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 Challen

The ninth annual Rich Smith Award of Excellence for outstanding contributions to the American grape and wine industry was presented today to Emily Hodson, the winemaker at Veritas Vineyards and Winery, a co-owner of Flying Fox Vineyards and Winery, and an active leader in the Virginia wine industry. Members of the Smith family and sponsoring organizations present the Rich Smith award to Emily Hodson (third from left). The prestigious award annually reflects the spirit and accomplishments of the late Richard (Rich) Smith, founder of Valley Farm Management and Smith Family Wines in California’s Santa Lucia Highlands wine region in Monterey County. Rich was first and foremost a family man, but also a successful grape grower and winery owner, and a highly respected colleague known for the combination of passion, commitment and collaboration which helped advance the American grape and wine industry. Ever since Rich passed away in December 2015, three organizations—WineAmerica, N

Afternoon Brief: Wine Industry Network Recognizes 5 Companies with 2024 WINnovation Awards

The winners of Wine Industry Networks 12th annual WINnovation Awards for excellence in wine industry innovation are...

One of the larger industry trends reflected here at LibDib is the proliferation of craft tequila and mezcal brands. These brands have amazing stories behind them and we love supporting small importers and distilleries. So do our retail, bar and restaurant customers throughout our 15 states.   Here’s a sample of a few of the most amazing craft tequila and mezcal brands: Black Sheep Tequila: For spirits connoisseurs craving a taste for something new, yet extraordinarily steeped in tradition, Black Sheep Tequila provides a line of tequilas produced entirely from the labor-intensive, centuries-old, hands-on process. This tequila is sourced from only the highest-quality 100 percent Weber Blue Agave and is traditionally handcrafted to create the perfect balance of flavors. Additive free, Black Sheep shares clean unique styles of tequila, including the famous Still Strength Aged 15 Year Extra Añejo, Barrel Strength Extra Añejo, Extra Añejo, Añejo, Reposa

by MATT ALBRECHT  INNOVATIVE AGING THROUGH TRADITIONAL SOLUTIONS. While the barrel isn’t new, the way winemakers view them is evolving. Eying the trends of the worlds most appealing and best selling craft beer, we see reds and whites, of all different varietals, being paired with freshly used barrels. From rich bourbon barrel wine like Cabernets to decadent tequila barrel Sauvignons, the spirits emerge from deep within the wood to add an unparalleled level of complexity and body. Rum barrels deliver a mouthwatering sweetness; a rye barrel will bring its classic spice. Aging options now soar miles beyond just a handful of wood species, while creating inarguable reputations amongst passionate liquid artisans around the world. INNOVATION AT ITS FINEST, TRADITION AT ITS PUREST. Aging wine in spirit barrels isn’t new – winemakers have used bourbon barrels for decades when new oak has been in short supply. As craft beer and specialty spirits continue t

Wineries can now offer bubbles from California’s mid-state AVA Manveer Sandhu Rack & Riddle, the #1 custom sparkling wine producer in the United States, has expanded their portfolio of wine offerings to include two new sparkling wines from California’s Central Coast region.  Rack & Riddle’s new Central Coast Sparkling Wine Program includes a Méthode Champenoise Brut and a Rosé. Vineyard sourcing is from the Central Coast American Viticultural Area. This region includes Monterey Bay and Santa Lucia Highlands sub-AVA’s, places long prized for growing cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, ideal for crafting premium sparkling wines. “The Central Coast, with its maritime influence, is a region optimal for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir,” said Rack & Riddle Executive Director of Winemaking Manveer Sandhu, “Elegant grapes with bright acidity are grown in this AVA, ideal for making premium sparkling wines f

Afternoon Brief, April 23rd

Wine Industry Makes Sustainability Push with New Packaging Alliance: A new alliance of wine brands is launching a push for sustainable packaging solutions across the US wine industry...

Tailgate | Fungicide Spraying: Reduce Your Carbon Footprint & Financial Burden Learn how to optimize the use of biofungicides alone or integrated into a conventional fungicide program.  Dr. Ding of Cal Poly shares results from a recent study on on the efficacy of different fungicide programs and their impact on grape yield and berry chemistry.  Talk with farmers from three growing regions about their fungicide programs. Plus, learn about Cal Poly’s wine & vit programs during a tour of the new, state of the art winery and vineyard. REGISTER Agenda: 8:30 am - Winery Tour with Erica Nordby, CalPoly 9:00 - 11:00 am - Presentations & Panel Discussion Speakers: Shunping Ding, Cal Poly Erica Nordby, Cal Poly Erin Amaral, Pacific Coast Farming Hilary Graves, Booker Wines Ruben Solorzano, Coastal Vineyard Care Associates Bob Thomas, Mesa Vineyard Management CE Approved: DPR 1 - O; CCA 2 - IPM REGISTER Directions: - Take exit for California Blvd. - turn right o

Tailgate | Fungicide Spraying: Reduce Your Carbon Footprint & Financial Burden Learn how to optimize the use of biofungicides alone or integrated into a conventional fungicide program.  Dr. Ding of Cal Poly shares results from a recent study on on the efficacy of different fungicide programs and their impact on grape yield and berry chemistry.  Talk with farmers from three growing regions about their fungicide programs. Plus, learn about Cal Poly’s wine & vit programs during a tour of the new, state of the art winery and vineyard. REGISTER Agenda: 8:30 am - Winery Tour with Erica Nordby, CalPoly 9:00 - 11:00 am - Presentations & Panel Discussion Speakers: Shunping Ding, Cal Poly Erica Nordby, Cal Poly Erin Amaral, Pacific Coast Farming Hilary Graves, Booker Wines Ruben Solorzano, Coastal Vineyard Care Associates Bob Thomas, Mesa Vineyard Management CE Approved: DPR 1 - O; CCA 2 - IPM REGISTER Directions: - Take exit for California Blvd. - turn right