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, t

Wright Contracting’s dedicated team specializes in creating stunning winery spaces to elevate your brand, enhance guest experience and leading-edge production facilities that blend efficiency and tradition. With our stellar portfolio, we bring a wealth of expertise in: custom winery construction, renovations and expansions. Let us help you craft a beautiful, functional space that reflects your unique vision. From concept to completion, we’re committed to excellence every step of the way. Transform your winery dreams into reality.  Wright Contracting Unified Symposium Booth: 1016 For over 70 years, Wright Contracting has built a reputation as the leading commercial construction company in the North Bay. This tradition of craftsmanship has earned us the opportunity to build and renovate many of the North Bay’s most notable landmarks, including wineries such as Domaine Carneros, Cakebread Cellars, Chateau Montelena, Dominus, Hamel Family Wines and many more. With of

76 Restaurants from across the country and Mexico receive inaugural ‘Magnum Award’  SANTA ROSA, Calif. (September 2, 2025) – Seventy-six restaurants spanning from Graton, California, to Greenwich, Connecticut, are being honored with the 2025 Sonoma County Magnum Award for their exceptional support and promotion of Sonoma County wines.  Earlier this year, Sonoma County Winegrowers launched this new initiative to recognize restaurants that demonstrate outstanding support for Sonoma County wines and showcasing Sonoma County as a world-class wine region. Each restaurant will receive a uniquely etched magnum bottle, symbolizing their role as an ambassador for Sonoma County’s farmers, winemakers, and wines. During the year, Sonoma County wineries submitted nominations of restaurants they felt were deserving of recognition. Input was also provided by partners, trade, and sommeliers from throughout the country. Restaurants were selected based on key crit

Wakefield Taylors Wines and 1800 Milenio Take Top Honors July 14, 2025 — Winners have been announced in the 18th annual Women’s International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWWSC). The competition, which took place recently 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.  This year, Wakefield Taylor Wines 2024 Estate Riesling and 1800 Milenio Extra-Aged Añejo took top honors. Wakefield Taylor, a heritage winery in Australia’s Clare Valley (a region known for quality Reislings), wowed judges with its “mouthwatering citrus blooms” and “gentle salinity.”  A representative from 1800 Mileno remarked, “1800 Milenio is backed by 11 generations of tequila-making e

Wright Contracting’s dedicated team specializes in creating stunning winery spaces to elevate your brand, enhance guest experience and leading-edge production facilities that blend efficiency and tradition. With our stellar portfolio, we bring a wealth of expertise in: custom winery construction, renovations and expansions. Let us help you craft a beautiful, functional space that reflects your unique vision. From concept to completion, we’re committed to excellence every step of the way. Transform your winery dreams into reality.  Wright Contracting Unified Symposium Booth: 1121 For over 70 years, Wright Contracting has built a reputation as the leading commercial construction company in the North Bay. This tradition of craftsmanship has earned us the opportunity to build and renovate many of the North Bay’s most notable landmarks, including wineries such as Domaine Carneros, Cakebread Cellars, Chateau Montelena, Dominus, Hamel Family Wines and many more. With of

SANTA ROSA, Calif., Dec. 17, 2024-- Lumo, the precision irrigation company that invented the world's first smart irrigation valves, and AvidWater, a leading statewide full-service irrigation company, announced today a new strategic partnership to bring Lumo's precision irrigation system and AvidWater's unparalleled service to more California growers.  The expansion comes on the heels of Lumo's overwhelming success in Napa and Sonoma. Over 70 vineyards, and 5 of the 10 largest winegrape growers in the US, are already using Lumo smart valves to automate their irrigation and dial in their precision. With 24/7 remote control and block-level visibility into applied water volumes, growers are finally able to reliably verify that their crops are receiving the right amounts of water at the right times.  "The demand from growers beyond Napa and Sonoma has been strong, but we knew we needed to have dedicated local support in place to deliver an exceptional ex

Afternoon Brief, December 27th

PacifiCorp’s Wildfire Settlements Highlight Winery Lawsuits for 2020 Smoke Losses: Three Willamette Valley courts have just ruled that several Valley wineries may move forward with their suits against PacifiCorp for igniting wildfires that they claim ruined their 2020 harvests and vintages with smoke taint...

Best of Show Awarded to Brecon Estate Albariño    June 6, 2023 (Santa Rosa, Calif.) — Winners have been announced for the 2023 Sunset International Wine Competition, which took place in May in Santa Rosa, Calif. Taking the top spot this year is Brecon Estate 2022 Albariño, which judges described as “fresh and bright,” “honeysuckle,” with a “lingering finish.” Ultimately, they concluded, “a very well-made wine.”  Brecon Estate is a boutique estate winery located in the westside hills outside of Paso Robles, Calif. “This particular varietal has been hugely successful for us,” says winemaker Damian Grindley. “It fits so well with alfresco summers in Paso Robles and so many Southern states, as well as the seafood culture of the [San Luis Obispo] Coast. It’s helped put both Brecon Estate and Central Coast Albariño on the map.” He continues, “Its fruit sourcing h

Best of Show Awarded to Brecon Estate Albariño    June 6, 2023 (Santa Rosa, Calif.) — Winners have been announced for the 2023 Sunset International Wine Competition, which took place in May in Santa Rosa, Calif. Taking the top spot this year is Brecon Estate 2022 Albariño, which judges described as “fresh and bright,” “honeysuckle,” with a “lingering finish.” Ultimately, they concluded, “a very well-made wine.”  Brecon Estate is a boutique estate winery located in the westside hills outside of Paso Robles, Calif. “This particular varietal has been hugely successful for us,” says winemaker Damian Grindley. “It fits so well with alfresco summers in Paso Robles and so many Southern states, as well as the seafood culture of the [San Luis Obispo] Coast. It’s helped put both Brecon Estate and Central Coast Albariño on the map.” He continues, “Its fruit sourcing h