The California State Fair is looking for the best California wine! They are accepting entries for the annual Commercial Wine Competition beginning April 16.
First held in 1855, the State Fair’s wine competition, limited to California wines, is the oldest and most prestigiously judged wine event in North America. The 2011 competition had over 600 wineries participating in the judging of 2,646 entries.
In 2011, the Golden State Winery of the Year Award was presented to Jeff Renquist Wines; Best of Show Red Award went to Windwalker Vineyard and Best of Show White Award to Greenwood Ridge Vineyards. Navarro Vineyards received the Best of Show Dessert Award and Best Wine Value Award went to Glen Ellen Winery. A complete list of the 2011 winners and other wine information can be found at www.bigfun.org.
Entry forms, fees, wine labels and the wine itself must be submitted by May 4 to Expo Center, Building 6, located on the grounds of Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Boulevard in Sacramento. Commercial wineries can access the competition handbook and entry form online at www.bigfun.org. Interested parties may obtain additional competition information by calling the California State Fair Wine Department at (916) 263-3159.
The 2012 judging will take place on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, June 6, 7 and 8 at Cal Expo.
The California State Fair will run July 12-29, 2012. For more information visit the State Fair website at www.bigfun.org.
