Stew's Wine Shop National Retailer of the Year

STEW LEONARD’S NAMED 2011

WINE RETAILER OF THE YEAR BY WINE ENTHUSIAST MAGAZINE

Stew Leonard’s has been named Wine Retailer of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, one of the highest forms of recognition in the wine industry.  

 “Stew Leonard’s is a great choice for our Retailer of the Year,” noted Adam M. Strum, Editor and Publisher Wine Enthusiast Magazine.  “Their legendary customer service and great pricing, combined with a great selection of wines, creates a friendly, affordable entry point into wine for customers not really comfortable with such purchases. And there’s plenty for the more experienced wine lover as well.”

Stew Leonard’s Wines was given the award in recognition of their commitment to customer service, Team Member training, and their offerings of unique and innovative products at competitive prices.  Each store offers an exciting depth and breadth of collection and features excellent signage suggesting food and wine pairings, tasting notes, and history, as well as an environment that is comfortable and inviting for wine lovers of all levels.  With this award, Stew Leonard’s Wines joins the ranks of past winners on this prestigious list, including Sherry-Lehmann and Spec's Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods. 

 Stew Leonard, Jr., President and CEO, says, “I’ve learned a lot about food and retailing from my father.  When the wine business was first starting up in 1999, we visited many wine retailers here in the US, including our friends at Applejack and Total Wine, as well as around the world, and we’ve shared ideas.  They’ve helped us a lot.  It’s been exciting for us to take our food and farming background and add wine.  Today customers come into the stores asking ‘What wine should I serve with my steak, lobster, turkey or pizza?’  It’s nice to make them smile. 

 “The team at Stew Leonard’s Wines is so honored to have been named Retailer of the Year, especially because we’ll be sharing the stage this year at the Wine Star Awards dinner with Palm Bay CEO David Taub, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award,” continued Leonard.  “He introduced us to the wine business and we credit much of our success back to him.”   

Managers and buyers at each store location visit wineries, trade shows and major tasting events around the globe to learn more about the wines and find exciting values for the customers.  More than 200 Team Members have attended training classes over the past year, and top-tier wine makers are invited to teach classes, educational seminars, and even lead in-store customer tastings.  The stores also attract some of the most notable names in food and wine for tastings and events, including Martha Stewart, celebrated chefs Giada DeLaurentiis and Bobby Flay, restaurateurs Lidia Bastianich and Mario Batali, Rao’s owner Frank Pellegrino, actress and wine entrepreneur Lorraine Bracco, actor Danny DeVito, and Steve Schirripa on behalf of Sopranos Wines.

Each year, the editors of Wine Enthusiast Magazine honor outstanding achievement in the wine world, in that given year and over time. In addition to Retailer of the Year, other categories recognized are Winemaker of the Year, Restaurateur of the Year, American Winery of the Year, Importer of the Year and a Lifetime Achievement Award.  The winners will be announced in the magazine’s December 15th issue, and the honorees will be presented their awards at a gala black-tie dinner in New York City on January 30, 2012.

 About Stew Leonard's Wines
Stew Leonard's Wines is a customer-driven wine retailer, providing consumers with quality wines at great prices, world-class customer service and a pleasant shopping experience that takes the intimidation factor out of selecting wines. Each Stew Leonard's Wines shop is independently owned and operated, with three stores in Connecticut, three in New York and three in New Jersey.  Stew Leonard's Wines are not a chain or cooperative buying group and are not part of the Stew Leonard’s grocery chain. Each store purchases product separately. Prices may vary between stores.