North Coast Wine Challenge

Attention: for quick response to your questions.
The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge Team

contact@pdncwc.com

North Coast AVAs including Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, and parts of Marin and Solano County.

2026 Entries Open!

Judging
April 7th - 8th, 2026
Early Entry Discount through March 16th.
Last date to enter
March 26th, 2026

All Gold Medal Plus winners will be invited to pour at the public
North Coast Wine & Food Festival
June 13th, 2026

Honoring the Legacy of
Our Friend and Fellow Judge
The 2026 North Coast Press Democrat Wine Challenge is dedicated - Bob Foster

Robert "Big Bob" Foster
Angels Wings
July 2025

Bob was an integral part of the competition right from the very first year. His presence was a key contributor to making this wine judging the success that it is.

Bob was the perfect judge.

Knowledgeable, respectful to his peers and kind to the wines and the winemakers who entered. Always seeing the positives and why wines should get Gold rather than Silver or Bronze.
He oozed passion and love for judging and everyone was a friend.

At this judging he will be remembered with a smile and a laugh for his classic and estatic comment he wrote for the Sweepstakes winning wine in the very first year of Press Democrat North Coast Wine Competition.

“Pour this over my Naked Body”

Bob we love you and you will be sadly missed.

In honor of Bob Foster

5 REASONS TO ENTER

5 REASONS
that benefit you to enter

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:

Lake County
Mendocino County
Napa County
Sonoma County
Marin County
Solano County

This includes any bottled wine labeled with these AVAs as their main source of grapes and whose winery is in California.

2. Prestigious Recognition Only Gold Medals + Are Published

Unlike other competitions, we spotlight only the top-tier wines—those earning gold medals and higher—keeping your achievement exclusive and highly marketable. Gold-winning wines are converted into 90+ point scores and receive valuable, promotional comments from expert judges. This unique distinction can significantly boost retail sales, making it especially beneficial for small wineries looking to stand out.

3. Respected Judges with Influence

The competition attracts top-tier wine professionals—retailers, distributors, restaurateurs, and wine writers—who have a keen eye for excellence. Their endorsement of winning wines can open doors to greater exposure and market opportunities.

4. Multi-Channel Promotion and Media Coverage

Winning wines are publicly announced through The Press Democrat, the North Bay Area’s leading news source. Additionally, a professionally produced winners' video featuring Chief Judge Daryl Groom and other experts is shared across social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube). Further promotional exposure comes through Wine Industry Advisors, North Bay Business Journal and other publications, virtual newsletters, and online media channels, ensuring widespread recognition.

Subscribe to our channel: https://pdne.ws/youtube

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.

2025
Best of the Best

2025 Best of Class and above

2024 Best of Class and above

2023 Best of Class and above

2022 Best of Class and above

2021 Best of Class and above

Fortunati Vineyards
Signature Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
2021

BEST OF THE BEST
Best of Show Red
Best of Napa County
99 Points

Alumni Judges

Bob

Foster

esteemed wine judge for more than 30 years, Bob lent his expertise to competitions across the country. As Director of the Mid-American Wine Competition. a retired prosecutor with the California Attorney General’s Office, he brought integrity, discernment, and dedication to every role he served. His legacy of excellence will long endure within our industry and our community.

We honor the judges whose knowledge, integrity, and generosity of spirit helped shape our competitions. Their influence remains woven into our standards, our community, and every award bestowed.

With Deep Respect and Gratitude

We raise our glass to you!

Guides, Mentors, Friends — Forever Remembered

Bill

Hayes

A respected wine industry leader and longtime Wine Category Manager for BevMo!, Bill devoted more than three decades to shaping wine retail and fostering relationships throughout the global wine community. Bill’s passion and dedication shaped generations of wine lovers. His spirit endures in every glass raised in celebration.

Daryl Groom - Chief Wine Judge	Debra Del Fiorentino Competition Director	Alexandria Sarovich Executive Wine Director Little Saint Healdsburg	Amanda Johnson Food and Beverage Manager at the Fountaingrove Club	Anthony Viloria Hospitality & Beverage Director Stark Reality Restaurants
Barry Herbst Wine Director, Bottle Barn Liquors	Bekah Schloss Wine Wall Supervisor, The Matheson	In Honor of Bill Hayes Wine Category Manager, BevMo! \| US West Coast	In Honor of Bob Foster - Assistant Editor of the California Grapevine Wine Newsletter	Christopher Sawyer Wine writer and "Sommelier to the Stars"
Chris Munsell Director of Winemaking, E. & J. Gallo Winery	Chelsea Barrett Winemaker \| Calistoga, CA	Corey Beck Director of Winemaking, Francis Ford Coppola Winery	Dan Berger Wine Journalist	Debbie Zachereas Wine Expert, International Wine Judge
Co-owner Palmerir \| Napa, CA. / Wine Consultant	Ellen Landis CS, CSW	Elliot Herrod Maitre'D and sommelier at Troubadour’s prix fixe meal, Le Dîner.	Elsie Wolfe Contributor, Connect The Dots Collective \| Napa, CA	Eric Fox Director of Food and Beverage, Appellation Healdsburg
Erik Olsen Chief Winemaker, Constellation Wines	Erin Miller Wine Director - Dry Creek Kitchen - Head of Best of Award of Excellence Wine List - Wine Spectator -	Frank Dusak Director of Winemaking Naked Wines	Fred Dame Master Sommelier & VP of Prestige Accounts, American Wine & Spirits	Greg Urmini
Hady Kahale Head of Wine Buying, Naked Wines US – Wine Consultant and Winemaker - Napa, CA	Harry Bryan General Manager at Valette Restaurant \| Healdsburg, CA	Heidi Barrett Winemaker, Barrett & Barrett Wines \| Napa Valley, CA	Jennifer Kelly President, Sales and Marketing Luxury Wine Partners	Jasper Russo Director of Wine Education, Sales & Marketing, Sigel's Fine Wines and Great Spirits
Jesse Katz Winemaker, Aperture and Devil Vineyards	Jon McCarthy WINE + BEVERAGE DIRECTOR	Josh Kirchhoff Wine & Spirits Coordinator Oliver's Market	Kerry Damskey Winemaker, Consultant, Owner- Ter-ior Artisan Wines	Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET President & Founder, Charles Communications Associates San Francisco
Kris Ronald Anderson Wine Buyer Wilibees Wines & Spirits	Larry Van Aalst Radio Host of "The Sonoma Wine Report", Sommelier, Equus Restaurant	Laura Sanfilippo - Certified Sommelier, Wine Buyer and Owner of Lo & Behold Bar + Kitchen in Healdsburg, CA	Laura Ness Food and Wine Writer	Lee Morse Assistant Winemaker Flowers Winery
Leslie Sbrocco Author, TV Host, Consultant, Wine Lover	Linda Murphy Contributing Writer, Sonoma Magazine	Lindsey Rich - Winemaker L. Rich Wines & Naked Wines	Dr. Elizabeth "Liz" Thach, MW, Professor of Wine, Professor of Management, Author,	Matt Duffy Owner / Winemaker of Vaughn Duffy Wines and Consulting Winemaker –
Mick Schroeter Schroeter - Naked Wines \| Geyserville, CA	Michael Beaulac Director of Winemaking, , Foley Family Wines	Michael Jordan Director of Global Key Accounts at Jackson Family Wines	Miro Tcholakov Winemaker, proprietor, salesman, cellar rat - Miro Cellars & Trentadue Winery	Neil Mechanic Sommeier Purchasing & Logistics Manager SommSelect, Napa
Nick Goldschmidt Winemaker and Consultant, Goldschmidt Vineyards	Nicola Pellacani Assistant Winemaker Saintsbury Winery	Paul Coker Director of Beverage Montage Resort Healdsburg.	Pedra Polakovicova Beverage Manager-Sommelier - Montage Healdsburg	Peg Melnik Wine Critic & Wine Writer & Wine Educator
Philip Levesque Wine Consultant Oakville Grocery, Healdsburg	Randy Ullom Winemaster, Kendall Jackson	Richard Hummell Director of Food & Beverage Montage Healdsburg	Ross Reedy Winemaker, Truett Hurst & VML Winery \| Sonoma County, CA	Sarah Doyle Wine Writer / Press Democrat
Scot Covington Winemaker, Trione Vineyards and Winery, Geyserville, CA	Spreti Valente Certified Sommelier - Wine Buyer - Professional Wine Judge, Consultant & Educator	Tim Bell Director of Winemaking, Dry Creek Vineyard	Tina Caputo Multimedia Journalist and Editor	Tony Lombardi Lombardi Wines/Lombardi Marketing Founder/Proprietor
Traci Dutton Sommelier, Manager - Public Beverages/Wine Studies, CIA	Tom Capo Wine Writer	Wilfred Wong, Chief Storyteller, Wine.com	William Guadagni Winemaker - Orsi Family Vineyards	Wine & Spirits Broadcast Journalist, Educator, Consultant, Writer

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.