June 9th – (SACRAMENTO, CA) – The California State Fair is pleased to announce the winners of the 2022 California Commercial Wine Competition. The highly anticipated event returned last week for three days at Cal Expo.
This year, a panel of 44 official judges led by Chief Judge Mark Chandler tasted and evaluated 1,953 California wines from 443 California wineries. The competition, which had been on a 2 year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, celebrates the wine growing and wine producing industry in California. It is open only to wines made with fruit grown and produced in the eleven growing regions across the State of California. Wines are evaluated by class, varietal, style, and region based upon the source of the grapes.
A 2019 Sangiovese from Las Positas Vineyards in Livermore Valley collected Best of Show Red honors. The Best of Show White title was given to Ogilvie Merwin Ventures’ Fellow’s Brand 2021 Chenin Blanc from Clarksburg.
Top wines, including the Best of Region and Best of California winners, will be featured at the California State Fair in the Save Mart Wine Garden for visitors to enjoy July 15 through July 31, 2022.
There were a total of 21 Best of Regions Awards, 18 Best of California Awards, the Best Value Award, 3 Best of Micro Winery Awards, and the coveted Golden State Winery of the Year Award. A huge congratulations to South Coast Winery to winning the Golden State Winery of the Year Award! South Coast has won the Golden State Winery of the Year Award in 2008, 2009, 2013, and 2016, making 2022 their fifth win. Total medals awarded were 99 Double Gold, 257 Gold, 878 Silver, and 583 Bronze.
Dating back to 1854, the California State Fair Wine Competition is America’s oldest and most prestigious wine event. For more than 160 years, the California State Fair has showcased the Best of the Golden State.
The 2022 Top California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition winners are:
Best of Show Red:
- Las Positas Vineyards
- 2019 Sangiovese
- Livermore Valley
Best of Show White:
- Fellow
- 2021 Chenin Blanc
- Clarksburg
Best of Show Sparkling:
- Korbel Champagne Cellars
- 2017 Blanc de Noirs, Masters Reserve
- Sonoma County
Best of Show Pink:
- Alexander Valley Vineyards
- 2021 dry Rose of Sangiovese
- Sonoma County
Best of Show Dessert:
- Navarro Vineyards
- 2019 Late Harvest Riesling Cluster Select
- Anderson Valley
Best Value:
- Dark Horse
- 2020 Sauvignon Blanc
- California
Golden State Winery of the Year:
- South Coast Winery
Best Micro Winery Red:
- Steiner Family Vineyards
- 2020 Barbera No. 19
- Cooper Ranch
- Amador County
Best Micro Winery White:
- Rodrigue Molyneaux Estate Winery and Vineyard
- 2021 Pinot Grigio
- Livermore Valley
Best Micro Winery Other:
- Rancho de Philo Winery
- NV Triple Cream Sherry
- Mission Grape
- Cucamonga Valley
Complete results and competition information can be found on the California State Fair website at CalExpoStateFair.com/
About the California State Fair
The California State Fair is an international award-winning fair, receiving top honors at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions out of more than 1,100 fairs world-wide. The California State Fair is dedicated as a place to celebrate the best the state has to offer in agriculture, technology, and the diversity of its people, traditions, and trends that shape the Golden State’s future. The 2022 State Fair will include a comprehensive list of competitions, including California’s best commercial wines, cheeses, craft beers, cannabis, olive oils, and fine arts, among others.
