March 2026 (Paso Robles, CA) — In a competition dominated by large-scale producers and nationally recognized brands, Pianetta, a small, family-owned winery has emerged at the very top.
Pianetta Winery’s 2022 Syrah from the El Pomar District of Paso Robles was awarded the Red Wine Sweepstakes at the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, earning the distinction of highest-scoring red wine in the entire competition.
The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition is the largest wine competition in North America. In 2026, more than 925 wineries submitted over 5,500 wines for evaluation. The Red Wine Sweepstakes is awarded to the single top red wine across all red wine categories. All entries are evaluated through a professional blind tasting process, meaning wines are judged solely on quality — without influence from brand name or reputation.
Sweepstakes awards at competitions of this scale are often dominated by large, widely distributed brands, making the recognition especially notable for a small, family-owned producer.
“As a small, family-owned winery, we focus on traditional, flavor-driven winemaking and sourcing from vineyards that truly express their specific site.” said Caitlin Pianetta, winemaker at Pianetta. “We don’t chase trends or scale for volume. Every vineyard lot is handled intentionally, with balance and character in mind. To have our 2022 Syrah recognized at this level — in a blind tasting against thousands of wines — is incredibly meaningful for our family winery.”
In his roundup of the competition’s top wines, longtime San Francisco Chronicle wine writer and wine critic Mike Dunne described the 2022 Syrah:
“As popular as Syrah is, few come as close to nailing it definitively. The Pianetta does it on the authority of its blueberry fruit, strips of bacon, seam of minerality, and crunch of walnuts. It is a big boy … so pair with a succulent rib-eye. Char will not intimidate this wine. Elected the sweepstakes red wine at this year’s San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.”
The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition is widely considered the largest competition of American wines, judged annually by leading winemakers, sommeliers, and wine journalists.
While the competition included wineries of every size from across the country, Pianetta’s Sweepstakes win underscores the strength of small, dedicated producers — and the continued excellence of wines coming from Paso Robles.
The award-winning 2022 Syrah is available in limited quantities through the winery.
For more information, visit www.pianettawinery.com or contact info@pianettawinery.com
About Pianetta Winery
Pianetta Winery is a 2nd generation family-owned winery on the Central Coast of California. Since its inaugural release in 2004, the winery has focused on producing high-caliber, small-lot wines that emphasize vineyard expression, balance, and thoughtful winemaking. After nearly 20 years in their downtown tasting room in Paso Robles, CA, Pianetta now is operating from their original estate vineyard and production facility in San Miguel, just north of Paso Robles. The Pianetta family remains committed to crafting wines that reflect both the individuality of their vineyard sites and a longstanding dedication to exceptional value.
