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

contact@pdncwc.com

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

 



Judging
 
April 1st & 2nd

2025

Entry Deadline
March 21st

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North Coast Wine & Food Festival 
June 14th, 2025 
BUY TICKETS HERE

NEW IN 2025!

New in 2025

01.

New Categories: In keeping up with industry and consumer trends we have added three new classes. They include No Alcohol, Orange, and Nouveau Style Red Wines.  Judges for these categories were specifically selected for their passion and familiarity for these wine types and production styles.

02.

Additional Promotional Opportunities: Winemakers whose wines are selected for Best of Show Red, White, Rose, Sparkling and Dessert/Late Harvest awards will be featured on a special webinar series hosted by The Press Democrat leading up to the annual North Coast Food & Wine Festival.

03.

New Award: Winemaker of the Year!: The winemaker with the highest percentage of gold medals across categories will be in the running for "Winemaker of the Year" and featured in the Harvest edition of Sonoma Magazine. (To be eligible for consideration a wine maker must enter a minimum of three wines.)

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

 â€‹

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

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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.

Alumni Judges

DARYL GROOM

Daryl Groom - Chief Wine Judge

DEBRA DEL FIORENTINO

Debra DelFiorentino Competition Director

Bill Hayes

In Honor of ill Hayes Wine Category Manager, BevMo! | US West Coast

Alexandria Sarovich 2023

Alexandria Sarovich Executive Wine Director Little Saint Healdsburg

BARRY HERBST

Barry Herbst Wine Director, Bottle Barn Liquors

CHRISTOPHER SAWYER

Christopher Sawyer Wine writer and "Sommelier to the Stars"

Berger-Dan-Vineyard

Dan Berger Wine Journalist

Heidi Barrett

Heidi Barrett Winemaker, Barrett & Barrett Wines | Napa Valley, CA

Debbie Zachereas

Debbie Zachereas Wine Expert, International Wine Judge

Jennifer Kelly

Jennifer Kelly President, Sales and Marketing Luxury Wine Partners

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Jesse Katz Winemaker, Aperture and Devil Vineyards

Kerry Damskey

Kerry Damskey Winemaker, Consultant, Owner- Ter-ior Artisan Wines

LARRY VAN AALST

Larry Van Aalst Radio Host of "The Sonoma Wine Report", Sommelier, Equus Restaurant

Lee Morse

Lee Morse Assistant Winemaker Flowers Winery

NICK GOLDSCHMIDT

Nick Goldschmidt Winemaker and Consultant, Goldschmidt Vineyards

MICK SCHROETER

Mick Schroeter Winemaking Director, Sonoma-Cutrer

DR. LIZ THATCH

Dr. Elizabeth "Liz" Thach, MW, Professor of Wine,  Professor of Management, Author,

Elsie Wolfe

Elsie Wolfe Contributor, Connect The Dots Collective | Napa, CA

PegMelnikSM 2025

Peg Melnik Wine Critic & Wine Writer & Wine Educator

Ziggy photo 3.2024

Wine & Spirits Broadcast Journalist, Educator, Consultant, Writer

Tim Bell

Tim Bell Director of Winemaking, Dry Creek Vineyard

Traci Dutton

Traci Dutton Sommelier, Manager - Public Beverages/Wine Studies, CIA

Amanda Johnson

Amanda Johnson Food and Beverage Manager at the Fountaingrove Club

Laura Sanfilippo

Laura Sanfilippo - Certified Sommelier, Wine Buyer and Owner of Lo & Behold Bar + Kitchen in Healdsburg, CA

Michael Beaulac

Michael Beaulac Director of Winemaking, , Foley Family Wines

Kris Anderson

Kris Ronald Anderson Wine Buyer Wilibees Wines & Spirits

Sarah Doyle

Sarah Doyle Wine Writer / Press Democrat

Ellen Landis

Ellen Landis CS, CSW

CHRIS MUNSELL

Chris Munsell Director of Winemaking, E. & J. Gallo Winery

Anthony Viloria photo 2025_edited_edited

Anthony Viloria Hospitality & Beverage Director Stark Reality Restaurants

William Guadagni

William Guadagni Winemaker - Orsi Family Vineyards

Bob Foster

Bob Foster - Assistant Editor of the California Grapevine Wine Newsletter

Josh-Kirchhoff phote 2025_edited

Josh Kirchhoff Wine & Spirits Coordinator Oliver's Market

Franc Dusak

Frank Dusak Director of Winemaking Naked Wines

Richard Hummell

Richard Hummell Director of Food & Beverage Montage Healdsburg

Tom Capo

Tom Capo Wine Writer

Tina Caputo

Tina Caputo Multimedia Journalist and Editor

Matt Duffy

Matt Duffy Owner / Winemaker of Vaughn Duffy Wines and Consulting Winemaker –

Miro Tcholakov

Miro Tcholakov Winemaker, proprietor, salesman, cellar rat -  Miro Cellars & Trentadue Winery

Paul Coker

Paul Coker Director of Beverage Montage Resort Healdsburg.

Drew Damskey 2024

Co-owner Palmerir | Napa, CA. / Wine Consultant

Elliot Herrod

Elliot Herrod Maitre'D and sommelier at Troubadour’s prix fixe meal, Le Dîner.

Harry Byran

Harry Bryan General Manager at Valette restaurant | Healdsburg, CA

ERIK OLSEN

Erik Olsen Chief Winemaker, Constellation Wines

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan Director of Global Key Accounts at Jackson Family Wines

Kimberly Charles

Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET President & Founder, Charles Communications Associates San Francisco

Scot Covington

Scot Covington Winemaker, Trione Vineyards and Winery, Geyserville, CA

Laura Ness

Laura Ness Food and Wine Writer

COREY BECK

Corey Beck Director of Winemaking, Francis Ford Coppola Winery

SPRETI VALENTE

Spreti Valente Certified Sommelier - Wine Buyer - Professional Wine Judge, Consultant & Educator

LINDA MURPHY

Linda Murphy Contributing Writer, Sonoma Magazine

Hady Kahale

Hady Kahale Head of Wine Buying, Naked Wines US – Wine consultant and winemaker - Napa, CA

Philip Levesque

Philip Levesque Wine Consultant Oakville Grocery, Healdsburg

Ross Reedy

Ross Reedy Winemaker, Truett Hurst & VML Winery | Sonoma County, CA

Chelsea Barrett

Chelsea Barrett Winemaker | Calistoga, CA

LESLIE SBROCCO

Leslie Sbrocco Author, TV Host, Consultant, Wine Lover

Erin MIller

Erin Miller Wine Director - Dry Creek Kitchen - Head of Best of Award of Excellence Wine List - Wine Spectator  -

RANDY ULLOM

Randy Ullom Winemaster, Kendall Jackson

Wilfred Wong

Wilfred Wong, Chief Storyteller, Wine.com

Greg Urmini

Greg Urmini

Jon McCarthy

Jon McCarthy WINE + BEVERAGE DIRECTOR

Jasper Russo

Jasper Russo Director of Wine Education, Sales & Marketing, Sigel's Fine Wines and Great Spirits

Bekah Schloss

Bekah Schloss Wine Wall Supervisor, The Matheson

Pedra Polakovicova

Pedra Polakovicova Beverage Manager-Sommelier - Montage Healdsburg

FRED DAME

Fred Dame Master Sommelier & VP of Prestige Accounts, American Wine & Spirits

Tony Lombardi

Tony Lombardi Lombardi Wines/Lombardi Marketing Founder/Proprietor

  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.

JUDGES
GET IN TOUCH

Questions?

Email: debra@winecompetitions.com

​

For any general inquiries, please fill in the following contact form:

Thank you for contacting us. We will respond at our earliest convenience - generally within 1-2 business days.

CONTACT

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