Punzone Receives Coveted Five-Star Diamond Award

    NEW YORK, NY, October 29, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Punzone , the first line of Italian ultra-premium imported organic vodka spirits in the U.S., has been awarded the prestigious Five-Star Diamond Award by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. The award was bestowed upon Punzone last night in New York City. Punzone is the first ultra-premium vodka and organic product to receive this top honor.

In addition, Punzone will also be presented with the award at the exclusive Sixth Annual International Star Diamond Award Ceremony in Cannes, France on December 5. Punzone will be the only vodka poured at the event which attracts hundreds of world-class brands and star chefs from across the globe.

After a rigorous evaluation, the Five-Star Diamond Award Committee recognized Punzone's exceptional quality, smooth flavor and superb craftmanship. The accolade is only given to the world's finest luxury brands in the hospitality market: hotels, resorts, restaurants, chefs and products. Punzone will join the ranks of Mercedes Benz, Trump International and such world class chefs/restauranteurs as Alain Ducasse and Jean-Georges Vongerichten, all past recipients of the highly regarded award. Punzone's distinction is for the "Best in Spirits Category."

"We take pride in only presenting the Five-Star Diamond Award to brands that meet the highest standards of quality, and Punzone demonstrated this hand's down," said Joseph D. Cinque, President and CEO of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. "We are proud to bestow Punzone with this honor and we anticipate that this brand will stand apart in the spirits market for the foreseeable future."

"We are ecstatic to receive such a high honor by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. It truly is a testament to the hard work and passion that we put into making Punzone a preeminent line of vodka," said Frank Guerrera, President and Founder of Punzone, Inc. "We are thrilled to have our hard work and high standards acknowledged by such a premier establishment."

Punzone, which means 'punch' in Italian, made its debut in New York City and New Jersey in July 2012 and has been making great strides. It was single handedly introduced by Frank Guerrera, a New York based Italian-American entrepreneur whose vision to create an all organic and pure line of Italian vodka was brought to life by his intense passion. Punzone is available in multiple on and off premise locations including Whole Foods in Red Bank, NJ and Corrado's in Clifton, NJ along with several New York City retailers that ship nationwide. Punzone can also be found at renowned New York City Italian eateries such as Valbella, Da Mikele, and Da Noi restaurants.

Punzone, distributed by MHW Ltd, is imported directly from Piemonte, Italy's preeminent food and wine geography. The unprecedented and remarkably smooth vodka products are comprised of three beverages that are USDA Organic and EU Organic certified:

Punzone Vodka - Ultra-Premium Punzone Vodka is uniquely crafted in a five-column distillation system from organic Italian wheat grown in North West Italy. After distillation, the vodka is precisely blended with pristine waters from the Italian alps to ensure superior organic excellence. Unmistakably smooth, Punzone Vodka's nose is subtle, the taste distinctively soft and the finish cool and refreshing.

Punzone Originale - An exquisite fusion of our ultra-premium Punzone Vodka enlivened with a delicate blend of red Sangiovese sangria and natural blood orange essence. It is best consumed shaken and chilled as a martini, on the rocks, or as a shot.

Punzone Lemoncino - A delicate blend of its ultra-premium Punzone Vodka refreshed with a unique fusion of white Chardonnay sangria and natural Sicilian lemon essence. It is best consumed shaken and chilled as a martini, on the rocks, or as a shot.

Punzone's products are produced by renowned family run winery, Cantine Sgarzi Luigi, one of the world's leading wine specialists since 1933. This is the first line of spirits to be formulated and produced at the winery.

About the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences
The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences was founded in Chicago in 1949 as the International Restaurant Ratings Bureau. The AAHS is now headquartered in New York City and governed by a Board of Trustees who oversees the stringent nomination and selection processes of the Five-Star Diamond Award. The Board is comprised of numerous hospitality industry leaders and celebrated chefs, who are themselves world travelers.

About Punzone, Inc.
Based in New York City, Punzone, Inc. owns, produces and markets a line of products under the name Punzone which launched in July 2012. More information can be found at www.punzone.com. Punzone can also be followed on Twitter @punzone and Facebook at facebook.com/punzonevodka.

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