Wine Enthusiast Magazine announced TGIC Importers Inc. and its founder Alex Guarachi as its Importer of the Year 2010. This coveted award is deemed one of the most prestigious forms of recognition in the industry, accrediting TGIC Importers and Alex Guarachi with outstanding performance in 2010.

"We are thrilled to be named Importer of the Year 2010," Guarachi said. "The TGIC team and I have worked enthusiastically for years to grow our brands and to develop the Chilean and Argentinean categories in particular. It's terrific to be recognized for that. It's truly a noble honor."

This esteemed award recognizes excellence on all levels of TGIC's participation in the industry, from importing premium wines to marketing and distributing them.

"This is a wonderful reward for everyone at TGIC who works tirelessly to deliver a premium service," Guarachi said. "It also speaks volumes about our brands, their quality and consistency."

TGIC Importers won the award based on the strength of the company's global wine portfolio, the growth and prominence of those brands, and the company's overall performance as a leading innovator.

TGIC was scheduled to be featured as the winner in its category via an in-depth presentation in the Dec. 15 issue of Wine Enthusiast.

The company will be honored at the annual Wine Star Awards gala dinner on Jan. 24, 2011, at the New York Public Library in New York City, along with the winners from the other categories.

Alex Guarachi expressed thanks to Wine Enthusiast Editor and Publisher Adam Strum: "Adam Strum and the staff there embody the spirit of the wine business. It is truly a tribute to be honored by people of such high caliber."

TGIC Importers was recognized by the publication for its growth of the South American wine category as a whole. This has been achieved mainly through the high standard of wines the company imports and its tireless efforts to over deliver.

TGIC was founded 25 years ago by Alex Guarachi and has since grown into one of the nation's leading innovators in wine imports. TGIC brings in wines from 11 countries around the globe, including Chile, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and Spain, as well as representing and distributing California wines from Napa, Sonoma and Paso Robles. TGIC's impressive portfolio includes Montes, Santa Ema, Bodega Norton, Achaval Ferrer, Pascual Toso, Kaiken, Che Gaucho, Lo Tengo, Castillo de Monseran, Guarachi Family Wines, Napa Angel, Star Angel, Omaka Springs, and Andrew Peace.