Commercial Wine Competition
Commercial Wine Competition
October 20-21, 2026
REGISTRATION WILL OPEN SOON.
Entering the Commercial Competition
Fee: $75.00 per entry.
There are discounts for AWS Members and those who do not wish to receive medals, as well as early registration.
Rules and Information (see Entry Rules and Directions for complete rules)
-
- The competition is open to all wineries, distributors and importers.
- Pre-Registration is required and entry forms must be received by October 8, 2025
- The fee is $75.00 per entry or $65.00 per entry for AWS Professional Members. $5 per entry discount if done before Sept 15
- The committee will make every effort to insure that the wines are properly stored in a controlled environment prior to the competition and properly served to the judges during the competition.
- The results of the competition will be published in an upcoming edition of the AWS Wine Journal magazine, and posted on the AWS web site.
- Three 750ml bottles (or four 375ml) are required for each wine entered. For distilled, two 375 ml bottles or one 750 ml bottle.
Use our On-line Entry Page or see below for hardcopy entry.
Shipping
NOTE: Wines should be shipped to arrive no later than Oct 8 at:
On-Site Shipping Address (For wines sent after Sept 1, 2026)
Shipping Address
TBD, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Note: wines may be shipped prior to Sept 1. Please contact Rex at cwc@americanwinesociety.org for directions.
Hardcopy Entry
While on-line entries are preferred, hardcopy entries are accepted.
Print the PDF form, fill out and make appropriate copies. PRINT OR TYPE ALL ENTRY INFORMATION IN BLACK INK. Mail or email the entry form to AWS. Include the name of the winery, distributor or importer and a complete mailing address. Also provide phone number with area code, name and title of the individual at the winery in case questions, errors or shipping problems arise. Include the name of the wine entered and the vintage year. If non-vintage wine, please check the box provided. Percent alcohol and residual sugar percentage should be provided. Wine composition and % of each component will greatly enhance judging of your wine.
Mail to: American Wine Society, PO Box 889, Scranton, PA 18501
(Please do NOT enclose payment in your shipment of samples for evaluation).
Payment: Check or money order should be made payable to: American Wine Society.
VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards are also accepted.
2025 COMPETITION RESULTS
2025 American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition Results
PREVIOUS YEARS’ COMPETITION RESULTS
2024 American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition Results
2023 American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition Results
2022 American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition Results
2021 American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition Results
2019 American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition Results
2018 American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition Results
2017 American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition Results
Scoring and Awards
-
- All wine categories are eligible to win the following awards: Double Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze
- The judging will be done in a blind-tasting.
- The judging panels will be made up of American Wine Society trained judges and industry professionals.
- Winners will be announced in November
- Medals will be mailed by early December. Results will be posted on the AWS website by November 15, 2025.
- The “Best of Category” winners will be clearly superior in their category and the “Best of Show” wine will have an overall enological excellence that surpasses all other wines in the competition. The following special awards will be given: Best Red Wine, Best White Wine, Best Rosé Wine, Best Sparkling Wine, Best Hybrid Wine, Best Native Wine, Best Dessert Wine, Best Fruit Wine, Best Distilled Product, and Best of Show.
- Best of Florida Grown and Produced Award. The AWS Commercial Competition gives a special award each year for a grape variety grown widely in the location of our competition. This year the featured award is for the best wine made in Florida. If you wish any of your wines be considered for this award, please check the box for that wine in the application form. There is NO extra charge for this competition.
Commercial Wine Competition Chair:
Rex Bambling cwc@americanwinesociety.org
About the American Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition
The American Wine Society competition for commercial wine, which now includes spirits, has been held annually since the 1986 National Conference. Today the competition requires year-long preparation, dedicated volunteers, and a refined system of computers and human resources to handle operational details.
Judges are selected from a broad spectrum of wine industry professionals, including marketers, writers and wine makers. A significant number of judges for each competition are also chosen from among graduates of the AWS’s own rigorous and well regarded Wine Judge Certification Program. All wines are judged blind and by panel consensus.
Winning wines receive American Wine Society medals, posting on the American Wine Society website and publicity in American Wine Society publications. Best of Class award winners are recognized in both popular and trade media. All wines entered are offered to attendees immediately following the competition during the National Conference and top award winners are featured. Attendees are avid and knowledgeable wine consumers, making the Conference an ideal marketing opportunity. Year long, entered wines are poured at other American Wine Society, wine consumer and trade events.
