June 30, 2026 — Earlier this month, the 2026 Sunset International Wine & Spirits Competition awarded Best White Wine and Best of the Best (Wine) to an Assyrtiko from New Clairveaux Vineyard, a community of Trappist-Cistercian monks in Vina, Calif. Judges called it “spiced” and “juicy,” raving about its “white pepper and fresh-cut lemongrass,” and calling out notes of “pineapple and candied ginger.”
“Assyrtiko is a truly special varietal with a remarkable history,” says winemaker Aimee Sunseri of the grape, which is native to the small Greek island of Santorini, Assyrtiko (pronounced ah-SEER-tee-koh). “It was recommended to us by Darrell Corti of Corti Brothers in Sacramento, Calif., a renowned wine retailer and respected authority on fine wines and gourmet foods. Darrell believed this famous Greek variety would thrive in Northern California’s climate, and he advocated for its release through the Foundation Plant Services program at UC Davis.
“The process began in 2007 and, in 2011, New Clairvaux became the first winery in the Americas to plant this high-acid white grape variety. The result is a vibrant and distinctive wine that showcases the unique character of the Assyrtiko grape while continuing a 900-year-old Cistercian tradition of cultivating exceptional grape varieties in new regions.”
Debra Del Fiorentino, founder and president of Wine Competitions Management & Productions, which owns the competition (Sunset is the naming sponsor), comments, “I love this win — and this wine — because it shows what the ‘new’ winemakers can do with ‘old’ varietals. [Aimee] is one hell of a winemaker!” continues Del Fiorentino. “Results like this are why competitions are so valuable.”
In the final sweepstakes round for Best Of Show, the New Clairveaux Assyrtiko marched to victory over the Best Red (Domaine Della 4 Amours Sonoma Coast Special Select Pinot Noir), Best Sparkling (Breathless Blanc De Noirs), Best Rosé (Quivira Vineyards Estate Rosé), Best Dessert (Navarro Vineyards Riesling, Cluster Select) and Best Port (Fortunati Vineyards Porto Fino Dessert Wine) contenders. See below for more details.
Meanwhile, in the Spirits Competition, this year’s winner is a stellar entry from Griffo Distillery in Sonoma County, Calif. The producer’s Scott Street Gin wowed judges with its “great botanicals and complete citrus — tangerine and sweet lemon notes.” They also called it “stylish, upper tier and nicely balanced.”
“Griffo Scott Street Gin is a fresh California take on a London Dry Gin,” says Head Distiller Dylan Carney. “It’s bright and citrusy, thanks to Sonoma Meyer lemons ‘locally foraged’ by friends and neighbors. Wild juniper is balanced out with organic botanicals and spices such as Cubeb pepper and grains of paradise. All using water from the Russian River Valley.”
Other medal winners included products from across the globe, including Australia, Belize and multiple U.S. states. “I continue to be impressed by the wide breadth of competitors, year after year,” says Debra Del Fiorentino, owner of Wine Competitions Management at Production, which oversees the Sunset International Spirits Competition. “As word gets out about this prestigious event, we have more interest from around the world. It’s a testament to the reputation Sunset has established as a style leader and lifestyle brand.”
Griffo CEO Will Maroun agrees: “We’ve always viewed Sunset Magazine as the quintessential capsule of the American West as a lifestyle, so as a brand that strives to reflect the beauty and bounty of California Wine Country in our spirits, we feel like we’re in kindred company.”
He continues, “Especially as a West Coast brand, this win is such a badge of honor, so we’ll be shouting from the rooftops — in the most tasteful way possible, of course.”
Revived in 2017 after a decade-long hiatus, the Sunset International Wine Competition is designed to attract all wineries interested in reaching the Western wine drinker and is juried by the best judges in the industry, who understand and appreciate the Western palate and lifestyle. The accompanying Sunset International Spirits Competition is open to commercial distillers of all sizes, with judging categories based on spirit type, production techniques and price points. Judges include winemakers, distillers, sommeliers, retail buyers, wine educators and journalists.
“Every year, the Sunset International Wine & Spirits Competition gives us a chance to celebrate the producers who are defining what we drink now — and what we’ll be excited to discover next,” says Hugh Garvey, editor-in-chief at Sunset. “This year’s top winners say a lot about where taste is heading: New Clairveaux Winery’s 2025 Assyrtiko speaks to the growing appetite for bright, distinctive white wines with real character, while Griffo Distillery’s Scott Street Gin shows the creativity and craftsmanship driving the best of American spirits.
“At a time when producers need support and visibility more than ever, Sunset is proud to champion the wineries, distilleries and makers who bring so much innovation, pleasure and sense-of-place to the table. We heartily congratulate this year’s winners.”
Winning producers will be featured in the October release of a Wine Special nonprint, digital edition with supporting microsite. Promotions for the Wine Award Special Issue will be placed in sunset.com, Sunset eNewsletters and Sunset social sites. The edition will be promoted and available for 12 months or until the 2026 Wine Competition Awards winners are announced.
To see all winners, visit sunsetcompetitions.com
About Sunset
Sunset shares the best of life in the West―from travel and food to home and garden―with an audience of more than 6 million. Sunset showcases the region’s unique lifestyle and noteworthy destinations, inspiring readers to achieve the dream of living in the West. Sunset.com is the West’s essential guide to all the best things about the region: easy outdoor living and gardening, unexpected day trips and destinations, fast and fresh foods, shockingly perfect wine pairings, and innovative home decorating and design. www.sunset.com
About Wine Competitions Management & Production (WCMP)
WCMP owns and operates a variety of competitions including Sunset International Wine Competition, West Coast Wine Competition, International Eastern Wine Competition, East Meets West, International Women’s Wine & Spirits Competition, Harvest Challenge, the Craft Distillers Spirits Competition, Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge, and Experience Rosé. www.winecompetitions.com
2026 Sunset International Wine Competition Sweepstakes Finalists
Best of the Best, Best White Wine
New Clairvaux Vineyard 2025 Assyrtiko (BOC, GG, 99 pts.)
Judges: Spiced, juicy; white pepper and fresh-cut lemongrass; pineapple and candied ginger
Best Red Wine
Domaine Della 2023 4 Amours Sonoma Coast Special Select Pinot Noir (BOC, GG, 95)
Judges: Black fruit and berries with orange zest; strong finish
Best Sparkling Wine
Breathless Wines Blanc de Noirs NV (BOC, GG, 97)
Judges: Fresh orange; floral with complex minerality
Best Rosé Wine
Quivira Vineyards 2025 Estate Rosé (BOC, GG, 96)
Judges: Watermelon; complex fruit and nice structure
Best Dessert Wine
Navarro Vineyards 2025 Cluster select Riesling (BOC, GG, 96)
Judges: Notes of honeysuckle and lychee; great mouthfeel; exceptionally well-made
Best Port
Fortunati Vineyards 2022 Porto Fino Dessert Wine (BOC, GG, 98)
Judges: Candied cherry and cocoa powder.
2026 Sunset International Spirits Competition Best of Class Awards
Best of the Best, Best Gin
Griffo Distillery Scott Street Gin (BOC, GG, 97 pts.)
Judges: Great botanicals and complete citrus — tangerine and sweet lemon notes; stylish, upper tier and nicely balanced
Best Vodka
Griffo Distillery Vodka (BOC, G, 94)
Judges: Elegant and balanced; smooth, rich mouthfeel; floral
Best Tequila
Pantalones Organic Tequila Reposado (BOC, GG, 98)
Judges: Delicious crème brûlée; chocolate mouthfeel; very well made.
Best Mezcal
Los Perdidos De La Noche Mezcal – Reposado Artesanal (BOC, GG, 94) Judges: Charred banana leaf; elegant, balanced and earthy
Best Rum
Rhum Barbancourt Estate Reserve 15-year-old (BOC, GG, 95)
Judges: Well made, with rich, bold, elegant edges; integrated, balanced caramel
Best Bourbon, Best Special Barrel Finished
Angel’s Envy Cellar Collection Vol. 5 – Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in French Oak Extra Añejo Tequila Barrels (BOC, GG, 99)
Judges: Creamy mousse, silky; clean citrus and floral; warm spice and long finish
Best Single Barrel American Whiskey
Uncle Nearest Single Barrel Whiskey – Batch 3633 (BOC, G, 94) Judges: Luxurious, dense, layered and balanced
Best Whiskey, Best Tennessee Whiskey
Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey (BOC, GG, 98) Judges: Amazing, well-made; caramel and lemongrass.
Best Brandy
Korbel Classic Brandy (BOC, GG, 96)
Judges: Complex, clean and balanced; vanilla, citrus notes and marzipan
Best Aperitif
Branca USA Carpano Rosso Sweet Vermouth (BOC, G, 94) Judges: Plum, hoisin, white flower and white pepper
Best Specialty Spirit
Bacan Guaro (BOC, GG, 97)
Judges: Licorice/fennel; clean, smooth; aromatics of sea breeze
Best Ready to Drink
Griffo Distillery Espresso Martini (BOC, GG, 95)
Judges: Rich and complex; cacao
Best Ready to Drink (Cider-based)
2 Towns Ciderhouse Craftwell Guava Crush (BOC, GG, 94) Judges: True guava; delicate; delicious light cider notes
Best Mixer
Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Ginger Beer (BOC, G, 96)
Judges: Fresh, clean and crisp with good aromas
