By Laura Ness
After a brief hiatus, the Sunset International Wine Competition—the one competition that truly reflects the unique character of The West—is back, and in very capable hands.
Begun in 2012 to highlight wines that best fit the Western lifestyle, the highly regarded competition is now under the guidance of Wine Competitions Production & Management (WCP&M), owned and operated by Debra Del Fiorentino.
The 2019 Sunset International Wine Competition will take place in Sonoma County, California, beginning Monday, May 13, 2019. Registration is now open to all table, sparkling, fortified, fruit, and specialty wines produced in any wine producing region of the world that meet the applicable federal legal requirements for sale in the United States.
Entries will be accepted until May 10, 2019. Full entry rules and forms are available online – Submit Entries.
Sunset, the undisputed leading media brand of the Western ethos, has an extremely strong appeal to wine consumers: 96% of subscribers drink wine regularly and 92% agree that wine is one of the special pleasures in life. It is estimated that Sunset readers drink 60 million glasses of wine weekly! Make sure your wines are included in this unique competition.
Now in its seventh year, and with over 3,000 plus annual entries, the Sunset International Wine Competition ranks among the most distinguished world-renowned wine competitions. It is designed to attract all wineries interested in reaching the Western wine drinker, from backyard pools to wave-swept beaches to rushing mountain streams, and everything in between. Literally, wherever the West’s ever-active lifestyle takes them, Sunset readers, who spend an average of $3,000 or more on wine each year, want to know about the wines that will enhance their life experiences. Make sure your wines are among them.
A key component of this competition is its ability to include winning wines as part of the most influential wine program in the country. The magazine is committed to promoting its winners in ways that no other competition can. Winners of the 2019 competition will be prominently featured in the October edition of Sunset magazine.
The Sunset International Wine Competition is juried by a carefully curated set of judges who bring an understanding of the Western palate and lifestyle. Says Del Fiorentino, “We pride ourselves in hand-picking a seasoned panel of retailers, distributors, restaurateurs, winemakers and wine writers, who collectively represent a remarkable sphere of influence for winning wine brands. Judges are among the most experienced wine professionals, including Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine.”
WCM&P was recently voted by competing professionals as the best and most professional wine competition management company with top notch judges, backroom staff, and partners. With competitions including The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge, Harvest Challenge, East Meets West, International Women’s Wine Competition, Experience Rosé, and Craft Distillers Spirit Competition; the Sunset International Wine Competition is a natural addition to this robust portfolio.
To enter the Sunset International Wine Competition, go to Enofile.com. Entries must arrive by May 10, 2019, in order to be included. For further information, please contact debra@winecompetitions.com.
