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

Final Hours to Enter the 2025 Competition! The Sunset International Wine Competition will take place June 10th - 12th, 2025. The final deadline for submission is Tonight, May 22nd at Midnight What Sets Us Apart Esteemed Judging Panel: The competition boasts a panel of highly respected judges, including Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, seasoned winemakers, and influential wine journalists. This ensures that each wine is evaluated with a high level of expertise and discernment. Comprehensive Promotion for Winners: Winning wines receive significant exposure through Sunset magazine's digital platforms, including a dedicated Wine Special digital edition, features on Sunset.com, and promotions across Sunset’s social media channels. This extensive coverage helps winners reach a broad audience of wine enthusiasts. Diverse Categories: The competition recognizes excellence across various categories, from traditional red and white wines to sparkling, rosé,

Early Bird Pricing Ends Thursday, May 8th! Entry Fee: $99 Early Bird Pricing until May 8 The Sunset International Wine Competition will take place June 10 - 12, 2025.  The final deadline for submission is May 22nd, 2025 What Sets Us Apart Esteemed Judging Panel: The competition boasts a panel of highly respected judges, including Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, seasoned winemakers, and influential wine journalists. This ensures that each wine is evaluated with a high level of expertise and discernment. Comprehensive Promotion for Winners: Winning wines receive significant exposure through Sunset magazine's digital platforms, including a dedicated Wine Special digital edition, features on Sunset.com, and promotions across Sunset’s social media channels. This extensive coverage helps winners reach a broad audience of wine enthusiasts. Diverse Categories: The competition recognizes excellence across various categories, from traditional red and white wine

The Sunset International Wine Competition, established in 2012, has rapidly become one of the most esteemed wine competitions, attracting a diverse array of entries from both domestic and international wineries. What Sets Us Apart Esteemed Judging Panel: The competition boasts a panel of highly respected judges, including Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, seasoned winemakers, and influential wine journalists. This ensures that each wine is evaluated with a high level of expertise and discernment. Comprehensive Promotion for Winners: Winning wines receive significant exposure through Sunset magazine's digital platforms, including a dedicated Wine Special digital edition, features on Sunset.com, and promotions across Sunset’s social media channels. This extensive coverage helps winners reach a broad audience of wine enthusiasts. Diverse Categories: The competition recognizes excellence across various categories, from traditional red and white wines to sparkling, ro

Wine in the West Learn more about the Sunset Reader The West is the top region for wine and Sunset is the dominant media brand of Western lifestyle. Westerners drink over 60 million glasses of wine each week and are 35% more likely to spend $3,000+ on wine in the past year than the average affluent adult. WINE & THE SUNSET AUDIENCE 900,000 monthly online visitors 1 million social followers Over 500,000 newsletter subscribers. 96% of Sunset readers drink wine and more than 3 out of 4 subscribers drink wine every week. Sunset readers are 106% more likely to be enthusiastic consumers of wine. Sunset readers are 54% more likely to try new and different wines 96% say they enjoy exploring new wines. The Sunset Magazine International Wine Competition will take place June 10th - 12th, 2025. The final deadline for submission is May 22nd, 2025. Enter the Competition

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

International Pinot Noir Celebration Joins Forces with Decanter Magazine 

This collaboration brings together two powerhouses in the wine world, offering a truly extraordinary experience for wine lovers around the globe  McMinnville, Oregon – May 8, 2024 – In an […]