Afternoon Brief, October 12th

Staff Shortages Continue to Bite in the Wine Trade: Almost half (45%) of companies in the wine trade have been impacted by staff shortages in the last two years, with wine producers worst affected due to the seasonality of jobs such as picking...

2022 Sunset International Wine Competition Awards Best of the Best and Best Red Wine to Wapato Point Cellars’ 2018 Cabernet Franc Santa Rosa, Calif., — June 14, 2022—Boasting a record number of entries, the 2022 Sunset International Wine Competition awarded Best of the Best and Best Red Wine to a Cabernet Franc from Wapato Point Cellars (Manson, Wash.). Judges raved: “Beautiful oak”; “Blackberry”; “Righteous herbal”; “Focused.” This is the first time a Washington State wine has taken top prize at this prestigious competition. “It was unexpected but well deserved,” says Debra Del Fiorentino, founder and president of Wine Competitions Management & Productions. “We had some really great wines in the final sweepstakes rounds, and Wapato Point Cellars swoops in and takes it all. Results like this are why competitions are so valuable.” To win Best of Show Red Wine, the Wapato Point Cab Franc ha

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+ wi