Judge David Sandri summed up the fifth annual competition eloquently: “Serious, world class wines are going into cans; you can’t judge a wine by its container. The quality at these price points is stellar!”
David and his fellow panelists awarded 69 gold medals to 230 entries from 62 producers, including wines from the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Great Britain, Switzerland, Romania, Japan, South Africa, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and all over the United States. The competition wrapped up July 20 in Boonville, California.
The panel of judges was so impressed by two white wines that they felt compelled to award two Best of Show White Wines:
Bridge Lane Wine NV Chardonnay, New York State
Joie Farm 2022 A Noble Blend, British Columbia, Canada
Other Best of Show awards:
Best of Show Rosé: Maker Wine 2022 Rosé of Grenache, Monterey, California
Best of Show Red Wine: Djuce 2022 Chilled Red (Montepulciano), Italy
Best of Show Sparkling Wine: Bridge Lane Wine NV Bubbles Rosé, New York State
Best of Show Spritzer: Off Piste Wines Ltd., 2022 Pinot Grigio Spritzer, Western Cape, South Africa
Bridge Lane Wine in New York stole the show with two Best of Show awards. The Sweepstakes Award, for the most gold medals, went to R!ot Wine Co. of Australia, who racked up seven gold medals.
Veteran wine judges Dan Berger, Laura Ness, Jonathan Cristaldi, David Sandri, Shany Cruz, and Greg Richtarek returned this year and were joined on the panels by Brielle Buckler, Bernadette Byrne and Makenzie Blaylock. Jonathan Cristaldi commented, “What’s great is confirming via blind tasting that good wine in cans is a good idea. Hopefully seeing that we’ve awarded well-made wines will inspire other producers.”
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this event, including our generous sponsors, CanSource and Saxco.
Images of all winners, including the Package Design Awards, follow.
White Wine (tie): Bridge Lane Wine Chardonnay, New York State
Joie Farm 2022 A Noble Blend, British Columbia, Canada
Rosé Wine: Maker Wine 2022 Rosé of Grenache, Monterey, California
Red Wine: Djuce 2022 Chilled Red (Montepulciano), Italy
Sparkling Wine: Bridge Lane Wine Bubbles Rosé, New York State
Spritzer: Off Piste Wines Ltd., 2022 Pinot Grigio Spritzer, Western Cape, South Africa
Besa Wines
Besa mi Vino 2022 Keep Turning Heads Red, Paso Robles, California
Black Mesa Winery and Cidery
Wild Wilderness Wine Chili Sangria, New Mexico
Bodegas Barbadillo SL
Barbadillo Mixed Spritzer, Spain
Born Brands BCN
2022 Born Rosé Wine, Penedés DO, Spain
2022 Rosé Wine with Bubbles, Penedés DO, Spain
Bridge Lane Wine
NV Bubbles Rosé, New York State, Best of Show Sparkling Wine
NV Chardonnay, New York State, Best of Show White Wine
NV Rosé, New York State
NV Bubbles, New York State
Candour Wine
2022 Dry Riesling, Luxembourg
Cherubino Valsangiacomo
CanMaleon NV White, Spain
CanMaleon NV Rosé, Spain
Devonian Coast Wineries
Jost Vineyards 2022 Tidal Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada
Lüvo Life Company NV Piquette + Peach, Nova Scotia, Canada
Lüvo Life Company NV Raspberry Lemonade Spritzer, Nova Scotia, Canada
Lüvo Life Company NV L'Acadie Pinot Grigio, Nova Scotia, Canada
Djuce Wines
Djuce 2022 Chilled Red, Vino da Tavola, Italy, Best of Show Red Wine
Djuce 2022 Spritz Rosé, Vino da Tavola, Italy
Djuce 2022 Riesling, Pfalz, Germany
Domeniile Boieru SRL
Upside 2022 Rosé Blend, Transylvania, Romania
Upside 2022 Sauvignon Blanc & Muscat, Transylvania, Romania
Donelli Vini SPA
NV Bollicino Red Wine, Italy
NV Lambrusco Rosé Wine, Lambrusco, Italy
Enotap
Anchor & Hope Wine 2020 Pinot Noir, Rheinhessen, Germany
Anchor & Hope Wine 2021 Riesling, Rheinhessen, Germany
Anchor & Hope Wine 2022 Pinot Gris, Rheinhessen, Germany
JoieFarm Winery
2022 A Noble Blend, British Columbia, Canada, Best of Show White Wine
Maker Wine Company
2022 Rosé of Grenache, Monterey, California, Best of Show Rosé Wine
2022 Carbonic Red, Lodi, California
2021 Zinfandel, Paso Robles, California
2022 Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc, Lake County, California
Mercian
Gyugyu Squeezed Sangria Sparkling Red Wine with mango and apple, Japan
Gyugyu Squeezed Sangria Sparkling White Wine with grape and pear, Japan
Winemaker's Sangria Sour Red Wine with orange, Japan
Mindful Drinkers S.L.
Zeena 2022 Sparkling Rosé Wine, Penedés DO, Spain
Muse Vineyards
NV Pichet, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
2021 Gamay, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
Noboleis Vineyards
Swirl Sangria Citrus and Peach, American
Swirl Sangria Elderberry and Black Cherry, American
Off Piste Wines Ltd.
PinotPinot 2022 Pinot Grigio Spritzer, Western Cape, South Africa, Best of Show Spritzer
PinotPinot 2022 Pinot Grigio Fizz, Western Cape, South Africa
Most Wanted Wines 2022 Pinot Grigio Fizz, Western Cape, South Africa
Most Wanted Wines 2022 Sauvignon Blanc Rosé, Western Cape, South Africa
Riot Wine Co.
Spritz Cooler Classic Citrus, South Australia
Sparkling Chardonnay, South Australia
Spritz Cooler Lemon Lychee, South Australia
Spritz Cooler Peach Bellini, South Australia
2021 Grenache, McLaren Vale, Australia
2021 Chardonnay, Fleurieu Peninsula, Australia,
2022 Pinot Grigio, South Australia
So.Vi.Pi. sas
Officina del vino e dello Spirito Moscato, Provincia Di Pavia IGT, Italy
Officina del vino e dello Spirito Glera Frizzante, Veneto IGT, Italy
Officina del vino e dello Spirito My Exotic Tea, Italy
Officina del vino e dello Spirito Sweet, Italy
Officina del vino e dello Spirito Mynhattan, Italy
Suntory
Kyuujitsu non-alcoholic White, Japan
The French Kiss Club
2022 Rosé, Pays d'Herault, France
2021 Bubbly White, Vin de Pays, France
2021 Bubbly Rosé, Vin de Pays, France
The OBC Wine Project
2022 Grüner Veltliner, American
2022 Sparkling Pinot Gris, American
NV Red Blend, American
NV Guava Spritz, American
Union Wine Company
Underwood NV Pinot Gris, Oregon
Underwood NV Rosé Bubbles, Oregon
Valsania Srl
GLÈ 2022 Semi-Sparkling Wine, Veneto IGT, Italy
Via Pacifica Selections
#WineMode 2021 Pinot Noir, Casablanca Valley, Chile
Vindica Wine
2021 Garnacha Blanca, Spain
Wise Villa Winery
2022 Chardonnay, Clements Hills, California
The 69 gold medal winners for 2023
White Wines
Rosé Wines
Red Wines
Sparkling Wines
Spritzers
Alcohol Removed Wines
Blush, Romania
Maker Wines, California
Officina del vino e dello Spirito, Italy
Riot Wine Co., Australia
Djuce, Sweden
#Winemode, California
Vindica Wine, Denmark
Lüvo Wines, Canada
Donelli Vini, Italy
The OBC Wine Project, Colorado
We Are the Uncommon, New Zealand
Wiihaa, Switzerland
Calimojo, California
La Vie, France