Santa Rosa, Calif., June 21, 2018. Results are in for the 2018 International Women’s Wine Competition (IWWC), a contest judged solely by leading wine industry professional women. This year’s choice for top honors was given to the 2013 Blagden Pinot Noir, Sangiacomo Roberts Road Vineyard, California, Sonoma Coast.
Owned and operated by Wine Competitions Management & Productions, the judging took place June 19-20, 2018 in Sonoma County, California. More than 1,190 wines were entered in the competition. Judges awarded a total of 9 Best of Show awards, 56 Best of Class designations, and 171 gold medals.
Why produce a women’s wine competition? Event founder and president, Debra Del Fiorentino says, “This competition’s niche appeal certainly gives women their own ‘voice’, when selecting a wine. The judges recognize not only the best wines submitted, but also the wines they feel would appeal most to women wine buyers and consumers.”
Accolades for the title of Woman Winemaker of the Year went overwhelmingly to Diane Wilson of Wilson Artisan Wineries. “Diane has repeatedly proven herself as one of the best female winemakers out there. But even though a special nod goes to the best woman winemaker, it’s important to know that this competition is open to all winemakers, male and female alike.”
Best of Show winners are listed as follows:
- Red Wine: 2013 Blagden Pinot Noir, Sangiacomo Roberts Road Vineyard, California, Sonoma Coast
- White Wine: 2017 Viognier, Maggie Malick Wine Caves, Estate Grown (produced/bottled), Virginia; Loudoun County
- Rosé Wine: 2017 Michelle’s Rosé, Trattore Farms, Sonoma County
- Sparkling Wine: 2013 Estate Brut, Domaine Carneros by Taittinger, Estate Grown, Carneros
- Cider: 2016 Gowan’s Gravenstein Heirloom Cider, Estate Grown (produced/bottled), Anderson Valley
- Fruit Wine: Forestedge Winery, Black Currant, Minnesota, NV
- Fortified Wine: San Sebastian Winery, Cream Sherry, American, NV
All medal winners will be posted at winecompetitions.com and EnofileOnline.com.
About Wine Competitions Management & Production (WCMP)
This organization owns and operates nine different competitions including West Coast Wine Competition, International Eastern Wine Competition, East Meets West, International Women’s Wine Competition, Harvest Challenge, Experience Rosé and the Craft Distillers Spirits Competition. It also manages, The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge, and Dan Berger’s International Wine Competition and a cider competition.
