FAQ for Restaurant Wine List Awards Renewals
After my restaurant wins an award, then what?
Each year, all previous award winners are required to resubmit their current wine list, dinner menu and entry fee, as well as an updated Listing Form and cover letter. Listing Forms and renewal notices are mailed in November. Renewals must be received between Jan. 1 and Feb. 1. We urge you to renew your Restaurant Wine List Award as early as possible to avoid potential problems. Please avoid the rush of submitting your entry on the deadline day.
Please use the payment form in the complete renewal packet (PDF)
How can I find out if my materials have been received?
With more than 4,000 entries submitted each year, we cannot reply to phone calls or e-mails requesting confirmation of received materials. Once your renewal is processed, you will be sent a confirmation e-mail to the e-mail address provided on your Listing Form. Incomplete renewals will be faxed a final notice shortly after the entry deadline.
If my wine list is in a binder, do I need to include that as well?
It is not necessary to include a binder or other cover with your wine list. Sending your list unbound will save on postage and will help us process your materials more quickly.
I have more than one restaurant with the same wine list. Do I need to renew them separately?
Yes, renewal entries for each restaurant must be submitted under separate cover letters, with their own set of materials and an entry fee for each. One set of materials submitted for several restaurants will not be accepted.
Do I still need to include a cover letter with my renewal?
Yes, even if you are renewing, you must submit a one-page cover letter on your restaurant letterhead describing your storage conditions, inventory, pricing and any other information you feel is relevant to your wine program.
Should I send copies of my lunch menu, press clippings or anything else?
No, only your wine list, dinner menu, listing form, cover letter and entry fee are required. Other materials are not reviewed by the judges and should not be sent.
Can I fax or e-mail you my renewal materials?
Faxed or e-mailed materials are not accepted. Only mailed submissions are accepted.
If my renewal is granted, how do I find out?
All award winners will be notified by mail in May, and then listed in the Aug. 31 issue of Wine Spectator. Our website's Restaurant Search database, at www.winespectator.com/restaurants, will be updated with the new winners when the Aug. 31 issue is made public. Award certificates are mailed in July.
One of my award certificates was lost/damaged/stolen. Can I get another?
Unfortunately, no. We do not stock copies of previous years' award certificates. The one sent to you in July is the only one printed for your restaurant.
How do I get extra copies of the August 31 issue of Wine Spectator that includes the complete listing of all the Restaurant Wine List Awards winners?
You can always purchase back issues of recent magazines online. Order copies of the Aug. 31, 2009 issue of Wine Spectator here. Or for bulk orders of five or more copies of any August 31 issues of Wine Spectator, available back to 2000, email retailsales@mshanken.com or call 800-344-0763.
Still have questions?
E-mail restaurantawards@mshanken.com
