WineMaker International Amateur Wine Competition Results:
With 2,825 entries, the event is once again the largest wine competition of its kind in the world!
Wines were judged on April 10-12, 2015 at the Burlington Hilton in Burlington, Vermont.
- 2,825 Total Entries
- 870 Total Wine Flights
- 1,012 Total Judging Hours
- 49 American States Represented
- 6 Canadian Provinces Represented
- 10 Countries Represented
From April 10 to 12, 2015, a total of 2,825 different wines were judged at the Burlington Hilton in Burlington, Vermont. This year’s competition was again the largest wine competition of its kind in the world. The 2,825 entries arrived from hobby winemakers throughout North America in 49 American states and 6 Canadian provinces and as far away as China and Australia. It continues to be the single largest and most diverse collection of hobby wines assembled annually under one roof.
Over the course of three days, experienced judging panels worked through 870 flights, examining each wine using the UC-Davis 20-point wine scale evaluating appearance, aroma, taste, aftertaste and overall impression. The wines were entered in 50 different categories and included an astonishing array of varietals and wine styles. Kit wines competed alongside fresh-grape entries in this blind tasting.
Entries were awarded gold, silver, bronze and best of show medals based on the average score given by the judging panel. The Grand Champion wine medal was the top overall scoring wine across all categories. The Club of the Year was given to the club whose members won the most medals and the Retailer of the Year and U-Vint of the Year awards were given to the winemaking supply stores whose customers outperformed other similar shops.
Finally the Winemaker of the Year award was given to the individual entrant who has the highest average score across their top 5 scoring wines in the competition.
Congratulations to everyone who won a medal, and a sincere thanks to our sponsors, Judging Director, Gene Spaziani, Competition Director, Ric Quental, events coordinator Jannell Kristiansen, our judges, competition volunteers, and, of course, everyone who took time to enter.
We are already busy planning for the 2016 edition of this competition so get your wines ready for the March 11, 2016 entry deadline! Cheers and thanks for entering your wines!
Grand Champion Wine
Michael Rinker • Kennewick, WA
100% Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Sponsor:
Winemakers of the Year
Rex Johnston and Barbara Bentley • Walnut Creek, CA
Sponsor:
Retailer of the Year
Quality Wine and Ale Supply • Elkhart, IN
Sponsor:
U-Vint of the Year
DeVine Wines Aurora • Aurora, ON
Sponsor:
Club of the Year
Contra Costa Wine Group • California
Sponsor:
Best of Show Mead
Scott Neeley • Pittsburgh, PA
97% Buckwheat Honey, 1% Red Raspberry, 1% Black Currant, 1% Montmorency Cherry 2014
Sponsor:
Best of Show Estate Grown
Emilio B. de Sousa • Gilroy, CA
90% Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Estate Merlot 2009
Sponsor:
Best of Show Red
Bob Vozzella • Franklin, MA
100% Suisun Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Sponsor:
Best of Show White
Mark Zdobinski • Eldorado, OH
100% Valvin Muscat 2014
Sponsor:
Best of Show Dessert
Janet and Sal Internicola • Flanders, NJ
100% Winexpert Selection Speciale
Cabernet Franc Ice Wine 2014
Sponsor:
Best of Show Country Fruit
David Wawro • Jordon, NY
80% Raspberry, 20% Apple 2014
Sponsor:
Best of Show Sparkling
Robert Fowler • Saint Paul, MN
100% La Crescent 2013
Sponsor:
Best of Show Kit/Concentrate
Wally Hemming • Headingley, MB
100% RJS Craft Winemaking Cru Select RQ Spanish Monastrell Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Sponsor: