Category Archives: Awards

AFWC: THE ROSÉ COMPETITION Is OPEN!

The American Fine Wine Competition is both pleased and honored to invite you to submit your rosé wines to THE Rosé Competition 2025This will be the 12th edition of this noted wine competition, taking place in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on May 31, 2025. Our esteemed judges from across the country include a balance of sommeliers, chefs, wine writers, retailers and educators.     

REGISTER HERE! The fee is $70.00 per wine entered.  Registered wines will be accepted through May 20, 2025. Both International and domestic rosé wines are invited to participate. This includes sparkling, dry, and sweet wine categories.

We require four bottles of each wine entered, two for the competition, one to promote your wine at our annual “Fifty Shades of Pink” fundraising event (date and location will be announced soon), and one signed bottle for our charity auction. Thank you and we look forward to sharing your wines. ~Shari & Chris


AFWC: The Results Are IN!

The American Fine Wine Competition Announces

Results from the 18th annual Judging

Where was Sawyer Somm in January? In Florida, judging at the American Fine Wine Competition! This invitation-only wine judging included 550 wines from 150 wineries vying for top honors. Hosted, once again, by the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University in North Miami.

The 2025 Top Awards

BEST OF SHOW

Sparkling Wine

2017 Domaine Carneros  Le Reve, Carneros ($125)

White Wine

2023 Castello di Amarosa  Gewurztraminer  Anderson Valley ($35)

Red Wine

2019 Talisman  Pinot Noir  Mystery Vineyard  Sonoma Coast ($85)

Sweet White Wine

2023 Ferrante Winery Vidal Blanc Ice Wine  Grand River Valley ($35)

Sweet Red Wine

Prager Winery & Port Works Noble Companion 10-Yr-Old Tawny, Napa ($85)

BEST OF CLASS

Sauvignon Blanc

2023 Barnett Vineyards Andrew’s Vineyard Dry Creek Valley ($35)

Chardonnay

2023 Mi Sueno Winery Estate Carneros, Napa ($75)

Other White Single Varietal

2023 Eastwood Farm & Winery Petit Masang, Monticello ($35)

Other White Blend

2023 Carol Shelton Coquille Blanc Paso Robles ($28)

Albarino

2023 Clearwater Canyon Crawford Vineyard Yakima ($22)

Riesling, Dry

2021 Brooks Lone Star Eola-Amity Hills ($35)

Riesling Off-dry

2022 Bel Lago Leelanau Peninsula ($18)

Gewurztraminer

2023 Castello di Amarosa Anderson Valley ($35)

Sweet White

2023 Ferrante Vidal Ica Wine Grand River Valley ($35)

Sweet Red

Prager Winery & Port Works Noble Companion 10-Yr old Tawny, Napa ($85)

Sparkling Wine

2017 Domaine Carneros “Le Reve” Carneros ($125)

Pinot Noir

2019 Talisman Wine Mystery Vineyard Sonoma Coast ($85)

Zinfandel

2021 Deerfield Ranch Sommer Ranch Vineyard Dry Creek Valley ($68)

Cabernet Franc

2022 Element 79 Vineyards Estate “Fair Play” ($45)

Merlot

2021 Robert Foley Vineyards Napa Valley ($80)

Syrah

2021 J. Lohr Vineyards “Gesture” Paso Robles ($45)

Petit Verdot

2022 J. Lohr Vineyards Home Ranch Paso Robles ($45)

Red Bordeaux-style Blend

2019 Peju Reserve Meritage Napa Valley ($175)

Cabernet Sauvignon

2021 ZD Wines Reserve Napa Valley ($175)

Other Red Single Varietal

2023 Cline Cellars Mourvèdre Small Berry Contra Costa County ($45)

Malbec

2021 Shadowbox McKenzie Mullen Vyd. Carneros, Napa ($65)

Petite Sirah

2022 V. Sattui Barrel Aged Napa ($52)

Sangiovese

2022 Eberle Paso Robles ($45)

Other Red Blend

 2022 Bricoleur Vineyards “La Rumeur” Sonoma County ($65)

AFWC’s “One Thousand Bottles”: Sunday Jan 19th!

AFWC’s “One Thousand Bottles”: Sipping through America

Get your TICKETS! January 19, 2025 from 6:30-9:00 PM

FIU CHAPLIN SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY ON THE PATIO (3000 NE 151st St, North Miami Beach, FL 33160)

This is the most exciting and exclusive wine tasting event of the year. More than 1,000 bottles of very special wines from the American Fine Wine Judging, The Invitational, are poured to our hundreds of wine-enthusiastic guests. It is a true Wine Extravaganza! SEE YOU THERE- CHRIS/SawyerSomm


Benefitting Charites are End Childhood Hunger and The Joel Feigenheimer Endowment Fund.

Announcing. . . the 2024 SIFF Wine Awards Winners!

Revealed during the Awards Brunch, hosted by Fairmont Mission Inn, at the Sonoma International Film Festival last Sunday March 24th. Watch the highlights, peruse the list for more details: Congratulations & THANK YOU to everyone involved!

SPARKLING WINE

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts   Breathless NV Blanc de Noirs Brut, Sonoma County

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST SPARKLING WINE –SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024
Sharon Cohn of Breathless Wines

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Gloria Ferrer 2019 Brut Rosé, Carneros

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Breathless 2018 Pinot Meunier Sparkling Wine, Sonoma County

GOLD / 92 Pts              Gloria Ferrer 2013 Carneros Cuvée, Carneros

GOLD / 92 Pts              Glen Lyon 2021 “Lexy’s Toast” Sparkling Rosé, North Coast

GOLD / 91 Pts              Bennett Valley Cellars NV ” Cuvée Marina” Sparkling Wine, Sonoma County

GOLD / 91 Pts              Glen Lyon 2021 “Lexy’s Toast” Sparkling Wine, North Coast

SILVER                        Breathless 2018 Pinot Blanc Sparkling Wine, Reserve, Alexander Valley

SILVER                        Gloria Ferrer 2019 Blanc de Blancs Brut, Carneros

SILVER                        Larson Family NV Sparkling Wine, Carneros

AROMATIC WHITES (ALSATIAN, RHONE & ITALIAN WHITE VARIETALS)

DBL GOLD / 97 Pts   Larson Family 2022 Gewurztraminer, Estate Grown, Carneros

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST AROMATIC WHITE WINE – SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       En Garde 2022 Viognier, Petaluma Gap

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Thirty-Seven 2022 Albarino, Estate Grown, Petaluma Gap

GOLD / 92 Pts              Anaba 2022 Viognier, Landa Vineyards Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 90 Pts              Anaba 2022 Turbine White Blend No. 02, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Muscardini 2021 Vermentino, Coyote Creek Vineyard, Clements Hills, Lodi

SILVER                        La Prenda 2021 “The Copper” Pinot Grigio, Napa Valley

SILVER                        Sebastiani 2022 Pinot Grigio, Russian River Valley

SILVER                        Glen Lyon 2022 “Suzie’s Toast” Viognier, Margarets Vyd, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Mountain Terraces 2021 Viognier, Estate Grown, Moon Mountain District

SAUVIGNON BLANC

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts   Laurel Glen 2022 “Blanc Slate” Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST SAUVIGNON BLANC — SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Capo Isetta 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, North Coast

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Ledson 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Little Horse Estate Vineyard, Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 94 Pts              Zina Hyde Cunningham 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Estate, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Highway 12 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County

SILVER                        Kukeri 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley

CHARDONNAY

DBL GOLD / 97 Pts   Capo Isetta 2022 Chardonnay, Sangiacomo Vineyard, Carneros

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST CHARDONNAY – SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Buena Vista 2021 Eleanora’s Selection Chardonnay, North Coast

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Idell Family 2022 Chardonnay, Michael Mara Vineyard, Sonoma Coast

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Banshee 2021 Chardonnay, Sonoma County

GOLD / 92 Pts              Bennett Valley Cellars 2022 Chardonnay, Sonoma County

GOLD / 92 Pts              Ferrari-Carano 2021 “Tre Terre” Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

GOLD / 91 Pts              Anaba 2021 Chardonnay, Carneros

GOLD / 91 Pts              Larson Family 2022 Three Lab Chardonnay, Sonoma County

GOLD / 90 Pts              DeLoach 2021 “Fleur de Lys” Estate Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

GOLD / 90 Pts              Sonoma Creek 2022 Chardonnay, Sonoma County

GOLD / 90 Pts              Larson Family 2022 Millerick Road Chardonnay, Sonoma County

SILVER                        Bennett Valley Cellars 2021 Bin 5757 Uoaked Chardonnay, Sonoma County

SILVER                        Gloria Ferrer 2021 Vista Reserve Chardonnay, Estate Grown, Carneros

SILVER                        La Chertosa 2022 Reserve Chardonnay, Estate Grown, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Ledson 2021 Chardonnay, Adelines Vineyard, Anderson Valley

SILVER                        Thirty-Seven 2020 Estate Chardonnay, Petaluma Gap

SILVER                        Sebastiani 2020 Butterfield Station Chardonnay, North Coast

Thankful for Danyelle Blue, helping organize our competition wines!

PINK WINES / ROSÉS

DBL GOLD / 97 Pts   Benziger Family 2023 Rosé of Grenache, Frank Johnson Vyd, Dry Creek Valley

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST PINK WINE – SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       Lasseter Family 2022 “Enjoue” Rosé, Estate Grown, Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 94 Pts              Ledson 2022 Counoise Rose, Redwood Valley

GOLD / 93 Pts              Ferrari-Carano 2022 Dry Sangiovese Rosé, Sonoma County

GOLD / 92 Pts              Muscardini 2022 Rosato di Sangiovese, Santo Giordano, Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 91 Pts              La Chertosa 2022 “Eye of the Swan” Reserve Aleatico Rosé, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Glen Lyon 2022 “Blush O’ The Boar” Syrah Rosé, Estate, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Capo Isetta 2023 Rose of Pinot Noir, Carneros

PINOT NOIR

DBL GOLD / 98 Pts   DeLoach 2018 “Fleur de Lys” Estate Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST PINOT NOIR – SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024

DBL GOLD / 97 Pts       Thirty-Seven 2022 Pinot Noir, Estate Grown, Petaluma Gap

DBL GOLD / 97 Pts       Banshee 2022 Pinot Noir, Sonoma County

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       Gloria Ferrer 2021 Pinot Noir, Estate Grown, Carneros

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       En Garde 2022 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       Sonoma Creek 2022 Pinot Noir, Sonoma County

GOLD / 94 Pts              Capo Isetta 2022 Pinot Noir, Sangiacomo Vineyard, Petaluma Gap

GOLD / 94 Pts              Kukeri 2021 Pinot Noir, Petaluma Gap

GOLD / 94 Pts              Buena Vista 2021 Pinot Noir, Carneros

GOLD / 93 Pts              Bennett Valley Cellars 2021 Bin 5757 Pinot Noir, Sonoma County

GOLD / 91 Pts              Anaba 2022 Pinot Noir, Sangiacomo Vineyard, Petaluma Gap

GOLD / 90 Pts              Larson Family 2021 Millerick Road Pinot Noir, Sonoma County

SILVER                        DeLoach Vineyards 2021 Pinot Noir, Van Der Kamp Vyd, Sonoma Mountain

SILVER                        Glen Lyon 2022 Pinot Noir, Parmelee Hill Vineyardd, Sonoma Coast

SILVER                        Bennett Valley Cellars 2021 Pinot Noir, Bennett Valley

SILVER                        Larson Family 2021 Three Lab Pinot Noir, Sonoma County

SILVER                        Larson Family 2020 Pinot Noir, Sonoma County

RHONE REDS (VARIETALS & BLENDS)

DBL GOLD / 97 Pts   Ledson 2021 Grenache, Ricetti Lane, Redwood Valley

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST RHONE WINE – SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024
Celebrating with the Ledson family!

GOLD / 94 Pts              Lasseter Family 2019 “Chemin de Fer” Red Wine, Estate, Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 91 Pts              Idell Family 2019 “Compound” GSM Blend, Sonoma County

GOLD / 91 Pts              Glen Lyon 2022 Estate Syrah, Estate Grown, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Idell Family 2019 “Oscar” Syrah, Sonoma Valley

RED WINE BLENDS

DBL GOLD / 98 Pts Glen Lyon 2021 “Squire’s Toast” Red Wine, Estate Grown, Sonoma Valley

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST RED BLEND – SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Muscardini 2019 “Tesoro” Red Wine, California

GOLD / 91 Pts              Ferrari-Carano 2022 “Siena” Red Wine, Sonoma County

SILVER                        Idell Family 2018 “MB-5V” Red Wine, Oscar Vineyard, Sonoma Valley

ZINFANDEL

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts   Ledson 2019 Zinfandel, Old Vine, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST ZINFANDEL – SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024

GOLD / 92 Pts              Muscardini 2020 Zinfandel, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Moon Mountain District

GOLD / 91 Pts              Tom Mackey 2021 Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Sebastiani 2022 Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley

MERLOT & OTHER BORDEAUX VARIETALS

DBL GOLD / 97 Pts   Serres Ranch 2019 “Buchanan” Merlot, Estate Grown, Sonoma Valley

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST MERLOT & OTHER BORDEAUX REDS – SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024

DBL GOLD / 97 Pts       En Garde 2021 Petit Verdot, Moon Mountain District

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       Highway 12 2022 Cabernet Franc, Private Reserve, Sonoma Valley

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       En Garde 2021 Cabernet Franc, Knights Valley

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Ledson 2019 Reserve Merlot, Estate Vineyard, Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 92 Pts              Larson Family 2019 Malbec, Estate Grown, Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 94 Pts              Serres Ranch 2019 “Watriss” Red Wine, Estate Grown, Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 92 Pts              Benziger Family 2020 “Three Blocks” Estate Red Wine, Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 91 Pts              Larson Family 2021 Meritage Red Wine, Sonoma County

GOLD / 90 Pts              Thirty-Seven 2019 “The Hermit” Reserve Red Blend, Estate, Petaluma Gap

SILVER                        Ledson 2019 “Cepage” Red Wine, Estate Grown, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Tom Mackey 2021 “Sirius” Red Wine, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Millerick Road 2020 Meritage Red Wine, Lake County

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

DBL GOLD / 98 Pts   En Garde 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain, Napa Valley

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST CABERNET SAUVIGNON – SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024

With Csaba Szakal of EnGarde Wines.

DBL GOLD / 97 Pts       Laurel Glen 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Grown, Sonoma Mountain

DBL GOLD / 97 Pts       Laurel Glen 2019 “Counterpoint” Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Mountain

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       En Garde 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Moon Mountain District

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       Mountain Terraces 2019 Block 14 Cabernet Sauvignon, Moon Mountain

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       Muscardini 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Madrona Ridge Vyd, Moon Mountain

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       Serres Ranch 2019 “Marshall” Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Sebastiani 2019 “Cherryblock” Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 94 Pts              Sebastiani 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

GOLD / 92 Pts              Tom Mackey 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 92 Pts              Capo Isetta 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Moon Mountain District

GOLD / 92 Pts              Sonoma Creek 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

GOLD / 91 Pts              Banshee 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

GOLD / 91 Pts              Buena Vista 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

GOLD / 91 Pts              Ferrari-Carano 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

SILVER                        Tom Mackey 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Tom Mackey 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Larson Family 2019 Three Lab Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

DESSERT WINE & PORT

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts   Bee Hunter 2014 Late Harvest Riesling, Greenwood Ridge Vineyard, Anderson Valley

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST DESSERT WINE – SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024

GOLD / 90 Pts              Glen Lyon 2021 Syrah Port, Estate Grown, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Anaba 2018 Late Harvest Viognier, Sonoma Valley

6th Annual SIFF Wine Awards

It is official as of today, Sunday March 26th, where the announcement was made at the SIFF Awards Brunch! Here are the best of the best, selected by our premiere judging panel. Try some for yourself to find out why.

BEST SPARKLING WINE

Breathless NV Blanc de Blancs, Sonoma County 98 Points

BEST AROMATIC WHITE WINE

En Garde 2021 Allez Blanc, California 94 Points

BEST SAUVIGNON BLANC

Gehricke 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma Mountain 91 Points

BEST CHARDONNAY

Dutton Estate 2021 Chardonnay, Kyndall’s Reserve, Dutton Ranch, Russian River Valley 96 Points

BEST PINK WINE

Benziger 2022 Rosé, Sonoma County 97 Points

BEST PINOT NOIR

DeLoach 2019 Pinot Noir, Green Valley of RRV 97 Points

BEST RHONE WINE (Tie)

Idell Family 2018 MB-5V Red Wine, Oscar Vineyard, Sonoma Valley 98 Points

BEST RHONE WINE (Tie)

Larson Family 2019 Syrah Sonoma Coast 98 Points

BEST RED BLEND

Bartholomew Estate 2019 Press Release Red Wine, Sonoma Valley 95 Points

BEST ZINFANDEL

Buena Vista 20120 Zinfandel, Private Reserve Sonoma County 95 Points

BEST CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Sebastiani 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Cherryblock, Sonoma Valley 98 Points

BEST DESSERT WINE

Larson Family 2018 Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, Dolce, Carneros 98 Points

Announcing . . . Best of Bohemian 2022!

Some exciting news! Announcing BEST SOMMELIER Christopher Sawyer for the ninth year as well as some other nods for some of my buds.

Read about more winners at North Bay Bohemian!

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McMinnville Wine Classic Awards 2022!

As seen in this gorgeous shot by Jason E. Kaplan Photography, the wine was flowing to perfection at the wine competition for McMinnville Wine & Food Classic, coming up this March 11-13.

See the McMINNVILLE WINE CLASSIC AWARDS results here!

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A few lucky judges also went touring, THANKS to the hospitality of Erath & WillaKenzie for the spectacular visits!

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#oregonwine #winecompetition #orwines #oregonwinecountry #visitmcminnville #SawyerSomm #TheSommFiles

Summing Up the North Coast Wine Challenge For 2020

It finally happened, after an initial postponement in April, so now rounding back to the big (socially distanced) competition in July, you can read some results about The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge (NCWC) in my follow up article published by Spirited Magazine in September, and then scroll down for a full list of winners!

WINNING WINES: RESULTS FROM THE NORTH COAST WINE CHALLENGE 2020

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Photo by Kent Porter for The Press Democrat.

Wine & Spirits Top 100 Tasting: October 10th in SF!

Join me at this exclusive opportunity to taste more than 200 legendary wines and delicious foods—and find your own best of the best.  Located at City View at METREON (135 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94103) from 6:30-8:30pm.  Pair incredible wines with foods from 16 Bay Area chefs!

16 Pinot Noir Masters including wines from Calera, Cristom and
Williams Selyem to enjoy with Absinthe‘s King Salmon Rillettes.

18 Mineral-Rich Whites from Bollinger R.D. Champagne to Chardonnays from Bergström and Walter Scott for Acquerello‘s Lobster Cannoli.

Two Dozen Legendary Cabernets from Ridge Monte Bello to Corison and Diamond Creek, all delicious with the Pâté en Croûte from Verjus.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!!!