Alameda Distillery Finalist For James Beard Award

ALAMEDA, CA — The James Beard Foundation has announced the 2019 finalists for the prestigious awards sometimes referred to as the Oscars of the culinary world. The finalists were announced on Wednesday and Lance Winters of St. George Spirits in Alameda has been selected in the "Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Producer" category. He is the only finalist from the East Bay.

The distillery produces a wide range of spirits including gin, vodka, whiskey, brandy and liqueur. St. George Spirits offers tours and tastings. It is open to the public Wednesday to Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

Their website paints an enticing picture, "The distillery fills a 65,000-square-foot airplane hangar on the former naval air station in Alameda, California (just across the bay from San Francisco). We are situated at the edge of the base with an uninterrupted westward view of the city skyline, Bay, and bridges."

Read more about St. George Spirits, and make a reservation for a tour and tasting.

Other Bay Area nominees are in San Francisco, the Wine Country and the South Bay.

Finalists were announced by chef Hugo Ortega in Houston during a ceremony at his namesake Mexican restaurant, Hugo’s. The nominees are for James Beard awards in restaurant and chef, media and restaurant design categories.

The awards will be presented on May 6 at the Lyric Opera in Chicago.

The foundation said that 2019’s theme is “Good Food For Good,” which is synonymous with its mission.

“It is the simple summation of what the organization stands for, from unique and delicious dining experiences at the James Beard House and around the country, to scholarships, mentorships, and a variety of industry programs that educate and empower leaders in the food community,” the foundation said in a press release.

The awards, which “recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their fields” were established in 1990. According to the foundation, each award category has an individual committee made up of industry professionals. Each committee oversees “the policies, procedures, and selection of judges for their respective awards programs,” the foundation says.

Winners receive a certificate and medallion engraved with the foundation’s insignia.

You can see the full list of nominees here.

— Patch editors Beth Dalbey and Bea Karnes contributed to this report.

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