Jason Milburn 

Director of Adult Beverages 

The Kroger Co. 

Cincinnati, Ohio

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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 

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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

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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

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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

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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 

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

 LEADERS CHOICE AWARDS 

Alan Dreeben  

Partner 

Republic National Distributing Co. 

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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.

Casamigos  
Casamigos Spirits Co. (Diageo)

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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

Decoy by Duckhorn 

Duckhorn Wine Co. 

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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.

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Accepting Award:

Alex Ryan, President & CEO

Skrewball 

Infinium Spirits

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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.

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Accepting Award:

Brittany Merrill Yeng & 
Steven Yeng, Founders

The Palm by
Whispering Angel 

Moët Hennessy USA

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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.

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Accepting Award:

Seth Kaufman, President & CEO