Winemaker Challenge Award Categories

Judges will award Winemaker Silver honors to wines that demonstrate above average character for the wine type and place of origin. Winemaker Gold honors will be awarded to wines that rise above a straightforward recommendation. 

Winemaker Platinum awards will be reserved for wines nominated for Best of Show in these categories: sparkling, rose, white, red and dessert. All judges will participate in the tasting evaluation and vote for Best of Show and Wine of the Year.

Judges will taste all wines blind, but may ask for information about place of origin or grape varieties included in a blend. Producer, price and vintage will not be disclosed until the close of the wine competition. The Director may, at his discretion, recognize outstanding performances by an individual winery or importer following tabulation of all results. Awards will be announced at www.winemakerchallenge.com and by regular mail.

Entering Winemaker Challenge 

A complete wine competition entry is comprised of six (6) 750ml or nine (9) 375ml bottles. Distilled spirits entries such as brandy require three (3) 750ml or six (6) 375ml bottles.   For larger bottles or alternative packaging, contact us for number required. Grape varieties, residual sugar, appellation, vineyard designation, proprietary names, retail price and alcohol level must be listed on the entry form with each entry.

Please fill out the wine competition entry form completely and accurately. The winery's telephone number, email address and contact person are important. Winners will be notified shortly after the end of the Competition by email, telephone or regular U.S. mail.   Use of your own format instead of our form is acceptable as long as all requested information is given.  Landscape layout is preferred.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to enter each wine in the proper category. If a category does not exist for your wine, leave the category field blank and the Director will assign the wine to the correct category or create a new category, if necessary, using the varietal composition and residual sugar level as a guide.

Wines entered in the wrong category will be moved to the correct category by the Director.

Enter the wine's name as it appears on the label. The wine's label will determine how the wine is identified to consumers and industry when awards are announced.   Please type or print carefully so your award certificates will be correct.

Entry Fees

$75 per entry received by November 18, 2011
$85 per entry after November 18, 2011

Final deadline is December 16, 2011

Make checks payable to Winemaker Challenge. Payment can also be made by Visa, Master Card and American Express. Charges will appear on credit card statement as "Wine Cellar Productions".

Mail Entry Form and fees (not wine) to: 
Winemaker Challenge
302 Washington St. #139
San Diego, CA. 92103


Alternative Entry Methods:
Enter by fax: 619-294-4878
Attention: Robert Whitley

Enter by email: winemakerchallenge@yahoo.com

Enter online at cruvee.com

Ship Wines Only to: 

Winemaker Challenge
1735 Hancock St
San Diego, CA. 92101-1118


Deadline for Entries:

November 18, 2011 (Early Bird)
December 16, 2011 (Final)

Deadline for Wines: 
December 23, 2011

Note:   Shipping as early as possible gives us more time to process the wine, resolve any issues or shipping errors, and gives the wine time to recover from traveling.

Sender is responsible for shipping costs and any duties, taxes, customs charges or other fees.   If you are shipping from outside the US and do not have your own importer, see the section titled "Foreign Wines" on the Rules page.

If you have any questions about entering the Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition, feel free to contact Director Robert Whitley, 619-804-0371 or WhitleyOnWine@yahoo.com,  or his assistant Felicia Forbes, 619-254-7117 or WinemakerChallenge@yahoo.com.