September 21, 2023 — The 2023 International Eastern Wine Competition and West Coast Wine Competition match-up has announced Eberle Winery’s 2021 Cotes-du-Robles Rouge, a Rhone-style blend, as the Best of the Best…of the Best. A blend of 54% Grenache; 38% Mourvedre and 8% Syrah, Eberle’s red blend wowed judges, who described the wine as “Very well balanced,” “Black currant,” “Shows Grenache really nicely,” with a “really nice mouthfeel.” Located in California’s Paso Robles AVA, Eberle Winery (www.eberlewinery.com) was established in 1979 and now produces up to 15 wines annually. In addition to this year’s top winner, five other Eberle entries earned gold awards or better.
This two-pronged East vs. West contest first chooses winners in the separate International Eastern Wine Competition and West Coast Wine Competition (see parameters below), before the top wines from each are pitted against each other in an East Meets West Taste Off.
Founded in 1975, the International Eastern Wine Competition is the oldest competition still in existence. Eligible wines can come from Central and South America, Europe, Africa, Mexico (mainland), Canada (except British Columbia), and all U.S. states not listed below.
The West Coast Wine Competition was established in 1982 and is open to wines from Australia, China, India, Japan, Middle East, New Zealand, Pacific Rim nations, Russia, Tasmania, British Columbia (Canada), Baja Mexico, and the U.S. states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Each competition is judged independently by experts familiar with the styles and varieties specific to each geographic region. Nine years ago, the final judging round was added.
A third competitive element, focused specifically on Riesling wines, gives the competition even more layers of intrigue. This year, the Winery at Black Star Farms’
Arcturos 2022 Semi-Dry Riesling won this category, as well as Best Eastern White Wine and Best of the Best in the Eastern competition.
This year, two wines earned perfect 100-point scores in early-round judging. Tsillan Cellars’ Bellissima Rossa and Presque Isle Wine Cellars’ Film Noiret were both awarded the coveted Platinum Award.
Below is a list of Best of Show winners awarded at this year’s competition. Visit www.winecompetitions.com/east-meets-west-2023-results for more information
2023 International East Meets West Wine Competition Winners
West Coast Wine Competition Winners
Best of the Best
Best of the West Red Wine
Eberle Winery 2021 Cotes-du-Robles Rouge; Paso Robles, Calif. (BOC, GG, 97 pts.)
Best of the West White Wine
Las Positas Vineyards 2022 Estate Verdehlo; Livermore Valley, Calif. (BOC, GG, 98 pts.)
Best of the West Sparkling Wine
Barefoot Bubbly NV Brut Rosé; Sonoma County, Calif. (BOC, GG, 96 pts.)
Best of the West Rosé Wine
Rodney Strong Vineyards 2022 Sonoma Coast Rosé of Pinot Noir; Sonoma Coast, Calif. (BOC, GG, 97 pts.)
Best of the West Dessert/Late Harvest Wine
Navarro Vineyards 2022 Riesling Cluster Select Late Harvest; Anderson Valley, Calif. (BOC, GG, 97 pts.)
Best of the West Canned Wine
Mimosa Royale LLC Watermelon (G, 93 pts.)
Best of the West Boxed Wine
E&J Gallo Winery Black Box 2021 Merlot (G, 90 pts.)
Best of the West 100-Point Platinum Award
Tsillan Cellars 2021 Bellissima Rossa; Columbia Valley, Wash. (BOC, GG, 100 pts.)
International Eastern Wine Competition Winners
Best of the Best Eastern
Riesling Challenge Winner
Best of the East White Wine
Winery at Black Star Farms Arcturos 2022 Semi-Dry Riesling (BOC, GG, 96 pts.)
Best of the East Red Wine
Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery 2019 Grande Riserva (BOC, G, 94 pts.)
Best of the East Rosé
Presque Isle Wine Cellars NV Freeport Rosé (BOC, GG, 98 pts.)
Best of the East Sparkling
Tabor Hill Winery NV Brut Rosé (BOC, GG, 97 pts.)
Best of the East Dessert/Late Harvest
Holy-Field Vineyard & Winery NV Late Harvest Vignoles (BOC, GG, 96 pts.)
Best of the East Fortified Wine
San Sebastian Winery NV Cream Sherry (GG, 98 pts.)
Best of the East Native American Wine
Easley Winery NV Sweet Barrel Red (BOC, GG, 96 pts.)
Best of the East Cider
Apple Barn Cider House NV Bluebarb (BOC, GG, 97 pts.)
Best of the East Fruit Wine
Holy-Field Vineyard & Winery NV Yogi Berry Blackberry (BOC, GG, 97)
Best of the East Vermouth
Spoon River Junction NV Forgottonia White Vermouth (BOC, GG, 97 pts.)
Best of the East 100-Point Platinum Award
Presque Isle Wine Cellars NV Film Noiret (GG, 100 pts.)
A full list of Double Gold and Gold medals from both the International Eastern Wine Competition and the West Coast Wine Challenge can be found here.
