Tag Archives: AFWC

Awards, Charity, Competition, Event, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Wine

AFWC: The Results Are IN!

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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)

Awards, Charity, Competition, Event, Food, Judging, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Wine

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

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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.

Competition, Event, Food, Judging, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Wine

AFWC’s “One Thousand Bottles” -January 14th!

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Join me and the judging team of American Fine Wine Competition in Miami at the 17th Annual AFWC “ONE THOUSAND BOTTLES” event – to taste over 700 exceptional wines from small, boutique, family-run wineries across the US, including California, Ohio, Washington, New York, Colorado, Michigan, Virginia, and Oregon, while enjoying incredible food from local restaurants!

  • Meet award-winning winemakers pouring their wines
  • Win fabulous wine baskets at the raffle
  • Bid on exclusive private wine tasting experiences
  • Get 1000 Bottles TICKETS while they last!


Sunday, January 14th, from 6:30-9:00 PM FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management,
3000 NE 151st Street, North Miami, FL 33181

All proceeds benefit the Joel Feigenheimer Endowment Fund, supporting scholarships in the hospitality industry and End Childhood Hunger.

Special thanks to our incredible partners: Smart Source Marketing, Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at FIU, Two Men & a Truck, Advanced Roofing, VENU Magazine, City & Shore Magazine, South Florida Business Journal, FPL, Coravin, RC Music Group, Chef & Sommelier, Rod Coleman, Esq. & Associates, Preiser Key, Cheney Brothers, Restaurant Placement Group, A Flair For Fudge, The CrepeMaker, Island Fusion, Fogo de Chao Miami Beach, Royal India, and Cristina’s Family Bakery.