The New York International Wine Awards was founded by Adam Levy and Dori Bryant. The International Wine Community saw the success of the New York International Spirits Awards and asked Adam and Dori to do the same for wine. To create a blind tasting panel with a trade only judges. So that the top Sommelliers, Retail Store Buyers, Distributors and Importers in the New York area will be able to judge wines based upon the wine.

Adam Levy is a spirits writer and judge. Adam has a BA from Rutgers University and a EMBA from Baruch College. He resides with his family and dog "Garrett Oliver" in Hoboken, NJ.

Dori Bryant started the Polished Palate LLC (www.polishedpalate.com) in 2005, building on years of experience in publishing and a passion for spirited excellence. Starting at the New York Daily News in 1980, she was instrumental in the launch of several publications including USA Today and Southern Magazine. After joining General Media in 1997 she began hosting spirits festivals and writing on distilled spirits. Dubbed 'The Rum Queen' by the St. Petersburg Times, Dori has also been honored by the Academia Mexicana del Tequila. the Polished Palate runs consumer tasting events, professionally judged competitions, seminars, gourmet food/spirits pairing experiences and other special events. Since 2006, she has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Sky Ranch Foundation and was inducted into this organizations' Hall of Fame in 2009. Her events, which feature auctions that benefit Sky Ranch, remind consumers and marketers alike about the importance of 'giving back'. A graduate of Rutgers University, she makes her home in Tarpon Springs, Florida.