#PDNCWC
Save the Date
Saturday
June 15, 2024
Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
2. Only Gold Medals +
Are Published
This is a marketing advantage that other competitions don't offer. We promote ONLY the highest awarded-wines (golds and above), keeping your win exceptional and exclusive.
Achieving top honors carries high prestige and offers a valuable USP for increased retail sales. Golds are converted into a point score above 90 and all 90+ point wines will get a marketable positive comment from the judging panel. Small wineries can truly benefit from a gold medal in this contest.
1. Exclusivity
This is a regional competition that ONLY rates wines exclusively produced and bottled in Northern California's premier winegrowing region to determine which wines are considered the Best of the Best. Eligibility includes wines made in these California North Coast AVAs:
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Lake County
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Mendocino County
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Napa County
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Sonoma County
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Marin County
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Solano County
This includes any bottled wine labeled with these AVAs as their main source of grapes and whose winery is in California.
5 REASONS
that benefit you to enter
3. Judges with Influence
The best wines draw the best professional wine judges who annually vie for a coveted spot to judge here. Many are seasoned retailers, distributors, restaurateurs and wine writers with influence. They know how to promote the wines they enjoy and can help give your wine increased exposure.
4. Multi-Channel Promotion
Public announcement of awards is made in print by The Press Democrat, the North Bay Area's primary source for news and information. Additional on-going promotion is made in award-winning Spirited trade magazine and other print publications, online, by virtual newsletters and through social media outlets.
5. Public Tasting
Gold medal-winners are invited to pour and have their wines enjoyed at the North Coast Wine & Food Festival annually organized and hosted by The Press Democrat. This is a fun-filled day enjoyed by wine enthusiasts near and far who look forward to tasting the Best of the Best wines Northern California has to offer.
Bill Hayes
Please join us in dedicating this years North Coast Wine Challenge to Bill Hayes.
The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge along with its intimate team of judges are saddened by the recent loss of much-loved fellow judge Bill Hayes.
Bill was one of the core judges for the past 5 competitions and his expertise, knowledge, experience, and friendliness will be very much missed.
Says Daryl Groom Chief Judge “Bill was always top of my list to invite back every year. He had a great palate but more importantly he just got along with everyone. He is a judge you could put on any panel as he loved and appreciated all wines and simply got along with everyone. He was always happy and smiling and at the end of every competition made sure he came and thanked me for having him and how much he enjoyed himself. He was often the last one to leave, always being around and volunteering for any Gold Medal judge offs for Best of Class. He oozed passion, respect, and kindness."
The 2024 Competition will be dedicated to Bill. It’s us who thank him for being part of it and for enhancing our lives by who he was.
Alumni Judges
 Daryl Groom - Chief Wine Judge |  Debra DelFiorentino Competition Director |  Bill Hayes Wine Category Manager, BevMo! | US West Coast |  Alexandria Sarovich Executive Wine Director Little Saint Healdsburg |  Barry Herbst Wine Director, Bottle Barn Liquors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Christopher Sawyer Wine writer and "Sommelier to the Stars" |  Dan Berger Wine Journalist |  Heidi Barrett Winemaker, Barrett & Barrett Wines | Napa Valley, CA |  Debbie Zachereas Wine Expert, International Wine Judge |  Jennifer Kelly President, Sales and Marketing Luxury Wine Partners |
 Jesse Katz Winemaker, Aperture and Devil Vineyards |  Kerry Damskey Winemaker, Consultant, Owner- Ter-ior Artisan Wines |  Larry Van Aalst Radio Host of "The Sonoma Wine Report", Sommelier, Equus Restaurant |  Lee Morse Assistant Winemaker Flowers Winery |  Nick Goldschmidt Winemaker and Consultant, Goldschmidt Vineyards |
 Mick Schroeter Winemaking Director, Sonoma-Cutrer |  Dr. Elizabeth "Liz" Thach, MW, Professor of Wine, Professor of Management, Author, |  Elsie Wolfe Contributor, Connect The Dots Collective | Napa, CA |  Peg Melnik Wine Critic & Wine Blogger |  Wine & Spirits Broadcast Journalist, Educator, Consultant, Writer |
 Tim Bell Winemaker, Dry Creek Vineyard |  Elliot Herrod Maitre'D and sommelier at Troubadour’s prix fixe meal, Le Dîner. |  Traci Dutton Sommelier, Manager - Public Beverages/Wine Studies, CIA |  Miro Tcholakov Winemaker, proprietor, salesman, cellar rat - Miro Cellars & Trentadue Winery |  Amanda Johnson Food and Beverage Manager at the Fountaingrove Club |
 Laura Sanfilippo - Certified Sommelier, Wine Buyer and Owner of Lo & Behold Bar + Kitchen in Healdsburg, CA |  Michael Beaulac Director of Winemaking, , Foley Family Wines |  Paul Coker Director of Beverage Montage Resort Healdsburg. |  Wine Writer / Press Democrat |  Co-owner Palmerir | Napa, CA. / Wine Consultant |
 Harry Bryan General Manager at Valette restaurant | Healdsburg, CA |  Kris Ronald Anderson Wine Buyer Wilibees Wines & Spirits |  Chris Munsell Director of Winemaking, E. & J. Gallo Winery |  Erik Olsen Chief Winemaker, Constellation Wines |  Michael Jordan Director of Global Key Accounts at Jackson Family Wines |
 Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET President & Founder, Charles Communications Associates San Francisco |  Scot Covington Winemaker, Trione Vineyards and Winery, Geyserville, CA |  Laura Ness Food and Wine Writer |  Corey Beck Director of Winemaking, Francis Ford Coppola Winery |  Spreti Valente Certified Sommelier - Wine Buyer - Professional Wine Judge, Consultant & Educator |
 Ellen Landis CS, CSW |  Linda Murphy Contributing Writer, Sonoma Magazine |  Hady Kahale Head of Wine Buying, Naked Wines US – Wine consultant and winemaker - Napa, CA |  Philip Levesque Wine Consultant Oakville Grocery, Healdsburg |  Bob Foster - Assistant Editor of the California Grapevine wine newsletter |
 Ross Reedy Winemaker, Truett Hurst & VML Winery | Sonoma County, CA |  Chelsea Barrett Winemaker | Calistoga, CA |  Leslie Sbrocco Author, TV Host, Consultant, Wine Lover |  Erin Miller Wine Director - Dry Creek Kitchen - Head of Best of Award of Excellence Wine List - Wine Spectator - |  Randy Ullom Winemaster, Kendall Jackson |
 Wilfred Wong, Chief Storyteller, Wine.com |  Greg Urmini |  Jon McCarthy WINE + BEVERAGE DIRECTOR |  Jasper Russo Director of Wine Education, Sales & Marketing, Sigel's Fine Wines and Great Spirits |  Bekah Schloss Wine Wall Supervisor, The Matheson |
 Pedra Polakovicova Beverage Manager-Sommelier - Montage Healdsburg |  Fred Dame Master Sommelier & VP of Prestige Accounts, American Wine & Spirits |
ALUMNI ASSOCIATE JUDGES
The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge strives to be an educational platform for young wine industry professionals growing in their careers. Associate Judges are nominated by their peers and attend the judging process,
each assigned a panel with our highly experienced wine judges. They get to learn and network with winemakers,
sommeliers, media people and other seasoned wine industry professionals.
Winemaker
Student, UC Davis | Winemaking Certificate Program
Tasting Room Manager - LIOCO
Lead Cellarman - Trione Vineyards & Winery
Tasting Room Manager Williamson Wines - Healdsburg, California
Wine Consultant, TV & Radio Personality | Sonoma County, CA
Student, Cal Poly | San Luis Obispo, CA
Winemaker, Electric Sky Wine
WINEMAKER, Fearless Wines
Assistant Winemaker, Clos du Bois | Geyserville, CA
Student of Enology, Fresno State University | Fresno CA
Brewer and Enology Student | Seattle, WA
Wine Ambassador | MacRostie Winery, Healdsburg, CA
GET IN TOUCH
For any general inquiries, please fill in the following contact form:
