The Champagne Bureau is proud to honor wine writers and consumer activists Eleanor and Ray Heald with the Bureau's first annual "Champagne Award," given to the Healds for their tireless commitment to promoting fair and accurate wine labeling. For more than a decade, the Healds have worked to ensure that consumers are protected by advocating for wine labels that truthfully depict the wine's appellation or place of origin.
The announcement coincides with the fourth anniversary of the inaugural signing of the Joint Declaration to Protect Wine Place & Origin by Napa Valley, Oregon, Walla Walla Valley, Washington State, Champagne, Port and Sherry. The Declaration was the beginning of a multi-year effort to educate policymakers and consumers around the world about the importance of wine place names. Today, the Coalition has grown to 13 members including Sonoma County, Paso Robles, Chianti Classico and others.
The Healds have been writing about wine since 1978. Following their each earning a Masters Degree in Chemistry, they traveled the world of wine to expand their knowledge. Winemakers and viticulturists around the globe have been eager to "talk tech" with them because they understand the chemical intricacies of winegrowing.
To be given annually to a publicly recognized organization the Champagne Award, individual or individuals that display a commitment to the integrity of wine place and origin. Place names are the right of every quality winemaker and winemaking community in the world, and the Champagne Award recognizes those committed to bringing an end to the practice of wine mislabeling.
Wine is uniquely tied to its place of origin. The land, air, water, soil and weather where grapes are grown are what make each wine unique. Consequently, it is vital that wine labels reflect the geographic area where they were produced in order to allow consumers to make an informed choice and protect the integrity of great wine-growing regions like Napa Valley, Walla Walla Valley, or Champagne.
