Richmond Wine Society - Joe Formica Award
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Joe Formica was a founding father of the Richmond Wine Society and was a major driver of the RWS until just before his death in 2020.
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To recognize Joe’s many outstanding accomplishments through the years, the RWS Board of Directors is establishing an award to honor him.
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Award criteria: The Joe Formica Award winner – an individual or an organization – should have a Virginia connection and should have been instrumental in contributing to and/or promoting wine appreciation locally, regionally, nationally or internationally through his or her contributions to the wine industry in such areas as wine education, all facets of wine making/grape growing, participation in the food and wine industry. Emphasis to be on, but not necessarily limited to, efforts in Virginia.
Emphasis will be on, but not necessarily limited to, efforts in Virginia. In the near future, RWS members will be given the opportunity to nominate worthy individuals based on the criteria above.
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RWS members nominated candidates, and the winner was selected by the RWS Board.
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Barboursville Vineyards, Luca Paschina, was the winner of the first award. See Luca's biography by clicking on the PDF button. The second winner in 2022 was Michael Shapps - for details click on this LINK. The 2023 Winner was Luci Morton - please enjoy her acceptance speech at this LINK. The 2024 Winner was Gabriele Rausse. See Gabriele's biography by clicking on the PDF button.
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Please enjoy the biography of Dr. Joe V. Formica by clicking on the PDF button.
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In addition to reading Dr. Formica's biography, Richmond Wine Society has been provided some additional articles either written by Dr. Formica or about him:
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From the American Wine Society Journal:
"In Defense of the Amateur Palate" - in the Fall 2009 magazine - to read click HERE
"The Persistence of the Wine Culture" - in the Fall 2012 magazine - to read click HERE
"Terroir and the Genesis of Quality Wine" - in the Spring 2003 magazine - to read
click HERE
"Terroir is not just a Grapevine Phenomenon" - in the Spring 2007 magazine - to read
Click HERE
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From the Virginian-Pilot/Ledger Star - October 26, 1986, newspaper - "Wine Lover in a Lab Coat" - to read click HERE
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