This is the 19th year NorthBay biz has conducted a poll to elicit reader opinion on which companies are the BEST in the North Bay. Since 2002, this readers’ poll has expanded beyond the magazine to also include an annual celebration held at a fine area venue. Attendance has swelled to more than 350 guests who arrive on awards night to collect their winning plaques, sample the award-winning food and wines and mingle with all the other winners.
Each year, there are new winning companies. But over the past seven years, there have been some repeat winners. So here’s a glimpse of the companies that have been able to repeat the distinction of being voted the BEST in the North Bay in their respective categories by the readers of NorthBay biz.
BEST
Business Breakfast — Omelette Express
Business Dinner — John Ash & Co.
Fine Jewelry — E.R. Sawyer Jewelers
Luxury Car Dealer — Lexus of Marin
Office Equipment — Scott Technology Group, Discovery Office Systems
Catering Service — Trends Catering
Sauvignon Blanc — Geyser Peak Winery
Chardonnay — Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery
Pinot Noir — La Crema Winery
Sparkling Wine — J Vineyards & Winery, Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards
Zinfandel — Murphy-Goode Winery
Cabernet Sauvignon — Silver Oak Wine Cellars
Golf Course — Fountaingrove Golf & Athletic Club
Resort/Spa — Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, Kenwood Inn & Spa
Wine Tasting Room — J Vineyards & Winery
Hotel for Business Guests — Embassy Suites Hotel of Marin, FountainGrove Inn
Business Event — San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, Napa Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of Commerce — Napa Chamber of Commerce
Real Estate Company — Frank Howard Allen Realtors, Coldwell Banker Northern California
Commercial Real Estate Company — NAI BT Commercial
Wealth Management Company — Edward Jones, Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.
Accounting Firm — Moss-Adams LLP, Pisenti & Brinker LLP
Insurance Broker — NorthWest Insurance
Builder — Christopherson Homes
Business Bank — Exchange Bank
Consumer Bank — Bank of the West, Exchange Bank
Law Firm — Anderson, Zeigler, Disharoon, Gallagher & Gray
Job Placement Service — Nelson Staffing Solutions
Credit Union — Redwood Credit Union
And here’s a reminder of who was voted Best Community Business Leader since 2002.
2002 — Sharon Wright
2003 — Larry Brackett
2004 — Bill McCubbin
2005 — Mike Martini
2006 — Al Boro
2007 — Debbie Meekins
2008 — Bill Carle
