September 15, 2025 — The 2025 International Eastern Wine Competition and West Coast Wine Competition match-up has announced a 2024 Albariño from Potomac Point Winery in Stafford, Virginia, as the Best of the Best…of the Best.
Scoring an impressive 98 points, the wine wowed judges, who noted its “Tropical lime”; “orange with good minerality”; “and light “salinity.” In short, one described, it “exhibits stylish pizzaz.”
“This is now our third harvest of Albariño, and I look at it as a refreshing bridge between a traditional Spanish varietal and its Virginia family,” says Jordan Cleary, assistant winemaker and vineyard manager. “The fruit maintains bright natural acidity while hanging long enough to give expressive character and a hint of salinity. Our 2024 fruit was picked earlier based on pH, but for Albariño, starting on the greener side of things reveals even more character as the acidity softens with age.” Founded in 2007 by Skip and Cindi Causey, Potomac Point Winery features Mediterranean and Italian influences in both its architecture and its wines.
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. Eleven 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, Navarro Vineyards’ 2024 Anderson Valley Riesling won this category, as well as a Best of Class Award in the West Coast Wine Competition. Judges called it “rich, bright” and “beautiful, classic, balanced.”
Below is a list of Best of Show winners awarded at this year’s competition.
Visit www.winecompetitions.com/east-meets-west-2025-results for more information.
