Bob Betz receives top honor at Washington State Wine Awards

Bob Betz, Master of Wine, was honored at the 2014 Washington Wine Awards. — Bob Betz, Master of Wine, and founder of Betz Family Winery in Woodinville, Wash., was honored as the 2014 recipient of the Walter Clore Honorarium Award at the Washington State Wine Awards. (Photo via Flickr/click for credit)

Woodinville winemaker Bob Betz, Seattle sommelier Jeff Thorsen and The Marc Restaurant in Walla Walla’s Marcus Whitman Hotel received top honors Monday night at the Washington State Wine Awards in Seattle.

Betz, who launched his renowned Betz Family Winery in 1997 during a storied 28-year career as a Chateau Ste. Michelle executive, was awarded the Walter Clore Honorarium. The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated dedication to the advancement of the Washington wine industry.

Betz also is one of a handful in the Pacific Northwest to become a Master of Wine, the highest level of education in the world of wine. He received his degree in 1997 with honors as the top scholar in both the theory examinations and the viticulture portion.

Marco Campolio, executive chef at The Marc, has elevated the culinary program at the Marcus Whitman Hotel in downtown Walla Walla. — Antonio Campolio, executive chef at The Marc, has elevated the culinary program at the Marcus Whitman Hotel in downtown Walla Walla. He prepared a dinner at the James Beard House in New York City in 2012. (Photo by Eric Degerman/Great Northwest Wine)

The Marc chosen as state’s top wine restaurant

The Marc Restaurant was named Restaurant of the Year, and Thorsen of RN74 in Seattle received the Sommelier of the Year award as part of the ceremonies at Samuel & Althea Stroum Grand Lobby at Benaroya Hall in Seattle.

Other category winners included Anthony’s Restaurants and its Raise a Glass, Fund a Scholarship (Best Event Featuring Washington Wine), Russell’s in Bothell (Independent Restaurant of the Year), Schwartz Brothers (Best Restaurant Group), John Cooper of Yakima Valley Tourism (Tourism Concierge of the Year), Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau (Tourism Champion), Bellevue Westin (top hotel), Total Wine & More (Retailer of the Year), Puget Consumers Cooperative (retailer group), Full Pull Wines (independent retailer), Dan McCarthy of McCarthy & Schiering Wine (Retail Salesperson of the Year), Cru Selections (top distributor) and Jason Harris of Young’s Market Company (top distributor salesperson).

The 2014 Washington State Wine Awards goblet, designed by Julie Conway, goes to The Marc (Restaurant of the Year) and Total Wine and More (Retailer of the Year). (Image courtesy of the Washington State Wine Commission)

It was the 10th individual award for Anthony’s. No other restaurant has received as many in the history of the Washington State Wine Commission’s awards program.

“Education has always been a part of Anthony’s philosophy, as well as giving back to the community,” said Lane Hoss, Anthony’s Vice President of marketing and beverage director. “We are so pleased to be recognized for our ongoing community involvement with our Raise a Glass, Fund a Scholarship promotion to put towards the Viticulture and Enology Program at Washington State University. It is an honor to be recognized by the Washington wine industry.”

Hoss (2003) and Anthony’s founder Budd Gould (2012) each have received the Walter Clore Honorarium. The Seattle-based restaurant group also has been awarded Restaurant of the Year in 2004, Best Event Featuring Washington Wine (2003, 2006, 2008 and 2014), the Winemaker Choice Award in 2007 and Best Restaurant Group in 2011. At least one of its restaurants has received a Grand Award each year since the wine commission created the program in 2002.

“The Washington State Wine Awards are a way to say thank you to our champions,” Steve Warner, president of Washington State Wine Commission, said in a news release. “We can grow the best grapes and make the best wine here in Washington, but we cannot be truly successful without support from these outstanding individuals and organizations. They help us continue to build momentum for Washington State wine.”

Master Sommelier Rob Bigelow served as the master of ceremonies, and attendees were able to taste wines from 70 Washington wineries.

The 15 businesses and individuals recognized as leaders by the Washington State Wine Awards will be featured in a full-page ad in March in 10 key publications: Food & Wine, Wine Spectator, Sunset Magazine, Seattle Met, Seattle Magazine, Sip Northwest, Elle Decor and Wine Press Northwest, as well as the 2014 Washington State Wine Tour Guide.

This marked the 12th year for the Washington Wine Commission’s awards program, and the second time since being rebranded. Winners were selected from more than 100 nominations and were chosen based on their menus, educational programs, marketing efforts and service.

Grand Awards:

· Anthony’s at Columbia Point (Richland)

· Anthony’s at Pier 66 (Seattle)

· AQUA by El Gaucho (Seattle)

· Barking Frog at Willows Lodge (Woodinville)

· Bistro San Martin (Arlington)

· Canlis Restaurant (Seattle)

· Compass Wines (Anacortes)

· Cypress Lounge & Wine Bar at The Westin Bellevue

· Daniel’s Broiler Prime Steaks and Chops of Bellevue

· El Gaucho Bellevue

· El Gaucho Seattle