#PDNCWC
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The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge Team
North Coast AVAs including Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, Marin and parts of Solano County.
2026 Entries Open!
Judging
April 7th - 8th, 2026
Early Entry Discount through March 16th.
Last date to enter March 26th, 2026
North Coast Wine & Food Festival
Dates to be announced.
Honoring the Legacy of
Our Friend and Fellow Judge
The 2026 North Coast Press Democrat Wine Challenge is dedicated - Bob Foster
Robert "Big Bob" Foster
Angels Wings
July 2025
Bob was an integral part of the competition right from the very first year. His presence was a key contributor to making this wine judging the success that it is.
Bob was the perfect judge.
Knowledgeable, respectful to his peers and kind to the wines and the winemakers who entered. Always seeing the positives and why wines should get Gold rather than Silver or Bronze.
He oozed passion and love for judging and everyone was a friend.
At this judging he will be remembered with a smile and a laugh for his classic and estatic comment he wrote for the Sweepstakes winning wine in the very first year of Press Democrat North Coast Wine Competition.
“Pour this over my Naked Body”
Bob we love you and you will be sadly missed.
5 REASONS
that benefit you to enter
1. Exclusivity
This is a regional competition that ONLY rates wines exclusively produced and bottled in Northern California's premier winegrowing region to determine which wines are considered the Best of the Best. Eligibility includes wines made in these California North Coast AVAs:
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Lake County
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Mendocino County
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Napa County
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Sonoma County
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Marin County
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Solano County
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This includes any bottled wine labeled with these AVAs as their main source of grapes and whose winery is in California.
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2. Prestigious Recognition Only Gold Medals + Are Published
Unlike other competitions, we spotlight only the top-tier wines—those earning gold medals and higher—keeping your achievement exclusive and highly marketable. Gold-winning wines are converted into 90+ point scores and receive valuable, promotional comments from expert judges. This unique distinction can significantly boost retail sales, making it especially beneficial for small wineries looking to stand out.
3. Respected Judges with Influence
The competition attracts top-tier wine professionals—retailers, distributors, restaurateurs, and wine writers—who have a keen eye for excellence. Their endorsement of winning wines can open doors to greater exposure and market opportunities.
4. Multi-Channel Promotion and Media Coverage
Winning wines are publicly announced through The Press Democrat, the North Bay Area’s leading news source. Additionally, a professionally produced winners' video featuring Chief Judge Daryl Groom and other experts is shared across social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube). Further promotional exposure comes through Wine Industry Advisors, North Bay Business Journal and other publications, virtual newsletters, and online media channels, ensuring widespread recognition.
Subscribe to our channel: https://pdne.ws/youtube
5. Public Tasting
Gold medal-winners are invited to pour and have their wines enjoyed at the North Coast Wine & Food Festival annually organized and hosted by The Press Democrat. This is a fun-filled day enjoyed by wine enthusiasts near and far who look forward to tasting the Best of the Best wines Northern California has to offer.
Alumni Judges
 Daryl Groom - Chief Wine Judge |  Debra DelFiorentino Competition Director |  Bob Foster - Assistant Editor of the California Grapevine Wine Newsletter |  In Honor of Bill Hayes Wine Category Manager, BevMo! | US West Coast |  Alexandria Sarovich Executive Wine Director Little Saint Healdsburg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Barry Herbst Wine Director, Bottle Barn Liquors |  Christopher Sawyer Wine writer and "Sommelier to the Stars" |  Dan Berger Wine Journalist |  Heidi Barrett Winemaker, Barrett & Barrett Wines | Napa Valley, CA |  Debbie Zachereas Wine Expert, International Wine Judge |
 Jennifer Kelly President, Sales and Marketing Luxury Wine Partners |  Jesse Katz Winemaker, Aperture and Devil Vineyards |  Kerry Damskey Winemaker, Consultant, Owner- Ter-ior Artisan Wines |  Larry Van Aalst Radio Host of "The Sonoma Wine Report", Sommelier, Equus Restaurant |  Lee Morse Assistant Winemaker Flowers Winery |
 Nick Goldschmidt Winemaker and Consultant, Goldschmidt Vineyards |  Mick Schroeter Winemaking Director, Sonoma-Cutrer |  Dr. Elizabeth "Liz" Thach, MW, Professor of Wine, Professor of Management, Author, |  Elsie Wolfe Contributor, Connect The Dots Collective | Napa, CA |  Peg Melnik Wine Critic & Wine Writer & Wine Educator |
 Wine & Spirits Broadcast Journalist, Educator, Consultant, Writer |  Tim Bell Director of Winemaking, Dry Creek Vineyard |  Traci Dutton Sommelier, Manager - Public Beverages/Wine Studies, CIA |  Amanda Johnson Food and Beverage Manager at the Fountaingrove Club |  Laura Sanfilippo - Certified Sommelier, Wine Buyer and Owner of Lo & Behold Bar + Kitchen in Healdsburg, CA |
 Michael Beaulac Director of Winemaking, , Foley Family Wines |  Kris Ronald Anderson Wine Buyer Wilibees Wines & Spirits |  Sarah Doyle Wine Writer / Press Democrat |  Ellen Landis CS, CSW |  Chris Munsell Director of Winemaking, E. & J. Gallo Winery |
 Anthony Viloria Hospitality & Beverage Director Stark Reality Restaurants |  William Guadagni Winemaker - Orsi Family Vineyards |  Josh Kirchhoff Wine & Spirits Coordinator Oliver's Market |  Frank Dusak Director of Winemaking Naked Wines |  Richard Hummell Director of Food & Beverage Montage Healdsburg |
 Tom Capo Wine Writer |  Tina Caputo Multimedia Journalist and Editor |  Matt Duffy Owner / Winemaker of Vaughn Duffy Wines and Consulting Winemaker – |  Lindsey Rich - Winemaker L. Rich Wines & Naked Wines |  Miro Tcholakov Winemaker, proprietor, salesman, cellar rat - Miro Cellars & Trentadue Winery |
 Paul Coker Director of Beverage Montage Resort Healdsburg. |  Co-owner Palmerir | Napa, CA. / Wine Consultant |  Elliot Herrod Maitre'D and sommelier at Troubadour’s prix fixe meal, Le Dîner. |  Harry Bryan General Manager at Valette restaurant | Healdsburg, CA |  Erik Olsen Chief Winemaker, Constellation Wines |
 Michael Jordan Director of Global Key Accounts at Jackson Family Wines |  Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET President & Founder, Charles Communications Associates San Francisco |  Scot Covington Winemaker, Trione Vineyards and Winery, Geyserville, CA |  Laura Ness Food and Wine Writer |  Corey Beck Director of Winemaking, Francis Ford Coppola Winery |
 Spreti Valente Certified Sommelier - Wine Buyer - Professional Wine Judge, Consultant & Educator |  Linda Murphy Contributing Writer, Sonoma Magazine |  Hady Kahale Head of Wine Buying, Naked Wines US – Wine consultant and winemaker - Napa, CA |  Philip Levesque Wine Consultant Oakville Grocery, Healdsburg |  Ross Reedy Winemaker, Truett Hurst & VML Winery | Sonoma County, CA |
 Chelsea Barrett Winemaker | Calistoga, CA |  Leslie Sbrocco Author, TV Host, Consultant, Wine Lover |  Erin Miller Wine Director - Dry Creek Kitchen - Head of Best of Award of Excellence Wine List - Wine Spectator - |  Randy Ullom Winemaster, Kendall Jackson |  Wilfred Wong, Chief Storyteller, Wine.com |
 Greg Urmini |  Jon McCarthy WINE + BEVERAGE DIRECTOR |  Jasper Russo Director of Wine Education, Sales & Marketing, Sigel's Fine Wines and Great Spirits |  Bekah Schloss Wine Wall Supervisor, The Matheson |  Pedra Polakovicova Beverage Manager-Sommelier - Montage Healdsburg |
 Fred Dame Master Sommelier & VP of Prestige Accounts, American Wine & Spirits |  Tony Lombardi Lombardi Wines/Lombardi Marketing Founder/Proprietor |  Nicola Pellacani Assistant Winemaker at Saintsbury Winery |  Advanced Sommelier, CMS-A, Folia restaurant and Appellation hotel |  Neil Mechanic Sommeier Purchasing & Logistics Manager SommSelect, Napa |
ALUMNI ASSOCIATE JUDGES
The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge strives to be an educational platform for young wine industry professionals growing in their careers. Associate Judges are nominated by their peers and attend the judging process,
each assigned a panel with our highly experienced wine judges. They get to learn and network with winemakers,
sommeliers, media people and other seasoned wine industry professionals.
Winemaker
Student, UC Davis | Winemaking Certificate Program
Tasting Room Manager - LIOCO
Lead Cellarman - Trione Vineyards & Winery
Tasting Room Manager Williamson Wines - Healdsburg, California
Wine Consultant, TV & Radio Personality | Sonoma County, CA
Student, Cal Poly | San Luis Obispo, CA
Winemaker, Electric Sky Wine
WINEMAKER, Fearless Wines
Assistant Winemaker, Clos du Bois | Geyserville, CA
Student of Enology, Fresno State University | Fresno CA
Brewer and Enology Student | Seattle, WA
Wine Ambassador | MacRostie Winery, Healdsburg, CA
GET IN TOUCH
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