Left to right: Oenology Award: Jerry Lohr, Winemaker of Paso Robles Culinary Award: Marisa May and Tony May, daughter and father owners of SD 26 Restaurant & Bar Wine Industry Award: Winebow founder Leonardo LoCascio Center photo: Robert Caplin

On April 30 at Jumeirah Essex House in Manhattan, New York Institute of Technology and the Quarterly Review of Wines will present their 13th Annual Professional Excellence Awards. This year’s award for Oenology goes to Jerry Lohr, the Paso Robles winemaker who for the last 15 years has helped revolutionize the region’s wines and created along the way one of the most highly advanced “green” technology and energy conservation in California. The three tiers of J. Lohr wines are surely well known, and his top tier wines hold a special place in the hearts of the awards committee. (Our feature story on J. Lohr in this issue begins on page 62.) The award for Culinary will be given to Marisa and Tony May, the tireless daughter and father team of SD 26 Restaurant & Wine Bar (19 East 26 Street), one of Manhattan’s poshest and smartest new, upbeat restaurants, and considered by the New York Times and others as the best classical Italian dining in the city. SD26 takes the place of the older and elegant operation — San Domenico in Union Square, upon which the name of the new restaurant borrows its initials; the original restaurant was closed in 2008, after several decades of singular success. As Tony May says, “we changed the restaurant because our clientele has changed: it’s newer and more casual.” The award for Wine Industry will be given to Leonardo LoCascio, the CEO of Winebow, one of the best wine importers and distributors in the country. LoCascio and Winebow have done much to create a new image for the industry, an image that was wanting in class and style and in wine education. The quality of his wine list is exceptional, and leads the way for wines and spirits. Once again, America’s auctioneer, Dave Reynolds, who specializes in charitable and educational auctions, will sell off more than 50 lots of fine wine, signature Manhattan dining events, cruises, and exceptional vacation packages. Black tie.

For information: Pam Bottge: Pbottge@nyit.edu