2012 Commercial Wine Competition Rules
Entry Forms and Rules
Entry forms and wine received at Fair Office thru May 11, 2012 • Monday thru Friday 9am to 4pm
Mail forms and wine to:
El Dorado Fairgrounds Office
100 Placerville Drive
Placerville, CA 95667
Judging: Friday, May 18 at 10am (Not open to the public)
Awards Presentation and Barbecue (Not open to the public)
Friday, May 18 at 6pm following judging.
Tickets for BBQ available at Fair Office or on Entry Form & must be purchased by May 12.
Awards Presentation Barbeque Tickets:
Wineries submitting six (6) or more entries can purchase first two (2) BBQ tickets at $17.00 each. Additional tickets are $22.00 each. All other BBQ tickets are $22.00 each.
The El Dorado County Fair Wine Competition is open to all Commercial Wineries
ENTRY FEE: $25 PER WINE
- 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 the judging.
- Wine must be bottled under bond by commercial winery.
- Entries must be commercially labeled. Barrel samples are NOT allowed. A minimum of 25 cases must currently be for sale.
- Each entry consists of four (4) bottles of wine (750 ml), five (5) bottles of wine (500 ml), or six (5) bottles of wine (375 ml).
Special Awards
Best of Show
Golden Johnny Trophy
Sponsored by the El Dorado County Fair Association for the Best of Show Commercial Wine.
El Dorado Winery Association Awards
Best red wine and best white wine,
sponsored by the El Dorado Winery Association.
Best Rhone Award
Sponsored by the El Dorado County Fair Association
Best Barbera Award
Sponsored by the El Dorado County Fair Association
Best Reisling Award
Sponsored by the El Dorado County Fair Association
Best Sweet Award
Sponsored by the El Dorado County Fair Association
Organic (Earth Friendly)
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 commercial wine produced from El Dorado or Fairplay Appellation grapes. This award will be presented to both the winery and the vineyard.
Back Room Gold Awards
Best red wine and best white wine.
Back Room Staff Pick sponsored by the El Dorado County Fair Association
2011 Special Award Winners
| Best of Show | Terra D Oro - Montevina 2010 Sauvignon Blanc California Appellation |
| Best Red Wine of Show | Macchia 2009 Rebellious Petite Sirah Lodi Appellation |
| Best White Wine of Show | Terra D Oro Montevina 2010 Sauvignon Blanc California Appellation |
| El Dorado County Grape Growers Award Best El Dorado Wine Made with El Dorado County Grapes |
Grace Patriot Wines 2010 Pinot Gris Estate |
| Frank Herbert Award Best Zinfandel made with El Dorado County Grapes | Toogood 2008 Block Five Zinfandel
Herbert Vineyard El Dorado County Appellation |
| Best Rhone | Sierra Vista Winery 2009 Fluer de Montagne El Dorado Appellation |
| Best Barbera | Convergence Vineyards 2009 Barbera Sierra Foothills Appellation |
| Back Room Gold | |
Best Red |
Sera Fina Cellars Non Vintage Dancing Grape Red Blend Amador County Appellation |
Best White |
Shadow Ranch, 2010 Sauvignon Blanc El Dorado County Appellation |
Best Zinfandel |
Macchia 2009 Voluptuous Lodi Appellation |