Isabelle Adams of Soda Rock Winery chooses her wine competitions very carefully. The 8-year-old winery produces about 6k cases yearly, and relies on direct to consumer sales for most of the production. Although they’ve tried other competitions over the years, Adams divides her entries equally between international and local competitions, including the North Coast Wine Challenge (NCWC).

“It is very important to us to have local wins and medals that we can promote. We use the awards and scores in the tasting room, and in our emails and our advertising. It definitely influences people’s decisions when they are able to taste the wine before purchasing, and it also is very rewarding for the winemaker!” she says.

Although Soda Rock, in the heart of Alexander Valley, is primarily a Cabernet house, they offer 20 different reds and blends, including an increasing number of Zinfandels. Being part of the Wilson Artisan winery stable gives them access to fruit from a variety of AVAs.

The Soda Rock property is a magnificent historic structure that dates back to 1869. In 2000, Ken and Diane Wilson acquired the run down and neglected property, pouring ample resources into making it the beautiful and welcoming spot it is today.

Adams admits the win for the 2016 Soda Rock Mendocino Chardonnay was unexpected and quite welcomed. It was the first-time winemaker Antoine Favero had made Chardonnay from the Jaxon Keys Vineyard in Hopland into a wine under the Soda Rock label.

Favero was born in the Champagne region of France, but his French mother and Italian father moved the family to a Peruvian coastal fishing village when he was a little boy. At age nine, the family relocated to Northern California’s wine country, where Favero discovered his passion. After attending UC Davis, Antoine worked at Mazzocco, where he created many award-winning Zinfandels before coming to Soda Rock.

Favero fermented the hand-harvested fruit in 40% new French oak for 22 months, using sur lees stirring to impart a creamy texture that carries the pear, guava, white nectarine and tropical fruit flavors in a mouth-flooding wave. Only one-third of the wine went through malolactic, preserving the essence of citrus through the mid-palate.

The Wilson Artisan wineries are opening a new joint tasting room in downtown Healdsburg, where wines from their entire portfolio will be available. Called Coyote Sonoma, the concept will offer bar bites to enjoy, along with beer and wine on tap. The site was previously Sonoma Cider, which shuttered earlier this year. Should be another winning concept from the Wilson’s who see — and seize — an opportunity at every turn.

Sadly, though, you won’t be able to taste any of the award-winning 2016 Mendocino Chardonnay, though, as it sold out within two months of winning the honors. Isabelle hopes to have more of it from this year’s harvest.

Santa Rosa, Calif., (February 3, 2020) – The 8th Annual Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge is officially open for entries.

This competition focuses exclusively on wines produced in California’s prestigious North Coast, arguably the finest winegrowing region in the world. Judging will take place in April 7-8, 2020 in Sonoma County, California.

Only wines produced and bottled by wineries with North Coast AVAs are eligible to compete. The top wines receive prestigious rankings of Gold, Double Gold, Best of Class by Category, Best of County, and ultimately one “Best of the Best” award. The criteria to only announce gold medal winners and above keeps the prestige level high in this wine judging. Only wines rating 90+ points are awarded gold medals and become eligible to move on to the 'Best Of' Category.

“This judging continues to evolve as the “must enter” and most anticipated wine competition in the U.S.” adds Chief Judge, Daryl Groom.

Competition Information:

• Points of 90+ will be given to Gold and above
• Only Gold medal winning wines and above will be exclusively announced and published in The Press Democrat
• The lucky winner will be highlighted and promoted in all facets of traditional and social media and The Press Democrat and Spirited Magazine
• A trophy presentation will be made in front of peers and consumers at the North Coast Wine and Food Event on Saturday, June13th, 2020 at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, hosted by The Press Democrat.

To enter, visit https://www.pdncwc.com/

About Wine Competitions Management & Productions

Based in Santa Rosa, Calif., Wine & Spirit Competitions Management & Productions is an independently owned and operated. Its wine competitions include The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge, Harvest Challenge, East Meets West, and the International Women's Wine Competition. See winecompetitions.com for more information.

When winemaker Erik Miller got the call informing him that his 2015 Gopher Hill Pinot had just garnered a 100-point score, and oh, by the way, it took Best of Show at the 2018 North Coast Wine Challenge, he didn’t quite know what to expect.

“It’s been the craziest thing!” says Miller, who started the Kokomo brand in 2004 with Cabernet Sauvignon. “We got a good Wine Spectator score (for the Cab) in 2005, then again in 2006, and in 2007, Spectator wrote about us. This time last year, Parker wrote about 5 Sonoma Cabs that rival Napa Valley, and we got some good sales after that. But after the 100-point score for the Pinot, we were definitely on the radar.”

He observed an amazing spike in views of the video Kokomo has on Vimeo in conjunction with the win. “You can see a huge spike in April, right after the announcement.”

“The local relevance of this win has been amazing,” continues Miller.  “We had a line of people out the door the next day when we opened! And we had more than 50 web orders for the wine! It was the craziest reaction ever. We sold out in two days.”

Miller was forced to release the 2016 Gopher Hill Pinot far earlier than he had planned, “We explained to people that this was the ‘big brother’ to the 2015, from my favorite barrels, with more oak aging. It wasn’t really ready, but we released it anyway and sold it out a month ago. Now we have the 2017 Gopher Hill on the bar.”

Because much of the 2015 Gopher Hill Pinot had already been allocated to Wine Club, it made fulfilling orders even more difficult. “You can really cause damage when you run out,” Miller observes. “My Hospitality Manager said to me, ‘Don’t make any more 100-point wines!! You’ve made my job so hard!’”

Miller says the reaction at the public event held to honor the winners of the North Coast Challenge was phenomenal. “I love the event. It’s really cool and draws a great young crowd. All the winners are acknowledged in the paper (The Press Democrat), which is great, and then again in Sonoma magazine. From a local perspective, it’s had a huge impact.”

A big win in a major competition goes a long way, though. He’s very fond of the North Coast Challenge, which he won in 2012 for his first rosé, garnering best rosé for the next two years. (His 2017 Grenache Rosé vied for best rosé in 2018 as well.) Miller also participates in the San Francisco Chronicle, and in the Indy International, held in his home state of Indiana. Kokomo is named for the blue-collar town where he grew up.

“The North Coast Wine Challenge is our favorite competition,” admits Miller. “It has diversity and attracts the biggest number of entries from Lake, Mendocino and Sonoma counties. We love the judges, who are a combination of winemakers and sommeliers. It is very important to us.”

Miller isn’t letting any of this go to his head, however, “I took a lot of crap from my peers! They were all teasing me about a 100-point wine. I thought about making a t-shirt that says, ‘Touch me, I’m a 100-point winemaker!’ But really, all that aside, it’s been absolutely amazing. But we are still down to earth here at Kokomo. We have no chandeliers or extravagance. I want to maintain affordable wines the best I can, out of respect for where I grew up. I don’t want to be charging $70 a bottle!”

By Laura Ness

On April 7-8, 2026, a collection of esteemed wine professionals will gather in Santa Rosa, Calif., to evaluate entries in the 2026 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge. Competition managers are now accepting entries for the 14th annual NCWC, considered among the most prestigious wine challenges in the United States.

This regional competition rates wines exclusively produced and bottled in Northern California’s premier winegrowing region to determine which wines are considered the Best of the Best. Eligible wines must be made from fruit sourced in the North Coast AVAs of Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, Marin and parts of Solano counties. This includes any bottled wine labeled with these AVAs as their main source of grapes and whose winery is in California.

“The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge is unique in that only wines made from grapes grown in the six North Coast counties are allowed to enter,” says Daryl Groom, chief judge of NCWC. “With that, the starting quality is high — and our experienced wine judges know that. Typically, 95% of the wines receive awards and 30% or more typically score gold or above.”

NCWC only promotes the highest awarded-wines (golds and above), keeping your win exceptional and exclusive. Golds are converted into a point score above 90 and all 90+ point wines will get a marketable positive comment from the judging panel. Winning gold medals can help boost sales and brand awareness for producers of all sizes, but small wineries can truly benefit from a gold medal in this contest.

“I like to think of this competition as the ‘size me up’ competition, where wineries and winemakers that enter get way more than they do from usual wine competitions,” says Groom. “Not only do you get the typical medal, but gold medal-winning wines get a 90 point or higher score and a marketing comment from the judges.

“In addition to that, they get to showcase their winning wines to 1000+ passionate consumers at the North Coast Wine and Food Festival, a wonderful opportunity for promoting and selling. Stellar coverage in the widely read Press Democrat newspaper adds to the rewards and, if that’s not enough, every winemaker is in the running to be awarded Winemaker of the Year in the Harvest edition of Sonoma Magazine.

“So I encourage winemakers to enter and get ‘sized up,’” he concludes.

The best wines draw the best professional wine judges, who annually vie for a coveted spot to judge NCWC. Many are seasoned retailers, distributors, restaurateurs and influential wine writers, who promote the wines they enjoy and can help give your wine increased exposure.

Groom adds, “All of our 30+ judges are hand-selected not only because they have great palates and wine expertise but because they have added value — being restaurant or retail buyers or members of the media who love to write about the wines they taste and discover.”

Public announcement of awards is made in print by The Press Democrat newspaper, the North Bay Area’s primary source for news and information. Additional ongoing promotion is made in other print publications, online, by virtual newsletters and through social media outlets.

Gold medal winners are invited to pour and have their wines enjoyed at the North Coast Wine & Food Festival, annually organized and hosted by The Press Democrat. This is a fun-filled day enjoyed by wine enthusiasts from near and far, who look forward to tasting the Best of the Best wines Northern California has to offer.

Enter the 2026 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge before midnight, March 16 for an Early Bird discount. Final entry deadline is March 26.

Visit https://www.pdncwc.com/ for more information. 

Domaine Della 2023 Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir Takes Top Prize 

November 18, 2025 — Winners have been announced in the 2025 Harvest Challenge Wine Competition. After two spirited days of judging, Domaine Della 2023 Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir took the top prize. It was also awarded Best of Show Red Wine and Best of Monterey County AVA. Coming in at 98 points, judges praised the wine as “warm and spicy” with “fig and nutmeg.” Other descriptors included “meaty,” “prosciutto,” and “dried rose petal.” 

With entries from across the globe, the Harvest Challenge bases judging on a group of vineyards (or even vines) from the same region, belonging to a specific appellation and sharing the same type of soil, weather conditions and grapes that combine to give personality to the wine. 

In other competitions, this terroir is ignored. At the Harvest Challenge, judges taste wines alongside others from the same appellation. With cross-regional competition removed, the inherent quality of wines can be seen without the influences that sometimes eclipse even a wine of very high quality.

Below is a list of Best of Class medals awarded at this year’s competition. Visit www.winecompetitions.com for more information.

2025 Harvest Challenge Wine Competition Best of Show Winners 

Best of the Best, Best of Monterey County AVA, Best Red Wine Domaine Della 2023 Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir (Best of Class, Double Gold, 98 pts.) 

Judges: “Warm, spicy”; “fig and nutmeg”; “dried rose petal”; “meaty, prosciutto” 

Best of Anderson Valley AVA, Best White Wine 

Navarro Vineyards 2024 Grüner Veltliner (BOC, GG, 98) 

Judges: “Minerality”; “white flower”; “stone fruit” 

Best Yadkin Valley NC AVA, Best Sparkling Wine 

JOLO Winery & Vineyards 2024 Pearl D Blanc (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Fun blend”; “true to varietal, balanced”; “lemon, apple pie, spice”; “great acid”; “crowd pleaser” 

Best of France, Best Rosé Wine 

Hemispheres Lacalice NV Grenache (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Really fruity but not sweet”; “element of spice”; “wild strawberry”; “rosé all day” 

Best of Ontario DVA, Best Port 

Potter Settlement Artisan Winery 2021 Tawny Portage (BOC, GG, 99) Judges: “Caramel apples”; “candied orange peel”; “dried apples”; “apricots”; “exquisite” 

Best of Argentina 

Gallo Alamos 2023 Malbec Seleccion (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Earthy, toasty, savory”; “soft tannins and a lingering finish”; “dark chocolate”; “true to varietal” 

Best of California 

Redland Ranch 2024 Chardonnay (BOC, GG, 95) 

Judges: “Ginger fruit”; “crisp, clean”; “bright tropical fruit”

Best of Central Coast AVA 

Unshackled 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Green herbs”; “dark charry, spices”; “baking chocolate”; “brambly” 

Best of Chalk Hill AVA 

Blaverne 2024 Sauvignon Blanc (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Crisp and rich”; “grapefruit”; “tropical” 

Best of Chile 

Hemispheres Alquira 2022 Carménère (BOC, GG, 98) 

Judges: “Blackberry”; “green olive”; “salty ocean”; “round with a long finish” 

Best of Clarksburg AVA 

DaVero Farms & Winery 2022 Falanghina (BOC, GG, 95) 

Judges: “Minerally”; “subtle spice”; “vaguely floral”; “layered and succulent” 

Best of Delaware AVA 

Nassau Valley Vineyards Naked Chardonnay NV (BOC, G, 90) Judges: “Well-produced”; “balanced sweetness” 

Best of Dry Creek AVA 

Amphora Winery 2022 GSM Gasparini-Beals Vineyard (BOC, GG, 97) Judges: “Complex”; “good example of true berry”; “cherry”; “nice aromas” 

Best of FingerLakes AVA 

Brashley Vineyards 2022 Wagner Vineyard Dry Riesling (BOC, GG, 97) Judges: “Wonderful nose of kumquat”; “incredible texture; “nectarine” 

Best of Fountaingrove District AVA 

Bricoloeur Vineyards 2024 Kick Ranch Viognier (BOC, G, 92) 

Judges: “Very appealing”; “nice floral nose”: “subtle yet substantive mid-palate” 

Best of Italy 

Hemispheres Cantina Etrusca 2023 Friulano (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Balanced”; “floral”; “white pear”; “good acidity” 

Best of Knights Valley AVA 

EHRET Winery 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Bavarian Lion Vineyard (BOC, GG, 98) Judges: “Cellar-worthy”; “olive oil, redwood and spice”; “well-made”

Best of Lake County AVA 

R Vineyards 2023 Reba Red (BOC, G, 94) 

Judges: “Rich and earthy”; “nice blend” 

Best of Lewis-Clark Valley AVA 

Basalt Cellars 2020 Wasem Estate Stone Garden Red (BOC, GG, 97) Judges: “Cocoa powder”; “well-integrated”; “well-balanced”; “silky tannins” 

Best of Livermore Valley AVA 

Garré Vineyard and Winery 2022 Cabernet Franc (BOC, GG, 99) Judges: “Excellent nose”; “dark raspberry”; “silky tannins”; “pleasing finish” 

Best of Mendocino County AVA 

Navarro Vineyards 2024 White Roan (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Ripe entry”; “tropical notes”; “complexity, nice acid”; “nice finish” 

Best of Mokelumne River 

Oak Farm Vineyards 2023 Grenache Noir (BOC, G, 91) 

Judges: “Strawberry”; “dry sherry”; “very berry”; “solid grenache” 

Best of Napa County AVA 

Rutherford Ranch 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (BOC, GG, 98) 

Judges: “Dark, concentrated, chewy”; “deep layers”; “well-balanced with a long finish”; “silky” 

Best of Napa Valley AVA 

Penrose Hill 2024 Anachronism Vintner’s Reserve (BOC, GG, 96) Judges: “Crowd pleaser”; “floral and zingy”; “showstopper”; “very pleasant from aroma to finish” 

Best of Nevada 

Charleston Peak Winery 2023 Sauvignon Blanc (BOC, G, 91) 

Judges: “Peach and citrus”; “refreshing”; “crisp” 

Best of New Zealand AVA 

Hemispheres Lanark 2024 Sauvignon Blanc (BOC, GG, 99) 

Judges: “Grassy”; “grapefruit”; “rich and full” 

Best of North Carolina AVA 

JOLO Winery & Vineyards 2022 Carolus XII (BOC, GG, 979)

Judges: Toast, dark fruit, hint of allspice”; “ earthy, balanced, complex”; “well-structured”; “great acid with a lingering finish” 

Best of North Coast AVA 

Predator 2024 Chardonnay (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Mineral”; “lemon pit”; “really pleasant mouthfeel” 

Best of Oak Knolls AVA 

Fortunati Vineyards 2022 Estate Chardonnay (BOC, GG, 98) 

Judges: “Apple, pear”; “nice acid”; “well-integrated throughout”; “bright finish”; “nice use of oak” 

Best of Ohio AVA 

The Vineyards at Pine Lake 2024 Vineyards White (BOC, G, 91) 

Judges: “Nice acidity and blending”; “complex with nice structure” 

Best of Paso Robles AVA 

Les Bottes à Terre 2024 Sauvignon Blanc (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Grapefruit”; “consumer friendly”; “bright and fresh”; “crowd pleaser” 

Best of Rockpile AVA 

McCarter Cellars 2024 Zinfandel Leigh Thomas Vineyard (BOC, G, 91) Judges: “Elegant”; “blackberry”; “spicy notes” 

Best of Rogue Valley AVA 

Belle Fiore 2022 Icon Montepulciano (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Black cherry, spice”; “lip-smacking dark fruit”; “earthy”; “controlled tannins” 

Best of Russian River Valley AVA 

McCarter Cellars 2023 Pinot Noir (BOC, GG, 98) 

Judges: “Bright fruit — cherry, blueberry”; “caramel”; “crème brûlée” 

Best of San Luis Rey 

Charleston Peak Winery 2019 Left Bank Blend (BOC, G, 93) 

Judges: “Bright red fruit”; “well integrated”; “seamless with a great finish” 

Best of Santa Cruz Mountains AVA 

Perrucci Family Vineyard 2022 Estate Malbec (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Black fruit”; “lovely, easy”; “bright and outstanding”

Best of Santa Rita Hills AVA 

Fortunati Vineyards 2023 Pinot Noir (BOC, G, 94) 

Judges: “Bright red fruit”; “clean, beautifully balanced”; “baked berries” 

Best of Santa Ynez Valley AVA 

Brick Barn Wine Estate 2022 Rhône Blend (BOC, GG, 99) 

Judges: “Plum”; “currant”; “bold” 

Best of Shenandoah Valley AVA 

Fraser Family Vineyards 2024 Dolcetto (BOC, GG, 96) 

Judges: “Cocoa powder”; “dark fruits”; “savory herbs”; “rosemary” 

Best of Solano 

Legis Vineyards & Winery 2021 Estate Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (BOC, G, 91) 

Judges: “Varietally correct”; “black peppercorn”; “seamless, smooth finish” 

Best of Sonoma Coast AVA 

Domaine Della 2023 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (BOG, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Red plum and cherry”; “spicy”; “earthy with a long finish” 

Best of Sonoma County AVA 

Brue Skok Cellars 2018 Judge’s Verdict Rhône Style Red Blend (BOC, GG, 99) Judges: “Lively fresh blend”; “great food wine”; “blueberry and peppercorn” 

Best of Sonoma Valley AVA 

Rock and Clay Wines 2024 White Blend (BOC, GG, 99) 

Judges: “Honeyed apricot, quince”; “bright stone fruit”; “superb nose”; “perfect mouthfeel”; “makes me want to own a yacht” 

Best of South Africa AVA 

Weelderige Velde 2024 Pinotage (BOC, G, 94) 

Judges: “Black cherry and coffee” 

Best of Spain 

Finca del Marquesado 2024 Tempranillo Blanc (BOC, GG, 98) 

Judges: “Candied grapefruit”; “bright, zingy”; “zesty finish”; “crowd pleaser” 

Best of Tehama County AVA 

New Clairvaux Vineyard 2024 Albariño St. James Block (BOC, GG, 99)

Judges: “Wonderful stone fruit aroma”; “lemon curd”; “honey flavored with touch of brine” 

Best of Temecula Valley AVA 

Churon Winery 2023 Estate Tempranillo (BOC, G, 94) 

Judges: “Crunchy red fruit”; “pleasant mouthfeel”; “gentle, earthy notes” 

Best of Virginia AVA 

Pearmund Cellars 2022 Cabernet Franc Silver Creek Vineyard (BOC, GG, 99) Judges: “Olives”; “green tea”; “dried bay leaves”; “green peppercorn” 

Best of Washington State AVA 

Basalt Cellars 2019 Estate Merlot (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Refreshing”; “terroir-based”; “brambly”

We've Reached the Final Week to Enter the North Coast Wine Challenge! 

The deadline for entry is March 21st. Best of Show winners will be featured in a special webinar series with The Press Democrat!

In addition to crowning the Best Wines of the North Coast, we're excited to announce the new Winemaker of the Year award, with the winner featured in Sonoma Magazine's Harvest edition.

Don't Wait - Enter Today! 

THE DEADLINE IS NEAR -

DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!

ENTER NOW.

THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS

FRIDAY MARCH 22ND.

TOP REASONS TO ENTER -



• Exclusivity - This is a regional competition that ONLY rates wines produced and bottled in Northern California's premier winegrowing region.

• Multi-Channel Promotion - Public announcement of awards is made in print by the Press Democrat, the North Bay Area's primary source for news and information

• Judges with Influence - The best wines draw the best professional wine judges who annually vie for a coveted spot to judge here. Many are seasoned retailers, distributors, restaurateurs and wine writers with influence. They know how to promote the wines they enjoy and can help give your wine increased exposure.

• Public Tasting - Gold medal-winners are invited to pour and have their wines enjoyed at the North Coast Wine & Food Festival annually organized and hosted by The Press Democrat. This is a fun-filled day enjoyed by wine enthusiasts near and far who look forward to tasting the Best of the Best wines Northern California has to offer.

MEET OUR JUDGES

It's Time to Enter the 2024 Press Democrat

North Coast Wine Challenge

-Celebrating the Best of the Best-

Enter Today

North Coast counties:

Lake

Mendocino

Sonoma

Napa

Marin

Solano

Who will be this year's Best of the Best?

Visit Our Website

TOP REASONS TO ENTER -



• Exclusivity - This is a regional competition that ONLY rates wines produced and bottled in Northern California's premier winegrowing region.

• Multi-Channel Promotion - Public announcement of awards is made in print by the Press Democrat, the North Bay Area's primary source for news and information

• Judges with Influence - The best wines draw the best professional wine judges who annually vie for a coveted spot to judge here. Many are seasoned retailers, distributors, restaurateurs and wine writers with influence. They know how to promote the wines they enjoy and can help give your wine increased exposure.

• Public Tasting - Gold medal-winners are invited to pour and have their wines enjoyed at the North Coast Wine & Food Festival annually organized and hosted by The Press Democrat. This is a fun-filled day enjoyed by wine enthusiasts near and far who look forward to tasting the Best of the Best wines Northern California has to offer.

MEET OUR JUDGES

It's Time to Enter the 2024 Press Democrat

North Coast Wine Challenge

-Celebrating the Best of the Best-

Enter Today

North Coast counties:

Lake

Mendocino

Sonoma

Napa

Marin

Solano

Who will be this year's Best of the Best?

Visit Our Website

Early Entry discount ends today at midnight!

Don't miss the opportunity to save $

EXCEPTIONAL JUDGES!

MEET OUR JUDGES

It's Time to Enter the 2024 Press Democrat

North Coast Wine Challenge

-Celebrating the Best of the Best-

Enter Today

North Coast counties:

Lake

Mendocino

Sonoma

Napa

Marin

Solano

Who will be this year's Best of the Best?

Enter Online Here

Download Shipping Label

SEE WEBSITE

WHAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKE AN EXCEPTIONAL WINE COMPETITION?

EXCEPTIONAL JUDGES!

MEET OUR JUDGES

It's Time to Enter the 2024 Press Democrat

North Coast Wine Challenge

-Celebrating the Best of the Best-

Enter Today

North Coast counties:

Lake

Mendocino

Sonoma

Napa

Marin

Solano

Who will be this year's Best of the Best?

Save $$$,

Enter before March 11th!

Enter Online Here

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In Dedication to Bill Hayes - Judge

The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge along with its intimate team of judges are saddened by the recent loss of much-loved fellow judge Bill Hayes.

Bill was one of the core judges for the past 5 competitions and his expertise, knowledge, experience, and friendliness will be very much missed.

Says Daryl Groom Chief Judge “Bill was always top of my list to invite back every year. He had a great palate but more importantly he just got along with everyone. He is a judge you could put on any panel as he loved and appreciated all wines and simply got along with everyone. He was always happy and smiling and at the end of every competition made sure he came and thanked me for having him and how much he enjoyed himself. He was often the last one to leave, always being around and volunteering for any Gold Medal judge offs for Best of Class. He oozed passion, respect, and kindness.



BILL Hayes -

Wine Buyer Bounty Hunter Wine Bar | Napa, CA. 

Bill Hayes is the Wine Buyer for the well known Bounty Hunter Wine Bar and Smokin' BBQ. With over 33 years of career experience in the Wine Retail industry, Bill has developed key relationships with winery Owners, Winemakers, Growers as well as other industry partners that have cultivated his vast knowledge of and passion for Wines around the world. Bill’s career in the Wine business began as a Buyer with the Liquor Barn stores. Bill was also a part of the Kendall-Jackson Family Wine organization where he managed the Distributor portfolio that included Kendall-Jackson, La Crema, Cambria and Stonestreet Wines. In 1994 Bill joined BevMo! as one of its very first employees as the Corporate Wine Buyer. He has played key roles in the development, launching and fostering of BevMo!’s iconic 5₵ Wine Sale that has grown from one Wine to now over two-hundred. As part of the BevMo! Private Label/Exclusive Wine program, Bill has traveled throughout Europe and South America to work with Wineries and industry partners to blend and bottle Import Wines such as Zolo and Tapiz, and has blended and developed varietal extensions of the Unruly , Shiloh Road and Stateland Cellars brands. Bill’s current focus with BevMo! is sourcing and developing the premium selection of wines from around the world and promote the local brands for the next-generation BevMo! Consumer. The Hayes family has had deep roots in the Russian River Valley and its Wine industry for over 50 years. Bill continues that heritage and tradition through his love and passion of Wine, whether it be an approachable bottle or a rare bottle for his cellar. If you know Bill, you have been fortunate enough to share in a great bottle of Wine along with a story that truly captures the spirit of the Wine, its origins and the people who made it.

Enter Today

It's time once again to enter your best wines into the prestigious Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge, honoring wines only produced from the following

North Coast counties:

Lake

Mendocino

Sonoma

Napa

Marin

Solano

Who will be this year's Best of the Best?

Save $$$,

Enter before March 10th!

Enter Online Here

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SEE WEBSITE

January 29th – On April 2-3, 2024, a collection of esteemed wine professionals will gather in Santa Rosa, Calif., to evaluate entries in the 2024 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge. Competition managers are now accepting entries for the 12th annual NCWC, considered among the most prestigious wine challenges in the United States. 

This regional competition rates wines exclusively produced and bottled in Northern California’s premier winegrowing region to determine which wines are considered the Best of the Best. Eligible wines must be made from fruit sourced in the North Coast AVAs of Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, Marin and parts of Solano counties. This includes any bottled wine labeled with these AVAs as their main source of grapes and whose winery is in California. 

“The competition focuses only on the high quality wines made on the North Coast that includes the six local counties,” says Daryl Groom, chief judge of NCWC. “We do not allow entries outside of these premium appellations nor allow international entries. Our judges know the quality will be high. Every past competition, judges have awarded more than 20% of the wines Gold Medal or above — some years up to 30%.” 

NCWC only promotes the highest awarded-wines (golds and above), keeping your win exceptional and exclusive. Golds are converted into a point score above 90 and all 90+ point wines will get a marketable positive comment from the judging panel. Winning gold medals can help boost sales and brand awareness for producers of all sizes, but small wineries can truly benefit from a gold medal in this contest. 

The best wines draw the best professional wine judges, who annually vie for a coveted spot to judge NCWC. Many are seasoned retailers, distributors, restaurateurs and influential wine writers, who promote the wines they enjoy and can help give your wine increased exposure. 

“Our professional judges are the most experienced and influential in the area and are made up of retail and restaurant buyers, prominent winemakers, sommeliers, media personalities and wine writers,” says Groom. “So aside from winning medals, wineries that enter get their wines exposed to the North Coast wine industry ‘movers and shakers.’” 

Public announcement of awards is made in print by The Press Democrat newspaper, the North Bay Area’s primary source for news and information. Additional ongoing promotion is made in other print publications, online, by virtual newsletters, and through social media outlets. 

“One of the core efforts of our company is to bring the community together, to engage our audiences in ways that educate, inform and celebrate,” says Eric Johnson, CEO and publisher for Sonoma Media Investments, which owns the Press Democrat newspaper. “Through the North Coast Wine Challenge, we are able to celebrate the amazing products of our region. [It] supports our local economy and recognizes the role the community plays in its production — from the vineyard workers to the winemakers.” 

Gold medal winners are invited to pour and have their wines enjoyed at the North Coast Wine & Food Festival, annually organized and hosted by The Press Democrat. This is a fun-filled day enjoyed by wine enthusiasts from near and far, who look forward to tasting the Best of the Best wines Northern California has to offer. 

“The North Bay Food and Wine Festival is a fantastic way for our winning regional winemakers to introduce their wines to thousands of wine enthusiasts from all over Northern California,” continues Johnson. “Included in their ticket price, guests will have access to the best wines produced in our region along with food samples from some incredible area chefs. Being relatively new to the area — and a first-time attendee at last-years event — I’ve really never seen anything like it. It’s definitely one of the things that makes living in Sonoma County incredibly special.” 

Enter the 2024 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge before midnight, March 11 for an Early Bird discount. Final entry deadline is March 22. 

Visit https://www.pdncwc.com/ for more information.

EARLY ENTRY DISCOUNT ENDS FRIDAY!

MARCH 10TH.

Enter Here 

Judging April 4 -5th

Deadline to Enter

March 24th 

Visit our Facebook page for a

special message from

Daryl Groom, Chief Judge

Recipient of 8 Winemaker of the Year awards. 

Who will be this year's Best of the Best?

Add you name here........

Enter your best wines into the prestigious Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge, honoring wines only produced from the following

North Coast counties:

Lake

Mendocino

Sonoma

Napa

Marin

Solano

Early Bird Discount - Save $$,

Enter before March 10th!

Enter Online Here 

Download Shipping Label 

SEE WEBSITE

EARLY ENTRY DISCOUNT ONLY LASTS

UNTIL MARCH 10TH.

SAVE $ NOW

Enter Here 

Judging April 4 -5th

Deadline to Enter

March 24th 

Who will be this year's Best of the Best?

Add your name here........

Enter your best wines into the prestigious Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge, honoring wines only produced from the following

North Coast counties:

Lake

Mendocino

Sonoma

Napa

Marin

Solano

Early Bird Discount - Save $

Enter before March 10th!

Enter Online Here 

Download Shipping Label 

SEE WEBSITE 

2022 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge

We are nearing the deadline. Last day to enter is less than a week away.

Deadline 3/28

ENTER HERE

5 REASONS that benefit you to enter

1. Exclusivity - This is a regional competition that ONLY rates wines exclusively produced and bottled in Northern California's premier winegrowing region
2. Only Gold Medals + Are Published - This is a marketing advantage that other competitions don't offer.  We promote ONLY the highest awarded-wines (golds and above), keeping your win exceptional and exclusive.
3. Judges with Influence - The best wines draw the best professional wine judges who annually vie for a coveted spot to judge here. 
4. Multi-Channel Promotion - Public announcement of awards is made in print by The Press Democrat, the North Bay Area's primary source for news and information. 
5. Public Tasting - Gold medal-winners are invited to pour and have their wines enjoyed at the North Coast Wine & Food  Festival annually organized and hosted by The Press Democrat.
   

Learn More

Join this Notable Group of Winning Wines with the 
2021 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge

The Best of the Best in the North Coast

The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge is unlike many other wine competitions by honoring wines only produced from the California North Coast - by far one of the prestigious wine regions in the country..

The North Coast Wine Challenge offers award winning exposure in print by The Press Democrat, the North Bay Area's largest source for news and information, through on-going promotion in both print and online publications, and through extensive social media outlets.

2020 Award Winning Wines include:

Best of the Best

Sangiacomo Family Wine:
Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2018

“Winning the Best of the Best award allowed us to grow our customer interactions organically. We’re so grateful to have been discovered by new wine-loving fans in our region, it’s been very exciting!”

Best of the Show - Rosé

Rodney Strong Vineyards:
Rosé of Pinot Noir 2019

“The competition is important because it’s tied to the leading publication in the area and gives our team great pride in our hometown. We’re very excited and honored to win against such great wineries in this competition.”

This wine competition is a solid investment in creating exposure and awareness for your wine brand.

Entry Deadline: March 25th • Judging: April 6th - 7th

Learn More and Enter Online Now

In response to steps county officials are taking to minimize the spread of the coronavirus, the North Coast Wine Challenge has been postponed. However, organizers are still accepting entries at pdncwc.com.

Past contests have drawn more than 1,000 entries from across the North Bay — Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Marin, Lake and Solano counties. And winemakers whose bottles have risen to the top to claim the Best of the Best title have seen their wins echo in unexpected ways.

The contest is now in its eighth year. Organizers hope judging will take place in May. The gold medal-winners will be invited to pour at the North Coast Wine & Food Festival. Hosted by the Press Democrat, the event is planned to be held at a new venue this year –– Santa Rosa’s Luther Burbank Center for the Arts.

Only once, in 2018, has an entry scored a perfect 100 out of 100 points in the Wine Challenge — the Kokomo 2016 Gopher Hills Block, Peters Vineyard, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.

“The win put us in a different category,” said Kokomo Winery co-owner and winemaker Erik Miller. A far-reaching media response followed, all the way back to Miller’s hometown in Indiana. At the winery, the winning wine sold out in three days.

Last year, after St. Francis Winery’s 2016 Tres Viejos, Sonoma County, Old Vines Zinfandel was declared the Best of the Best with 99 points, the winery also saw demand jump and supply eventually run out.

For the 2017 winner, Taft Street, which scored 98 points with its 2016 Russian River Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir, the win brought more visitors to their tasting room. It also was a reward in itself.

Read the full article: https://www.pressdemocrat.com/lifestyle/10787985-181/past-winners-of-the-north?artslide=5&sba=AAS