Every year, AFWC presents Fifty Shades of Pink, as a follow-up fundraising event to THE Rosé Competition. It is a fantastic opportunity to sip incredible wine, taste fabulous food, listen to cool sounds, and help raise funds for important causes.
The 2026 Fifty Shades of Pink is open to the public and will take place on Sunday, May 17th, at the Fort Lauderdale Women’s Club: A late-afternoon-into-the-evening fun. Pouring more than 150 beautiful rosé wines and dozens of award-winning wines from The Invitational – amazing reds & whites – plus wineries will be there pouring other wines. Local restaurants are also invited to showcase their creations. Get your TICKETS!
When your winery registers for THE Rosé Competition, your wines will also be shared at this benefit event, which attracts hundreds of business professionals: An opportunity to showcase wines and meet these enthusiastic attendees. Wineries register HERE!
The American Fine Wine Competition announces THE Rosé Competition 2026, the 13th edition, taking place at the Fort Lauderdale Women’s Club on May 16, 2026.
REGISTER YOUR WINES HERE!The fee is $70.00 per wine entered. Registered wines will be accepted through May 1st, 2026. 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” public fundraising event (info coming soon), and one signed bottle for our charity auction.
Why Enter THE Rosé Competition? THE Rosé Competition is International and features world-renowned judges from across the country who are professionals in the wine industry: They include chefs, sommeliers, retailers, writers, retailers & educators.
Winning medals can help boost sales and brand awareness.
Give your brand pride, prestige and bragging rights.
Gain recognition with consumers, distributors and retailers.
Wines awarded medals receive a beautiful Medal/Ribbon to display.
Digital medals are provided for promotions, online marketing, and social media.
Medals help you sell more wine!
We promote the results through our media partners and at our trade and consumer tasting events throughout the year. Complete results are listed on the AFWC website.
Thank you and we look forward to sharing your wines! Shari & Chris
The AFWC’s THE Rosé Competition 2025, which benefits multiple charities, is thrilled to announce the outcome of its twelfth annual event, hosted along with The Fort Lauderdale Women’s Club in South Florida on Saturday, May 31st, 2025. It was a special year welcoming Chris Sawyer to the team, and adding new categories due to the abundance of entries. (Scroll down for full results!)
Outstanding Winners in THE Rosé Competition
The prestigious organization, The American Fine Wine Competition, which encompasses both THE Rosé Competition and The Invitational (held in January), has crowned the 2019 Gloria Ferrer Cuvee Rosé, Methode Champenois, as the Best of Show Sparkling ($94). Located in Carneros (Sonoma), California, the wine is described by the judges as complex and elegant, with aromas of cranberries, strawberry, and rhubarb pie; apples, cherries and some spice. It’s beautifully balanced and just delicious!
In the Dry Rosé category, the prestigious Best of Show title was bestowed upon V. Sattui Rosato di Pinot Noir, priced at $37. Last year V. Sattui earned Best of Show for their Sparkling Rose! This winery is worth paying attention to! The judges were captivated by their juicy watermelon flavors and vibrant strawberries; and a sophisticated profile that culminates in a long, gratifying finish.
Moving to the Off Dry Rosé category, the highest accolade was secured by one of Sonoma’s most beautiful wineries, Deerfield Ranch. Their Checkerbloom Rosé, made from organic Syrah grapes, at $28 impressed the judges! They were enchanted by the lusciousness and vibrant flavors. A slightly sweet wine that should be enjoyed year-round.
A new category was introduced by Chris Sawyer this year called “Super Blend”, the blend of the winner was Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Petite Sirah, Black Muscat, Carignan and Syrah. The winner was Banshee with 97 points. Banshee is located in Sonoma and produces this magnificent wine plus multiple other varietals.
Congratulations to these exceptional Rosé wines and all the winners!
This year, the event “Fifty Shades of Pink” followed THE Rosé Competition 2025 and was held on June 1st, also at the Ft. Lauderdale Women’s Club. Attended by more than 150 guests, it proved to be a huge success for the charities as well as for the wineries. The event benefited both the Ft. Lauderdale Women’s Club and the Joel Feigenheimer Endowment Fund. It featured scores of magnificent award-winning Rosé wines plus fine red and white wines from AFWC’s The Invitational. Since its inception, AFWC has donated more than $1,250,000 to charity.
Get ready to sip, swirl, and celebrate –Fifty Shades of Pink is back—bigger, bolder, and bursting with flavor!
Join us Sunday June 1st, from 4–7 PM, at the beautiful Fort Lauderdale Woman’s Club (20 South Andrews Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301) for an unforgettable afternoon of Rosé, Red & White Wines, Tasty Bites, Music & Auction Festivities
As do all AFWC events, a charity benefits, this will benefit the Joel Feigenheiner Endowment Fund, which offers scholarships for students in need.
With hundreds of award winning wines to taste & some wineries pouring, local restaurants showcasing their creations, and a cause worth toasting, this is the summer kickoff you don’t want to miss – get your TICKETS while they last!
Time to THINK PINK! Having fun chatting about the joys of tasting pink wines with my pal Gary Saperstein of Out In The Vineyard, who will be hosting the 5th Annual Pink Sonoma Rosé Festivalat Viansa Winery in Sonoma from 12-3 PM this Sunday, May 4th!
Gary and I discuss the great Pour+Explore Rosé & Aromatic White Wine tasting that I co-hosted with SCV in April, as well as the fabulous pink Pet Nat produced by Breaking Bread Winery and a sensational pink gem from Anaba Wines that will be featured at this upcoming event.
Get your TICKETS to the Pink Sonoma Rosé Festival!
THE Rosé Competition 2025 will be taking place on May 31st in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for its 12th edition!
Featuring world-renowned judges who are professionals in the wine industry. They include chefs, sommeliers, retailers, writers and educators
* Winning medals can help boost sales and brand awareness.
* Give your brand pride, prestige and bragging rights.
* Gain recognition with consumers, distributors and retailers.
* Wines awarded medals receive a beautiful Medal/Ribbon to display.
* Digital medals are provided for promotions, online marketing, and social media.
* Medals help you sell more wine
REGISTER HERE! The fee is $70.00 per wine entered. Both International and domestic rosé wines are invited to participate: Including 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 and one signed bottle for our charity auction.) CHEERS! Chris & Shari
More tasty talk about Aromatic Whites and Rosé Wine Delights and the exciting Pour+Explore wine event that my special guest Jamie Benziger of Imagery Estate Winery, Sonoma County Vintners and myself will be part of next Thursday, April 17 from 5:30-7:30 PM at Balletto Vineyards near Santa Rosa.
Get your TICKETS for this celebratory SCV-style kickoff to Spring and Summer wines being poured by 30 + wineries that I helped hand select to participate. SEE YOU THERE!~Chris
THE VARIETAL SHOW gets in depth with Cristina Torres of Marimar Estate to discuss their fantastic Spanish varietals that will be featured at Pour+Explore Rosés & Aromatic Whites, being hosted by myself and Sonoma County Vintners, next Thursday, April 17 from 5:30-7:30 PM at Balletto Vineyards.
Join us for this celebratory SCV-style kickoff to Spring and summer wines being poured by 30 + wineries I helped hand selected to be part of this amazing event! Get your TICKETS while you can.
Sneak peek of our next Pour + Explore Rosés & Aromatic Whites tasting produced by the Sonoma County Vintners and me on Thursday, April 17, 5:30-7:30pm at Balletto Vineyards, along with 35 other all-star wineries!
Enjoy this fun discussion with the superstar winemaking duo Anthony Beckman & Andre Swart of Balletto Vineyards and the world-class grapes used to make the Rose, Pinot Gris & Gewurztraminer that the winery will be pouring at this fabulous event focused on Aromatic Whites & Rose Delights!
Get your TICKETS now! $65.00 per person, plus tax and a small service fee. See you there, Chris & SCV
Join Sonoma County Vintners and Sawyer Somm for this exclusive wine tasting event at Balletto Vineyards, featuring a special selection of Rosés & Aromatic Whites from over 30 wineries across Sonoma County! The evening festivities will be hosted in The Reserve Room, surrounded by estate vineyards, gorgeous views of the Backyard Gardens and stunning West County sunsets.
Celebrate springtime with a walk-around tasting of a curated selection of wines from each vintner, and enjoy light bites of cheeses and charcuterie. TICKETS available now!
Featured Sonoma County producers include Balletto Vineyards, Banshee Wines, Benziger Family Winery, Bricoleur Vineyards, Chalk Hill Estate, Chenoweth Vineyards, Comstock Wines, DaVero Farms & Winery, Davis Bynum, Dry Creek Vineyard, Ferrari-Carano, Foley Sonoma, GC Lurton Vineyards, Hamel Family Wines, Imagery Estate Winery, Inman Family Wines, Knights Bridge Winery, Kokomo Wines, Lasseter Family Winery, Laurel Glen Vineyard, MacLaren, Marimar Estate Vineyards & Winery, Mascarin Family Wines, Meadowcroft Wines, Medlock Ames, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Roth Estate, Senses Wines, Solo Nostro, The Setting Wines, Three Sticks Wines, Valette Wines, Zialena and more!
