June 9, 2026 (Orange County, CA) — Orange County Wine Society (OCWS), in partnership with the OC Fair, is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition. The 50th annual competition received 2,548 entries from hundreds of wineries this year. Wines were divided into 137 varietal categories and then judged by price range and sugar level. Wines were judged by 87 professional winemakers and winery owners. In addition to the 20 Best of Class medals (listed below), the competition also awarded 143 Double Gold medals and 560 Gold medals in addition to silver and bronze medals. This year’s top varietals were Cabernet Sauvignon (289), Chardonnay (163), and Zinfandel (162). Entries included some unique varietals such as Alvarelhao, Arneis, Dobricic, Falanghina, Greco, Kerner, Malvasia Nera, Marquette, Mencia, Negroamaro, Palomino Fino, Paseante Noir, Pinotage Bianco, Sylvaner, and Trincadeira. Returning this year were entries in the no-alcohol wine category, including Malbec, Rosé, and Moscato. New for 2026, the competition also received low-alcohol wine entries, including Muscat and Rosé.
BEST OF CLASS WINNERS
Best of Class – Red Varietals
Premium Price Level
- Riboli Family Wine Estates, 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley AVA) 97 Points $99.99
High Price Level
- Trentadue, 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley AVA) 97 Points $55
Medium Price Level
- Ursa Vineyards, 2023 Barbera (Sierra Foothills AVA) 96 Points $27
Low Price Level
- 1924 – Delicato Family Wines, 2024 Cabernet Sauvignon, Bourbon Barrel Aged (Lodi AVA) 94 Points $15
Best of Class – White Varietals
Premium Price Level
- Docmanov Vineyards & Winery, 2024 Chardonnay (Petaluma Gap AVA)97 Points $50
High Price Level
- Cellar 13 Winery, 2025 Albariño (Livermore Valley AVA) 98 Points $31
Medium Price Level
- Angels & Cowboys – Share a Splash Wine Co, 2025 Sauvignon Blanc (Sonoma County AVA) 96 Points $19.99
Low Price Level
- Peirano Estate Vineyards, 2023 Chardonnay (Lodi AVA) 94 Points $14.99
Best of Class – Rosé Wines
Premium Price Level
- Wine Guy & Wine Gal Family Wines from Sonoma, 2025 “Judith Ann Rosé” (Rosé – Pinot Noir) (Russian River Valley AVA) 95 Points $40
High Price Level
- Eberle Winery, 2025 “Côtes-du-Rôbles Rosé” (Rosé – Rhone Varietals) (Paso Robles AVA) 94 Points $32
Medium Price Level
- Trentadue Winery, 2025 “Rosato di Sangiovese” (Rosé – Italian Varietals) (Alexander Valley AVA)97 Points $24
Low Price Level
- Maddalena, 2025 Reserve Rosé (Rosé – Other Varietals) (Paso Robles AVA)94 Points $15
Best of Class – Dessert Wines
Premium Price Level
- Truffle Pig Winery, NV Tawny Port (Cucamonga Valley AVA) 96 Points $70
High Price Level
- Quady Winery, 2018 “Starboard Vintage” Tawny Port (California) 92 Points $39.99
Medium Price Level
- Trentadue Winery, NV “Chocolate Amore” Infused Red Wine (Alexander Valley AVA)95 Points $20
Low Price Level
- Gibson Wine Company, NV Cream Sherry (Fresno County)91 Points $12
Best of Class – Sparkling Wines
Premium Price Level
- Steinbeck Vineyards & Winery, 2022 Blanc de Blancs (Paso Robles Estrella District AVA) 95 Points $65
High Price Level
- Brooklyn West Winery, 2022 “Brooklyn Blushing Bubbly” Sparkling Rosé (California) 94 Points $45
Medium Price Level
- The Grown Company, 2025 “Little Yellow House” Sparkling Rosé (Dry Creek Valley AVA) 91 Points $24
Low Price Level
- Korbel Champagne Cellars, NV Sparkling Brut Rosé (California)91 Points $14
In addition to judging wines, the competition also includes a wine label and bottle component. This year’s Best of Class winner for the Label Competition was Wiens Family Cellars – 2023 “Crowded” Red Wine label. Label winners can be viewed on the competition’s results page: WineCompetition.com.
OCWS (a 501(c)3 corporation) has been hosting the OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition for over four decades. OCWS boasts nearly 1,000 wine enthusiast members who volunteer their time to present the largest competition of California only wines in the world. In addition to running the OC Fair Commercial and Home Wine Competitions, OCWS has donated over $1,008,795 in scholarships to eight California institutions with wine-related educational programs. This wine competition is unique because of its double-blind judging by commercial winery owners and winemakers. The competition also has no entry fee, making it accessible to all California wineries, large and small.
Wine entries from the OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition can be enjoyed during the OC Fair at the Wine Courtyard, which is also hosted by the OCWS. This year’s OC Fair “Your Adventure Awaits” runs from July 17th through August 16th, Wednesday through Sunday. The Wine Courtyard features wine tasting, wine by the glass, wine seminars, and featured wineries.
Go to WineCompetition.com to view all the medal winners from the 2026 OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition (and previous years). This results website allows consumers to search for award-winning wines based on several search categories including varietals, award, price level, winery name, and more.
