[PRpond]
El Dorado County Fair invites commercial wineries from all areas to compete in the El Dorado County Fair Open Wine Competition. Thirty prestigious experts within the media, trade, hospitality, winemaking and education industries from around the country come together to judge these wines each year. We look forward to announcing the competition results at our Awards Presentation with light appetizers and wine tasting at 6:00 pm following judging. (See Wine Tasting link for tickets.)
Entry forms and wine received at Fair Office thru May 11, 2018 | Monday thru Friday 9am to 4pm
Mail forms and wine to:
El Dorado County Fair & Event Center
100 Placerville Drive
Placerville, CA 95667
Judging: Friday, May 18 at 10am (Closed to the public)
ENTRY FEE: $35 per wine by fax or mail
EARLY BIRD FEE: $30 per wine thru April 13
- Entries become the property of the El Dorado County Fair and will not be returned.
- Judges will award Double Gold, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Earth Friendly awards, as well as Best of Class and Special Awards.
- Best of Class will be awarded to classes with 10 or more entries that also include a Gold award or higher.
- All wines received will be stored in a temperature-controlled room prior to judging.
- Wine must be bottled under bond by commercial winery.
- Entries must be commercially labeled. Barrel samples are NOT allowed.
- Each entry consists of four (4) bottles of wine (750 ml) or five (5) bottles of wine (500 ml) or (375 ml).
Special Awards
Best of Show
Golden Johnny Trophies for best red, best white and best sweet
Sponsored by the El Dorado County Fair Association
Best of Class
Sponsored by the El Dorado County Fair Association
Best Rhone Awards
Best red Rhone and best white Rhone,
Sponsored by the El Dorado County Fair Association
Best Barbera Award
Sponsored by the El Dorado County Fair Association
Earth Friendly (Biodynamic and/or Organic)
Best red wine and best white wine,
sponsored by the El Dorado County Fair Association
Frank Herbert Memorial Award
A perpetual award, sponsored by the El Dorado Wine Grape Growers Association, is offered for the best Zinfandel wine made from El Dorado or Fairplay appellation Grapes.
El Dorado Wine Grape Growers Award
A special award, sponsored by the El Dorado Wine Grape Growers Association, is offered for the best wine produced from El Dorado or Fairplay Appellation grapes. This award will be presented to both the winery and the vineyard.
Best of El Dorado: Winemaking
A special award offered for the best wine produced and bottled by a winery in El Dorado County.
Best of Placer: Winemaking
A special award offered for the best wine produced and bottled by a winery in Placer County.
Best of Lodi: Winemaking
A special award offered for the best wine produced and bottled by a winery in the Lodi area.
Best of Amador: Winemaking
A special award offered for the best wine produced and bottled by a winery in Amador County.
Back Room Gold Awards
Best red wine, best Zinfandel and best white wine.
Back Room Staff Pick, a true "People's Choice" award, sponsored by the El Dorado County Fair Association.
Wine Label Competition
See Entry Guide page for rules and entry for
