumers isolated at home. 

 VIDEO STATEMENT FROM THE PUBLISHER 

Marvin R. Shanken
Publisher 
Market Watch 

New York, NY

 

On 37 Years of Honoring

Retail Leaders 

LEADERS 2020

CELEBRATING THE BEST OF THE BEST IN WINE & SPIRITS RETAILING.

RETAILER OF THE YEAR

 THE EDITORS OF MARKET WATCH SELECT ONE LEADERS ALUMNUS EVERY YEAR FOR THIS HONOR. 

Christian Navarro 

President & Principal 

Wally’s Wine & Spirits 

Los Angeles, California

​

2016 Leader Christian Navarro excels in Los Angeles by providing access to the good life, filling his stores with the best products to create an accessible, upscale experience. 

CLASS OF 2020

 MARKET WATCH NAMES A NEW CLASS OF RETAIL “LEADERS,” WHO JOIN THE RANKS OF NORTH AMERICA’S BEST. 

Jason Milburn 

Director of Adult Beverages 

The Kroger Co. 

Cincinnati, Ohio

​

Jason Milburn is raising the quality, widening the selection, and elevating the pricing of beverage alcohol at Kroger locations all over the U.S.  

Jeremy Noye    

CEO
Morrell & Co. 

New York, NY 

​

Morrell & Co. CEO Jeremy Noye has reconnected the decades-old company with its roots while keeping it on the cutting edge. 

Jonathan S. Blue  

Owner 

Blue Equity (Liquor Barn, Party Mart, DEP’s Fine Wine & Spirits)

Louisville, Kentucky

​

With 20 stores in Kentucky, Jonathan Blue jumped on technology early and has seen the move pay off as consumer buying habits have changed. 

Tim Holden   

Chairman 

Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

​

Tim Holden is leading the team at the PLCB toward modernization, leveraging digital advertising, marketing,
and e-commerce. 

Peter Granoff and
Debbie Zachareas 

Owners and Partners 

Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant & Wine Bar, Mission Bay Wine & Cheese, Oxbow Cheese & Wine Merchant 

San Francisco and Napa, California

​

Peter Granoff and Debbie Zachareas curate a high-end wine & spirits selection at their Napa Valley and San Francisco stores. 

Peggy Perry  

President 

Willow Park Wines & Spirits 

Calgary, Alberta, Canada 

​

Peggy Perry has grown Willow Park Wines & Spirits into the biggest privately held beverage alcohol business in Canada. 

 LEADERS CHOICE AWARDS 

 VOTED ON BY OVER 200 ACTIVE LEADERS, WHO RESPONDED TO A SURVEY. 

INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

Alan Dreeben  

Partner 

Republic National Distributing Co. 

​

One of the great pioneers in establishing wine as a part of the American lifestyle, Alan Dreeben has been part of the industry’s second tier for more than half a century.

Alan Dreeben, surprised by news of the honor. 

 SPIRITS BRAND OF THE YEAR 

Casamigos  
Casamigos Spirits Co. (Diageo)

​

After bursting onto the scene in 2013, Casamigos has maintained its hold on the super-premium Tequila category and experienced robust upward momentum.

Accepting Award:

Adam Rosen, Executive Vice President

WINE BRAND OF THE YEAR 

Decoy by Duckhorn 

Duckhorn Wine Co. 

​

Decoy by Duckhorn has snowballed significantly since its initial refocus a decade ago. Its target is well-educated consumers who will pay a bit more for a high-quality bottle of wine.

​

Accepting Award:

Alex Ryan, President & CEO

 BEST NEW PRODUCT AWARDS 

Skrewball 

Infinium Spirits

​

Skrewball Peanut Butter whiskey has seen exponential growth since husband-and-wife team Steven Yeng and Brittany Merrill Yeng launched the brand in San Diego two years ago.

​

Accepting Award:

Brittany Merrill Yeng & 
Steven Yeng, Founders

The Palm by
Whispering Angel 

Moët Hennessy USA

​

If rosé is called the entry point into wine, The Palm can surely be called the entry point into rosé. It was created to appeal to millennials and Gen-Z consumers.

​

Accepting Award:

Seth Kaufman, President & CEO

 LEADERS ALUMNI AWARDS 

 HONORING LEADERS ALUMNI WHO CONTINUE TO RAISE THE BAR, INSPIRE INNOVATION, AND GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. 

BEST MARKETING AWARD

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Jason Fremstad  

Vice President of Adult Beverage
Bentonville, Arkansas

​

2013 Leader Jason Fremstad is 

offering more variety and changing
the way beverage alcohol is 

merchandised at Walmart. 

BEST WEBSITE AWARD

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Adithya Bethena   

Owner 

Super Buy-Rite Wine & Liquor 

Jersey City, NJ 

​

2013 Leader Adithya Bathena’s 

Super Buy Rite website has become 

increasingly important in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. ​

 COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD 

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Chan Cox & Robert Montgomery    

Owners 

Wine World 

Destin, Florida

​

2018 Leaders and Wine World partners Chan Cox and Robert Montgomery have spearheaded and supported events that have raised millions for at-need community members.

 FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF RETAILERS OF THE YEAR, CLICK HERE.

 FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF LEADERS ALUMNI, CLICK HERE.

 VIEW MARKET WATCH LEADERS 2020 ISSUE 

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 THANK YOU TO OUR ADVERTISING PARTNERS 

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