Leigh’s Garden Winery Earns Best of Show as 27 Wines Receive Double Gold Honors in National Competition
November 13, 2026 (Scranton, PA) — The American Wine Society (AWS), the nation’s largest consumer-based wine education organization, proudly announces the winners of its 2026 Commercial Wine Competition, recognizing outstanding wines from producers across the country.
Held October 20–21, 2026, the competition brought together wines from commercial wineries and producers for evaluation by panels of AWS-trained and certified wine judges and industry professionals. Using a rigorous blind-tasting process, judges evaluated wines for quality and overall excellence, awarding medals and selecting exceptional entries for Best of Category and Best of Show honors.
Leigh’s Garden Winery earned the competition’s highest distinction, Best of Show, for its Fee-Bee, standing out among the entries for overall excellence.
In addition to the Best of Show award, eight wines were recognized with top honors in their respective categories, representing an impressive range of wine styles and varietals.
2026 Best of Show and Category Winners
- Best of Show & Best Hybrid: Leigh’s Garden Winery Fee-Bee
- Best White Vinifera: Vint Hill Craft Winery Petit Manseng “Madison”
- Best Red Vinifera: 8 Chains North Tempranillo
- Best Red Blend: Two Dogs Whine Old Meets New
- Best Mixed Red Blend: JOLO 10th Anniversary
- Best Rosé: Arrington Vineyards FireFly Rosé
- Best Fruit Wine: E&J Gallo Barefoot Fruitscato Strawberry
- Best Sparkling Wine: E&J Gallo Barefoot Bubbly Extra Dry
- Best Dessert Wine: Ferrante Vidal Blanc Ice Wine
Double Gold Medal Winners Demonstrate Exceptional Quality
The 2026 competition also recognized 27 wines with Double Gold medals, highlighting the breadth of quality and craftsmanship represented among this year’s entries. Double Gold recipients included wines from established national producers, regional wineries, and boutique winemakers, reflecting the diversity of the American wine industry.
The 2026 Double Gold Medal winners are:
- 8 Chains North – 2023 Tempranillo
- Arrington Vineyards – 2025 Firefly Rosé
- Biltmore Estate Winery – 2022 The Hunt
- Bordeleau Winery – Lot 5 Malbec
- Carriage House Wineworks – 2023 Tannat
- Chiselled Grape Winery – 2023 Sexy Petaluma Gap Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
- Chiselled Grape Winery – 2023 Sexy Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cypress Bend Vineyards – Sundown
- E&J Gallo – Barefoot Cellars Sauvignon Blanc
- E&J Gallo – Barefoot Cellars Rich Red Blend
- E&J Gallo – Barefoot Fruitscato Pineapple
- E&J Gallo – Barefoot Fruitscato Lemonade
- E&J Gallo – Barefoot Fruitscato Strawberry
- E&J Gallo – Barefoot Bubbly Extra Dry
- Effingham Manor & Winery – 2023 Effingham Tannat
- Ferrante – 2024 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine
- Ferrante – 2025 Cabernet Franc Ice Wine
- JOLO – 10th Anniversary
- JOLO – 2025 Pink
- Leigh’s Garden Winery —-Fee-Bee
- Mountain Brook Vineyards – 2024 Petit Verdot
- Mountain Brook Vineyards – 2024 BDX
- Stone Hill Winery – 2025 Reserve Traminette
- Stone Hill Winery – Steinberg Red
- Two Dogs Whine – Old Meets New
- Vint Hill Craft Winery – 2025 Petit Manseng “Madison”
- Vint Hill Craft Winery – 2023 Tannat
A Tradition of Excellence in Wine Evaluation
The American Wine Society has conducted its Commercial Wine Competition annually for over 40 years, establishing a longstanding tradition of recognizing excellence in winemaking. The competition distinguishes itself through its blind-tasting format and experienced judging panels, which include wine industry professionals and graduates of the American Wine Society’s rigorous Wine Judge Certification Program. Wines are evaluated by panel consensus, emphasizing consistent and objective assessment.
Beyond the awards, the competition provides participating wineries with valuable national recognition and exposure to a community of approximately 6,500 wine enthusiasts, educators, and industry professionals. Award-winning wines are recognized through AWS publications, digital communications, and industry outreach, with opportunities to be featured at AWS educational events and tastings.
The American Wine Society congratulates all of the 2026 award recipients and thanks the participating wineries, judges, and volunteers whose dedication continues to make the Commercial Wine Competition a respected tradition in the wine industry.
About the American Wine Society
Founded in 1967, the American Wine Society is the largest consumer-based wine education organization in the United States, dedicated to promoting the appreciation of wine through education. With approximately 6,500 members nationwide, AWS brings together wine enthusiasts, educators, winemakers, and industry professionals through local chapters, educational programs, wine competitions, and its annual National Conference.
For more information about the American Wine Society and its wine competitions, visit http://www.americanwinesociety.org.
