American Wine Society®

Awards

2024 Award of Merit

Madeline Puckette

Madeline co-founded Wine Folly in 2011 with the goal of inspiring new wine drinkers through knowledge. She creates engaging blogs, articles, infographics and videos on Wine Folly site that provide information for both wine novices and experienced tasters. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and she effectively uses social media to promote wine and wine education.

In 2013, Wine Folly was named Wine Blogger of the year by the International Wine and Spirits Commission. Her first book, Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine, released in 2015, was called “the best introductory book on wine to come along in years” by the Washington Post. In September 2018, Wine Folly: Magnum Edition: The Master Guide, was released to include new information for both newbies and experienced wine drinkers.

Her design work with Wine Folly has been contracted by Wines of France, Wines of Bordeaux, Wines of Beaujolais, the Court of Master Sommeliers, the Guild of Sommeliers, the Washington State Wine Commission, and Rhône Valley Wines. She studied art and music composition in Los Angeles, CA, then worked as a graphic designer in Reno, NV, before becoming a self-acknowledged Wine Geek.


She is a certified sommelier and an active Member of the Guild of Sommeliers living in Seattle, WA.
The American Wine Society’s (AWS) Award of Merit is a highly regarded award given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the wine industry. The award can be given to people who work in winemaking, marketing, education, grape growing, or writing.
Past American Wine Society Award of Merit recipients
Konstantin Frank, 1971Hudson Cattell, 1991Gordon Murchie, 2011
Charles Fournier, 1972Andrew C. Rice, 1992Jim Bernau, 2012
Leon D. Adams, 1973Vernon L. Singleton, 1993Dick Naylor, 2013
Willard B. Robinson, 1974Lucie T. Morton, 1994Gina Gallo, 2014
Philip & Jocelyn Wagner, 1975Alex & Louisa Hargrave, 1995Chuck Wagner, 2015
Maynard A. Amerine, 1976Warren Winiarski, 1996Peter Mondavi Sr., 2016
G. Hamilton Mowbray, 1977Arnulf W. Esterer, 1997The Frank Family, 2017
Harold P. Olmo, 1978Vincent Petrucci, 1998Paul Wagner, 2018
George W.B. Hostetter, 1979Justin Morris, 1999Randall Grahm, 2019
Andre Tchelistcheff, 1980Ann C. Noble, 2000Kevin Zraly, 2021
Alexander Brailow, 1981Peter M.F. Sichel, 2001Allen Shoup, 2022
Robert Mondavi, 1982Marian Baldy, 2002Joel Peterson, 2023
Louis P. Martini, 1983Sharron McCarthy, 2003
Douglas & Marlene Moorhead, 1984Jonathan Newman, 2004
James F. Gallander, 1985Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, 2005
Philip Hiaring, 1986Angel Nardone, 2006
Richard P. Vine, 1987Jacques Recht, 2007
Harriet Lembeck, 1988Kent Rosemblum, 2008
Charles M. Crawford, 1989Zelma Long, 2009
Nelson J. Shaulis, 1990Eric & Lee Miller, 2010

2024 Outstanding Member

Jane Duralia

Jane has been an AWS member since 1992 and has given her time and talents to the society for most of those years. She was  instrumental in helping start two chapters (Catawba & Lake Hickory) and served as Chapter Chair, then as Co-RVP (with her husband) from 2000-2011. She was Co-chair of the 2001 Conference and has attended every conference except one since becoming a member, volunteering to help at each of them.

Always an avid supporter of the WJCP, Jane was certified as a wine judge in 2006 and recertified in 2012 and 2018. She has also written several articles for the AWS Wine Journal. Jane always has ideas to improve AWS and was told by friends that she should run for the Board if she wanted to make changes, so she did. She was elected AWS Vice-president in 2009 and became President in 2012. Her term was to expire at the end of 2014 but when her successor resigned from the VP position, she agreed to stay on as President for a third year, becoming the only AWS President to serve three consecutive years.

As President, she worked with the Executive Director and Board to guide the society through significant changes and growth, worked to recruit people for several RVP positions and initiated contacts with Tasters Guild and the Eastern Winery Expo. She chaired the activities for the AWS 50th Anniversary that started when she was President and continued after she her term was over. In spring of 2020, she was appointed Chairperson of the Strategic Planning (SP) Committee, working with her team to formulate a plan that was accepted by the Board of Directors in fall of 2021.

 

Since then, she has worked with the various standing committees to infuse their ideas and activities to bring the SP to the living document it is today with continual progress to meet more and more of the initiatives set forth in the initial plan. She has also served on the Governance Committee since 2020. Jane has demonstrated a devotion to AWS over the past thirty years that is impressive and appreciated. She has never been afraid to raise her hand to volunteer and serve and the society in whatever position is needed. For those many years of devotion to AWS, Jane Duralia is worthy of the honor of being our Outstanding Member.