Garrison Brothers Distillery and Ledson Winery Take Top Honors
(March 17, 2025) — Winners have been announced in the fourth annual Los Angeles Invitational Wine & Spirits Challenge. A merlot from Ledson Vineyards & Winery (Sonoma County, Calif.) and a small batch bourbon from Garrison Brothers Distillery (Hye, Texas.) topped their fields to be named Best of the Best.
The competition was established in 2022, in conjunction with Los Angeles-based beverage professionals (representing both the on- and off-premise channels), to highlight the best of the best wine and spirits producers in the world, and to introduce those producers to the largest market of consumers in the United States.
Judging took place February 25-26, 2025. Says event producer Debra Del Fiorentino of Wine Competitions Management & Production, “Year after year, our judges continue to be impressed with the depth in each category. The quality of product was fantastic!”
Competition this year was stellar, with more than 20% of entries receiving Best of Class designations and 37% of entered product across the wine and spirits fields awarded Double Gold (GG) and Gold (G) medals. When judging early rounds of a beverage competition, each entry is evaluated on its own merits — not comparatively — so every sample has a chance to earn a medal.
Garrison Brothers 2024 Cowboy Bourbon wowed judges with its “nutty toast” and “dry apricot” characteristics as it galloped to the top of the spirits sweepstakes to take Best of the Best honors.
“Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon is the perfect example of what happens when you take your time and do things the right way,” says Rob Cordes, VP of marketing for Garrison Brothers. “It’s made from grains locally grown in Texas and aged in smaller White Oak barrels to bring out a bolder, richer flavor. On the nose, you get a mix of oak and caramel that makes you want to take a sip, and when you do, it’s smooth with a little kick. You’ll taste a bit of spice, vanilla and honey that lingers with a nice, warm finish. Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon is the kind of bourbon you pour when you want something that feels as strong and proud as the Texas land it comes from. Cowboy Bourbon is not just another bottle on the shelf — it’s a legend.”
Described by judges as “Well-structured” with “ripe berry, cherry and roasted coffee,” and a “long finish,” the Ledson Vineyards & Winery 2019 Merlot was voted Best of the Best in the wine category, earning 96 points and a Double Gold rating. Ledson Winery & Vineyards produces more than 70 wines annually, representing the largest ultra-premium wine portfolio of any family-owned winery in the United States.
The Los Angeles Times, which is media sponsor of the competition, will publish its own notification of the event and results in a future edition. Additionally, winning producers will be featured in a robust LA Times online and social promotional campaign targeting its expansive audience of wine, spirits and food enthusiasts. Estimated reach is more than 700,000 impressions.
“Partnering with a media company that reaches such a large and enthusiastic wine and food audience brings another level of recognition for our winners,” says Del Fiorentino. “The ability to connect to the Southern California retail and restaurant markets has great potential for these producers.”
Next year’s competition will take place in early March 2026.
Below is a list of Best of Show winners. For a full list of Best of Class and medal winners, click here: wine; spirits.
LA International Wine Competition Winners
Best of the Best, Best Red Wine
Ledson Winery and Vineyards 2019 Merlot (96 pts., GG, BOC)
Judges: “Well structured”; “ripe berry, cherry”; “roasted coffee”; “long finish”
Best White Wine
Navarro Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Cuvée 128 (98, GG, BOC)
Judges: “Plush citrus”; “chocolate”; “tropical”; “little spritz”; “nice finish”
Best Sparkling Wine
Pennyroyal Farm 2016 Almittey Brut (98, GG, BOC)
Judges: “Gorgeous, rich”; “lemon peel”; “beautiful sweet finish”; “creamy”
Best Rosé Wine
King Estate Winery 2023 Rosé of Pinot Noir (97, GG, BOC)
Judges: “Delicate”; “Queen Anne cherry fruit”; “bruised apple notes”
Best Dessert Wine
Chateau d’Arche 2023 Soleil d’Arche (97, GG, BOC)
Judges: “Shines”; “balanced”; “candy lemon peel”
LA International Spirits Competition Winners
Best of the Best, Best Whiskey, Best Small Batch Bourbon >10 yrs.
Garrison Brothers Distillery 2024 Cowboy Bourbon (98, GG, BOC)
Judges: “Very interesting”; “nutty toast”;’ “dry apricot”
Best Straight Bourbon
Minden Mill Nevada Straight Bourbon Whiskey (98, GG, BOC)
Judges: “Expansive peat”; “easy approach”; “balanced and clean”
Best Single Malt Whiskey
Stranahan’s Mountain Angel (98, GG, BOC)
Judges: “Rich vanilla oak with hints of brioche”; “cinnamon spice and coconut on palette”; “smooth lingering finish”
Best Rye Whiskey
Larado Whiskey 8 Year Single Barrel Rye (93, G, BOC)
Judges: “Clean and elegant”; “subtle, peach”
Best Tennessee Whiskey
Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey (92, G, BOC)
Judges: “Rich, round and aged”
Best Tequila, Best Tequila Extra Añejo
1800 Milenio (99, GG, BOC)
Judges: “Like a fine cognac”; “world class barrel aged spirit.”; “expertly crafted”
Best Tequila Añejo
Familia Camerena Tequila Añejo (97, GG, BOC)
Judges: “Elegant, refined”; “light bodied”; “excellent layers of spice notes throughout”
Best Tequila Reposado
1800 Reposado (98, GG, BOC)
Judges: “Complex and multi-layered”; “Forest floor, dried leaf and wet stone”; “expertly crafted” Review comment!!
Best Tequila Blanco
Centinela Blanco (96, GG, BOC)
Judges: “Very traditional style”’; “austere and earthy”; “light, airy, crisp”; “clean and refined”
Best Cristalino
Centinela Eterno Cristalino (93, G, BOC)
Judges: “Earthy, light”; “excellent layer of smoke and sweetness”
Best Cachaça
Seven Waves Silver Cachaça (95, GG, BOC)
Judges: “Well-balanced”; “smooth”; “light, airy and textbook”
Best Vodka
New Amsterdam Vodka Original (92, G, BOC)
Judges: “Rich and clean on palate”; “long length, good minerality”
Best Vodka (Flavored)
Ogden’s Own Distillery Five Wives Spicy Vodka (96, GG, BOC)
Judges: “Out of the ordinary”; “spicy, nice heat”; “tamarind”; “balanced with an Asian twist”
Best Gin
Coit Spirits Earl Gray Distilled Tea Gin (98, GG, BOC)
Judges: “Straight juniper”; “clean and fine”; “citrus finish”; “lively sweet finish”
Best Gin (Flavored)
Posh Gin Pink Grapefruit (93, G, BOC)
Judges: “Citrus”; “very clear”
Best Hard Seltzer
High Noon Hard Seltzer Peach (93, G, BOC)
Judges: “Very balanced peach flavor”
Best Ready to Drink (RTD)
Napa Cru Yuzu Lemon Drop (98, GG, BOC)
Judges: “Fresh, natural aroma”; “balance of sweet and sour”
Best Mixer
Taste of Florida Bloody Mary Mix (96, GG, BOC)
Judges: “Delicious, tastes like homemade”; “well-balanced flavors, spiced”; “expertly crafted”; “Bloody Mary from the best bartender”; “excellent Bloody Mary”; “Good level of spice”
