2019
Over two hundred canned wines from all over the world entered the first International Canned Wine Competition held July 24 at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds in Boonville, California. Wines from France, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and even England competed with wines from all over the United States.
While California and Oregon producers took their share of honors, many of the 37 gold medals went to wines from less prominent regions. Benmarl Winery of New York took home three gold medals, as did Leelanau Cellars from Michigan. Insomnia Wines scored big, winning three golds and walking off with Best of Show Red Wine for their California Pinot Noir. Sans Wine Co. 2017 Rutherford Napa Valley Riesling was awarded Best of Show White Wine.
Other notable winners were Canned Oregon, two gold medals; Riot Wine Co. Grenache from Australia; Colterris Winery 2016 Red Wine from Grand Valley, Colorado; Oklahoma’s Clauren Ridge Winery Synfully Sweet Peach Watermelon; and Companion Wine Co. Malvasia. Backpack Wine of Washington had a successful day, winning two gold medals as well as a gold medal for package design for their Rowdy Red. Vamos! Vino 2016 Malbec from Argentina took gold medals for the wine and design of the can. Fourth Wave Wine from Australia won three package design awards in addition to a gold medal for their Hootenanny Sauvignon Blanc. Prophecy Wines also won three gold medals for their beautifully illustrated cans, and both of The Uncommon cans from England won for their artwork as well.
Lead judge Robert Williams said he was “pleasantly surprised with the quality and range of the wines submitted.” Winemaker Randy Schock from Handley Cellars commented that the canned wines made him “think about how to approach winemaking outside of the bottle and rethink the pursuit of balance. This makes wine fun again!"
2019 International Canned Wine Competition Awards
Gold Medal Winners
Archer Roose Bubbly, Veneto Best of Class
Backpack Wine Cheeky Rosé, Columbia Valley
Backpack Wine Bubbly Rosé, Columbia Valley Best of Class
Benmarl Winery 2018 Chardonnay, Finger Lakes Best of Class
Benmarl Winery 2018 Dry Rosé, New York Best of Class
Benmarl Winery 2016 Slate Hill Red, New York Best of Class
Besa Mi Vino 2018 Just Right White, Paso Robles
Bridge Lane Chardonnay, New York State
Canned Oregon Pinot Noir, Oregon
Canned Oregon Pinot Gris, Oregon
Clauren Ridge Winery Synfully Sweet Peach Watermelon, Central Coast
Colterris Winery 2016 Canterris Red Wine, Grand Valley, Colorado
Companion Wine Co. 2018 Malvasia, North Coast
Francis Ford Coppola Winery 2017 Sofia Blanc de Blanc, Monterey
Francis Ford Coppola Winery 2018 Sofia Rosé, California
Gotham Project Cabernet Sauvignon, California
Hootenany 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
House Wine Rosé, American Best of Class
Insomnia Pinot Noir, California Best of Class and Best of Show Red Wine
Insomnia Sauvignon Blanc, California
Insomnia Chardonnay, California
Leelanau Cellars Winter White Bubbly, Michigan Best of Class
Leelanau Cellars Great Lakes Red Bubbly, Michigan
Leelanau Cellars Summer Sunset Rosé Bubbly, Michigan
Mercer Estates ICAN Chardonnay, Horse Heaven Hills
Penrose Hill Right Now Dry Rosé, California
Pomelo Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc, California Best of Class
Porch Pounder 2018 Rosé, Central Coast
Ramona Zibibbo, Sicily
Revolution 2016 Barbera, Sierra Foothills
Riot Wine Co. Rouge Grenache, McLarenVale
Ste. Chapelle Wild Huckleberry Spritz, American
Sans Wine Co. 2017 Riesling, Napa Valley Best of Class and Best of Show White Wine
Vamos Vino 2016 Malbec, Menoza, Argentina
Villa Bellangelo Can-do Patriot, Finger Lakes
West + Wilder Sparkling White, American
Wine Guerilla 2018 Rosé of Zinfandel, Sonoma County
Package Design Award Winners
Backpack Wine Rowdy Red, Columbia Valley
Mascareri Prosecco, Australia
Prophecy Pinot Noir, California
Prophecy Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
Prophecy Rosé, Vin de France
Ron Rubin 2018 Rosé, Russian River Valley
Take it to the Grave 2017 Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills
Take it to the Grave 2017 Shiraz, Langhorne Creek
The Uncommon 2018 Bacchus, England
The Uncommon 2018 Rosé, England
Vamos! Vino 2016 Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina
2019 Gold Medal Winners
White wines
Red wines
Rosé wines
Sparkling wines
Spritzers and flavored wines
Package design winners