Wine Competitions: Listing of Major US Wine Events

 

American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition

Lynne L. Montgomery

Phone 315-536-0545

Fax 315-536-0545

Email directorcompetitions@americanwinesociety.org

Sponsors/Organizers The American Wine Society

Dates Of Competition Early November

Venue Rochester, NY

Entry Requirements The competition is open to all wineries, distributors and importers. Each winery is limited to 24 entries.

Wine Submission Deadline September 30

Judge Information The judging panels are made up of American Wine Society certified judges and industry professionals.

Competition Established 1985

Best of the Bay Wine Competition and Zin Challenge

Diane Long

4501 Pleasanton Avenue

Pleasanton, CA 94566

Phone 925/426-7611

Fax925/426-7652

E-mail exhibits@alamedacountyfair.com

Website http://www.alamedacountyfair.com

Sponsors/Organizers Bremner Bisquit Company

Dates Of Competition June

Venue Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, CA

Entry Requirements

Best of the Bay Competition — Commercially bonded wineries in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Solano counties.

Zin Challenge — Open to all U.S. wineries producing red Zinfandel.

Wine Entry Form Deadline End of April

Wine Samples Due Mid-May

Judge Information Judging panel includes three experienced and qualified judges chosen from the wine industry, wine journalism and wine trade.

Competition Established 1981

California State Fair Wine Competition

Kem Pence

Wine Department Chair

California State Fair

P.O. Box 15649

Sacramento, CA 95852

Phone 916/263-3159

Sponsors/Organizers Sponsored by Albertson's and organized/governed by the California State Fair

Dates Of Competition End of June

Venue California State Fairgrounds, Sacramento

Entry Requirements Must be a California wine and part of a lot of identical wine of at least 480 gallons.

Wine Submission Deadline End of May Ñ please contact event organizers for wine submission timelines

Judge Information Judges must take a qualifying exam and include wine industry representatives, wine writers, enologists, winemakers, restaurateurs, sommeliers and educators. Wines are entered judged in 10 geographical groupings and on a regional basis, based upon where the grapes are grown.

Competition Established 1854 (The oldest wine competition in the Western U.S.)

California Zinfandel Championship Competition

Monica Culcasi

Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce

2020 Railroad Avenue

Pittsburg, CA 94565

Phone 925/432-7301

Fax 925/427-5555

E-Mail chamber@pittsburg.org

Web http://www.pittsburgchamber.org/chamber/Zinfandel.htm

Sponsors/Organizers Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce

Dates Of Competition Early September

Venue Pittsburg Seafood Festival, Pittsburg, CA

Entry Requirements To enter the competition you will need to return a completed entry form for each Zinfandel wine you wish to enter. Multiple entries are allowed. The competition is open to all wineries. You must submit 2 bottles of wine per entry.

Entry Form Deadline

Wine Submission Deadline End of June

Judge Information The judges are American Wine Society Certified and Industry professionals

Competition Established 1997

Critics Challenge International Wine Competition

1034 Quince Street

San Diego, CA 92103

Phone 619-804-0371

Fax 619-294-4878

email: criticschallenge@aol.com

web: http://www.criticschallenge.com

Sponsors/Organizers: Whitley On Wine, Wine Review Online, Robert Whitley

Dates Of Competition Late May (Memorial Day Weekend)

Venue Westgate Hotel, Downtown San Diego

Entry Requirements: Entries open to all wines from all around the world. Must have been produced for commercial sale. No limit to the number of entries

Wine Submission Deadline: Late August

Judge Information Director Robert Whitley, Chief Judge Mary Ewing-Mulligan MW

Competition Established: 2004

Dallas Morning News World Wine Competition

Rebecca Murphy

P.O. Box 721283

Dallas, TX 75372-1283

Phone 214/319-7000

Web

Sponsors/Organizers The Dallas Morning News

Dates Of Competition Late January

Venue Fairmont Hotel in Dallas, TX

Entry Requirements A wine produced anywhere in the world may be entered. Limit 3 wines per category. Please contact event organizers for entryform submission deadline.

Entry Form Deadline Mid-January

Judge Information There will be 48 judges, consisting of wine writers, retailers, restaurateurs, and wine educators. Winemakers may not serve as judges.

Competition Established 1984

Finger Lakes International Wine Competition

David G. Male

441 Sprucewood Terrace

Williamsville, NY 14221-3910

Phone 716/634-2456

Fax 716/634-7061

E-Mail vinehous@aol.com

Sponsors/Organizers Camp Good Days and Special Times (a not-for-profit 501 corporation providing a camping experience and much more for children with cancer)

Dates Of Competition Late March

Venue Crown Royal Hotel, Rochester, NY

Entry Requirements Wine classes include varietals, blends and generic wines from any grape or fruit type. They include sparkling, dessert, fortified and fruit wines. Distilled products allowed include brandy, grappa and eau de vie. Fruit-flavored wines are allowed, but must be specifically identified as flavored.

Wine Submission Deadline Mid-March

Judge Information A diverse, internationally certified and highly skilled group of judges.

COMPETITION ESTABLISHED 2001

Florida State Fair Wine & Grape Juice Competition

Joyce Covington

P.O. Box 11766

Tampa, FL 33680

Phone 813/627-4216

Fax 813/740-3513

Sponsors/Organizers Florida State Fair and the Florida Grape Growers Association

Dates Of Competition Early February

Venue Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, FL

Entry Requirements Wine produced anywhere in the world may be entered. Wines must be currently available in the commercial market, but need not be available in Florida. Entry forms must be submitted by mid-December.

Wine Submission Deadline Mid-January

Judge Information There are 15 qualified judges from all across the country.

Competition Established 1988

Grand Harvest Awards

Bill Traverso, Director of Wine Competitions

Vineyard & Winery Management

PO Box 14459, Santa Rosa, CA 95402

Phone 707-577-7700

Phone 800-535-5670

Fax 707-577-7705

Sponsors/Organizers Vineyard & Winery Services, Inc.

Dates Of Competition June, 2012

Venue Sonoma County, CA

Entry Requirements Commercially available wines made from grapes of any US or international viticultural area are eligible.

Wine Submission Deadline One month prior to judging.

Judge's Information Judges are experienced wine judges and qualified wine industry professionals. Some judges familiar with terroir characteristics of each participating region are used to judge wines of that region.

Competition Established 1990

Indiana State Fair International Wine Competition

Jill Blume

Food Science Department

745 Ag Mall Drive

Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN 47907-2009

Phone 765/494-1749

Fax 765/494-7953

E-Mail Blume@purdue.edu

Web http://www.indyinternational.org

Sponsors/Organizers Indiana State Fair

Dates Of Competition Late July

Venue Expo Hall, Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, Indiana

Entry Requirements 3 bottles for commercial wineries, 2 bottles for amateur winemakers

Wine Submission Deadline Mid-July

Judge Information 70 judges will be employed; including winemakers, wine writers, wine marketers and chefs and knowledgeable consumers from around the world.

Competition Established 1992

International Eastern Wine Competition

Bill Traverso, Director of Wine Competitions

Vineyard & Winery Management magazine

PO Box 14459 Santa Rosa, CA 95402

Phone 707-577-7700

Phone 800-535-5670

Fax 707-577-7705

Web

Sponsors/Organizers Vineyard & Winery Services, Inc.

Dates Of Competition March, 2012

Venue Sonoma County, CA

Entry Requirements Commercially available wines produced in the US or internationally are eligible.

Wine Submission Deadline One month prior to judging.

Judge Information Judges are experienced wine judges and qualified wine industry professionals.

Competition Established 1976

International Wine and Spirits Competition

Denise Hillman

The International Wine and Spirit Competition 2011

The Culinary Institute of America (CIA)

Greystone

2555 Main Street, St Helena

California 94574

Website: http://www.iwsc.net/how-to-enter

Wine Submission Deadline

February 24, 2012

Competition Established 1969

International Women’s Wine Competition

Bill Traverso, Director of Wine Competitions

Vineyard & Winery Management magazine

PO Box 14459 Santa Rosa, CA 95402

Phone 707-577-7700

Phone 800-535-5670

Fax 707-577-7705

Web

Organizers: Vineyard & Winery Services, Inc.

Dates of Competition: September, 2012

Venue: Sonoma County, CA

Entry Requirements: Commercially available wines produced in the US or internationally are eligible.

Wine Submission Deadline: One month prior to judging.

Judges’ Information: Wines exclusively judged by women who are experienced wine judges and qualified wine industry professionals. Includes secondary judging category for wines made by women winemakers.

Competition Established 2007

Jerry D. Mead's New World International Wine Competition

Eileen Tillery

P.O. Box 5306

Diamond Bar, CA 91765

Phone 909/989-4733

Fax 909/989-1864

Email: nwiwc@yahoo.com

Web: http://www.nwiwc.com

Sponsors/Organizers Jerry D. Mead, Founder, New World International Wine Competition

Dates Of Competition End of February

Venue Ontario, CA

Entry Requirements Accepts all wines and grape distillates from the U.S., Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, South Africa and any other wine producing nations of the "New World." No limit on the number of entries.

Wine Submission Deadline Mid-January

Judge Information Judges include the wine media, vintners, trade representatives, trained consumers and academia.

Competition Established 1985

Long Beach Grand Cru Wine Competition

Ludmila Montoya

Executive Producer

110 Pine Ave. #420

Long Beach, CA 90262-3945

Phone 213/640-3894

Sponsors/Organizers Long Beach Office of the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles

Dates Of Competition Mid-late July

Venue Exhibit Hall, hosted by Queen Mary, Long Beach, CA

Entry Requirements Open to all nations unless otherwise stated. One entry = six bottles, not less than 750ml. If 350ml, submit 12 bottles. Entry forms may be submitted between April 1st and June 10th.

Wine Submission Deadline Mid-June

Judge Information Dan Berger and a steering committee will choose judges from a pool of winemakers, restaurateurs, wine store representatives, noted wine writers and recognized wine connoisseurs.

Competition Established 1995

The Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition

Mary Ellen Cole

P.O. Box 2250

Pomona, CA 91769

Phone 909/865-4231

Web: http://lacountyfair.com

Sponsors/Organizers Los Angeles County Fair

Dates Of Competition Mid-May

Venue Los Angeles County Fairgrounds, Pomona, CA

Entry Requirements The competition is now open to wine made anywhere in the world. There are two competitions: Wines of the Americas, and the Limited Production competition.

Wine Submission Deadline Early April

Judge Information There are 80 judges from a variety of backgrounds.

Competition Established 1935

Monterey International Wine Competition

625 Division St.

King City, CA 93930

Phone 831/385-3243

Fax 831/385-3345

Web http://www.salinasvalleyfair.com

email: whitonwine@aol.com

Sponsors/Organizers Salinas Valley Fair Director, Robert Whitley

Dates Of Competition March 5 - 6, 2005

Venue Salinas Valley Fairgrounds

Entry Requirements Open to all wine producing areas worldwide. No limit to the number of entries.

Wine Submission Deadline Late February

Judge Information Chief Judge, Robert Whitley

Competition Established 1994

NextGen Wine Competition for Millennial Wine Drinkers

Bill Traverso, Director of Wine Competitions

Vineyard & Winery Management magazine

PO Box 14459 Santa Rosa, CA 95402

Phone 707-577-7700

Phone 800-535-5670

Fax 707-577-7705

Web

Organizers: Vineyard & Winery Services, Inc.

Dates of Competition: September, 2012

Venue: Sonoma County, CA

Entry Requirements: Commercially available wines produced in the US or internationally are eligible.

Wine Submission Deadline: One month prior to judging.

Judges’ Information: Judges are millennials (aged 21-35) who are experienced wine judges and qualified wine industry professionals.

Competition Established 2009

Orange County Fair Commercial Wine Competition

Larry Graham

V.P./Competition Chairman

P.O. Box 11059

Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Phone 714/708-1636

Sponsors/Organizers The Orange County Wine Society and the Orange County Fair Board co-sponsor the event.

Dates Of Competition Late May

Venue Hilton Hotel in Costa Mesa, CA

Entry Requirements Any California wine that is commercially available in Orange County. Grapes must be grown in California. Entry forms must be submitted at the beginning of May.

Entry Form Deadline

Wine Submission Deadline Early May

Judge Information Judges are either winemakers or winery principals. Judging is performed double "blind."

Competition Established 1977

Pacific Rim International Wine Competition

Yolanda Daly

689 South "E" Street

San Bernardino, CA 92408

Phone 951-403-0558

Fax 909-889-7666

Sponsors/Organizers National Orange Show

Dates Of Competition Late April

Venue National Orange Show, San Bernardino, CA

Entry RequirementsCommercially available wines from a Pacific Rim Country. Four bottles of each required for judging.

Entry Form Deadline Early April

Wine Submission Deadline Late March

Judge Information Our 30 judges are a diverse group of wine professionals including winemakers, educators, and wine writers..

Competition Established 1984

The Press Democrat's North Of The Gate Wine Competition

Ralph Swagler

8024 Manchester Ave.

Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Phone: 707/664-0510

Fax: 707/664-9191

Web http://www.sonoma-marinfair.org

E-Mail WineJudge@aol.com

Sponsors/Organizers The Press Democrat Newspaper, Sponsor, Sonoma - Marin Fair, Petaluma, CA, Organizer

Dates Of Competition Late April

Venue Marin Fairgrounds, Petaluma, CA

Entry Requirements Any commercially available wine made from grapes grown in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Marin, Lake, or Solano counties.

Wine Submission Deadline Early April

Judge Information 4 Judging panels consisting of 5 judges each, selected from the wine industry, wine buyers, winemakers, wine writers, & wine educators. All judging is blind.

Competition Established 2001

Riverside International Wine Competition

Dan Berger

7006 Magnolia Ave. #150

Riverside, CA 92506

Phone 707/528-9466

Fax 707/528-7395

Email: danberger@rocketmail.com

Sponsors/Organizers The Riverside International Wine Competition corporation sponsors the company.

Dates Of Competition Early May

Venue Riverside Community Hospital Health Education Center

Entry Requirements Any bonded winery may enter. No limit to the number of entries.

Wine Submission Deadline Early April

Judge Information There are 44 judges who are winery owners, wine writers, winemakers, and other industry representatives.

Competition Established 1981

Sommelier Challenge International Wine Competition

302 Washington St #139

San Diego, CA 92103

Phone: 619-804-0371

Fax: 619-294-4878

E-mail: SommelierChallenge@yahoo.com

Website http://www.sommelierchallenge.com/

Sponsors/Organizers: Whitley On Wine, Wine Review Online, Robert Whitley

Dates Of Competition Late September

Venue Westgate Hotel, Downtown San Diego

Entry Requirements: Entries open to all wines from all around the world. Must have been produced for commercial sale. No limit to the number of entries

Wine Submission Deadline: Late August

Judge Information Director Robert Whitley, Chief Judge Mary Ewing-Mulligan MW

Competition Established: 2009

San Diego International Wine Competition

302 Washington St #139

San Diego, CA 92103

Phone 619-804-0371

Fax 619-294-4878

E-mail: SDWineCompetition@yahoo.com

Website http://www.sdiwc.com

Sponsors/Organizers: The Social Service Auxiliary of San Diego

Dates Of Competition Mid-March

Venue Westgate Hotel, Downtown San Diego

Entry Requirements: Entries open to all wines from all around the world. Must have been produced for commercial sale. No limit to the number of entries. As a participant, if your wine is awarded a medal, you must be willing to donate one case of that wine to the Wine & Roses Charity Tasting and Sale which takes place in June.

Wine Submission Deadline Late February

Judge Information Director Robert Whitley

Competition Established: 1983

San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

        - Deadline Extended Dec 15

Bob Fraser

568 Monaco Circle

Cloverdale, CA 95425

Phone 707/527-4648

Fax 707/527-4816

E-mail rfraser@santarosa.edu

Website http://www.winejudging.com and http://www.chroniclecalendar.com

Sponsors/Organizers San Francisco Chronicle, Sponsor; Cloverdale Citrus Fair, Host

Dates Of Competition Late January. A public wine tasting of award medal wines will be held mid-March.

Venue Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds

Entry Requirements Accept wines from any bonded winery from California. Must have a minimum of 50 cases on hand for public 30 days from entry deadline.

Wine Submission Deadline Early January

Judge Information Judging panel of five include representatives from trade, education, media, winemakers, and food/tour. Judging is blind.

Competition Established 1983 (Originally as Cloverdale Citrus Fair Wine Competition)

San Francisco International Wine Competition

Carol Seibert

3145 Geary Blvd. #437

San Francisco, CA 94118

Phone 415/345-9000

Fax 415/345-9090

E-mail info@sfwinecomp.com

Website http://www.sfwinecomp.com

Dates Of Competition Mid-June

Venue Hotel Nikko, San Francisco

Entry Requirements Must be a commercial wine produced by a professional winery. Also included in the competition are: non-alcoholic wine, fruit wine, grappa, vermouth, sherry, port and sake.

Wine Submission Deadline Late May

Judge Information fifty judges from around the world. The judges are nationally recognized wine experts, usually either wine buyers or wine writers. Winemakers and consumers may not serve as judges.

Competition Established 1982

West Coast Wine Competition

Bill Traverso, Director of Wine Competitions

Vineyard & Winery Management

PO Box 14459 Santa Rosa, CA 95402

Phone 707-577-7700

Phone 800-535-5670

Fax 707-577-7705

Web http://www.vwm-online.com

Sponsors/Organizers Vineyard & Winery Services, Inc.

Dates Of Competition July, 2012

Venue Sonoma County, CA

Entry Requirements Commercially available wines produced in select western regions including Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Baja, California, British Columbia in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the wine region of South America.

Wine Submission Deadline One month prior to judging.

Judge Information Judges are experienced wine judges and qualified wine industry professionals.

Competition Established 1982

WineFest

Jill Golden

P.O. Box 5097

Hilton Head Island, SC 29938

Phone 843/686-4944

Fax 843/686-4169

Sponsors/Organizers Hilton Head Hospitality Association

Dates Of Competition Early February

Venue Hilton Head Island, SC

Entry Requirements Any winery may enter. Three bottles of each label being entered are required.

Wine Submission Deadline Mid-January

Judge Information Judging will be conducted blind. Judges will rank wines using the 20-point Davis Rating Scale. All judges must be American Wine Society certified.

Competition Established 1985