Though the Sunset International Wine Competition is in it’s 9th year introducing western wine drinkers to best wines in the industry, this will be the 4th year that we’ve had the category “Best of the Best”. Beyond Gold, Double Gold, Best in Class and Best in Show is the one wine that’s considered the very best of that competition year. Take a look at the Best of the Best of the past three years. The Best of the Best 2022 2018 Wapato Point Cellars Cabernet Franc 2023 2022 Brecon Estate Albariño 2024 2022 Trentadue Montepulciano Entry now open for the 2025 competition The Sunset International Wine Competition will take place June 10th - 12th, 2025. The final deadline for submission is May 22nd, 2025. Enter the Competition

Afternoon Brief: Global Wine Recovery on the Horizon

The wine industry could be back on an upward trajectory in as little as 12 months, according to one study...

Afternoon Brief: Global Wine Production Falls to Lowest Level Since 1961

Global wine production has plummeted to a 63-year low after frost, heavy rains and drought ravaged vineyards throughout 2024...

Afternoon Brief: Sugarloaf Custom Winery Seeks Bankruptcy Protection as $13 Million Loan in Default

Sugarloaf Wine Co. southeast of Santa Rosa filed for Chapter 11 reorganization as loan on winery goes into foreclosure. Founder says hundreds of thousands of dollars from the winery and a separate vineyard operation went to fund a fintech startup...

JUNE 28, 2024 – Winners have been announced in the 17th annual Women’s International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWWSC). The competition, which took place June 10-12 in Santa Rosa, Calif., was founded on the premise that the majority of wine purchased for home consumption is bought by women. The IWWSC judging panels consist entirely of professional women in the wine and spirits industries — winemakers, distillers, marketers, buyers, sommeliers, educators and journalists.  “As always, the International Women’s Wine & Spirits Competition shined a spotlight on hundreds of deserving wines,” says Debra Del Fiorentino, owner of Wine Competitions Management & Production, which organizes and presents IWWSC. “And even though entry is open to all winemakers regardless of gender, I found it gratifying that six of this year’s sweepstakes wines were created by women. And our overall wine winner also was named Best Woman Winemaker

Afternoon Brief, May 8th

In a Major Pinot Noir Purchase, Constellation Buys Sta. Rita Hills Icon Sea Smoke: The Santa Barbara County winery was a key player in the region’s Pinot Noir and Chardonnay renaissance...

Afternoon Brief, April 16th

Eleanor Coppola, Filmmaker Who Helped Rebuild Inglenook Winery's Legacy, Dies at 87: The artist, documentarian, author and vintner left her mark on Hollywood and Napa Valley...

Sunset Magazine is thrilled to announce the call for entries in the 2024 Sunset International Wine Competition! For the 8th consecutive year, Sunset Magazine, the definitive lifestyle brand of the modern American West, proudly presents the Sunset International Wine Competition. Our engaged, discerning, and wine aficionado Sunset audience perfectly pairs with the select panel of judges comprised of seasoned wine professionals, Master Sommeliers, and Masters of Wine to celebrate the brightest and boldest wines of the year. Meet 2023's Competition Winners: 2023 Sunset International Wine Competition  BEST OF SHOW Brecon Estate 2022 Albarino Best of the Best Best of Show - White Wine Husch Vineyards 2022 Muscat Canelli Best of Show Dessert/Late Harvest Sojourn Cellars NV Brut Sparkling Best of Show Sparkling Wine La Storia Trentadue Winery 2020 Merlot Best of Show Red Wine Seaglass Trinchero Family Estates 2021 Rosé Best of Show Rosé Wine T

Afternoon Brief, June 19th

Politicians Are Quietly Creating a New Route for Restaurants to Sell Wine: Working Lunch: It's an often-overlooked channel with plenty of room for growth, according to a lobbyist in the trenches...

Afternoon Brief, June 12th

Shafer Acquires ‘World Class’ Napa Vineyard: California’s Shafer Vineyards has supercharged its Cabernet Sauvignon offering with its latest purchase, a vineyard in Napa’s Atlas Peak AVA...