Five intrepid judges tasted 154 wines from twelve countries at the sixth annual International Canned Wine Competition August 7th and 8th in Boonville, California. Wines from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, and Spain competed with wines from across the U.S.A. The judges awarded 57 gold medals as well as seven Best of Show awards. Congratulations to all the winners!
Top honors go to Stag’s Hollow Winery from Canada; two of their wines earned Best of Show honors. The Odell Brewing Company of Colorado won the Sweepstakes Award for most gold medals, four, along with a Best of Show award, which nudged them ahead of R!ot Wine Co. of Australia, who also won four gold medals.
2024 Best of Show winners:
Best of Show White Wine: Stag’s Hollow Winery 2023 Tragically Vidal
Best of Show Rosé Wine: Stag’s Hollow Winery 2023 Syrah Rosé
Best of Show Red Wine: Stoller Swing Pinot Noir
Best of Show Sparkling White Wine: The OBC Wine Project 2023 Colorado Fizz
Best of Show Sparkling Rosé Wine: Underwood Rosé Bubbles
Best of Show Sparkling Red Wine: Suntory Oishiiwine Sparkling Red Wine
Best of Show Spritzer: Blue Lobster Urban Winery Offshore Lemon Wine Spritzer
European judge Maria Scharffenberg flew in for the competition, joining Barbara Barielle as first-time judges for us. They fit right in with our veteran judges, Laura Ness, Greg Richtarek, and Shany Cruz. Laura shared these comments: “Tasting through a flight of sparkling whites, with everything from a typical Glera bubbly to a piquette and a dry hopped Viognier, gives you an appreciation for the creativity of winemakers putting their wares into cans. And how could you not love a wine called Frida Kahlo Brut or a sparkling white Lambrusco?”
The dates for next year’s event have been set: July 30 and 31, 2025. Competition Director Allan Green promises it will again be “alluminating.”
A list and images of all medal winners, including the package design awards, follows. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this event, including our generous sponsors, CanSource, Saxco, and the Canned Wine Podcast.