2016 British Columbia Best of Varietal Awards

2016 British Columbia Best of Varietal Wine Competition

Rules and Regulations

Welcome to the 2016 British Columbia Best of Varietal Awards sponsored by Grant Thornton, Farm Credit Canada, TricorBraun and ContainerWorld. This competition recognizes the top British Columbia Varietal wines across 26 different categories. Experienced and certified wine judges from the trade - restaurants and licensed wine stores - and from the wine media will select the best wine in each varietal category and award gold and silver medals to the other winners.  The number of medals awarded will be based on the number of wines entered in each category.  The British Columbia Best of Varietal Wine Competition features a unique judging process that allows each panel of judges to evaluate all of the wines in any given category allowing a direct comparison for selecting the best wines. The judges for the 2016 Best of Varietal Awards will be announced once we have finalized their attendance.

View Winners (online) »    View Winners (pdf) »

2016 BC Best of Varietal Award Judges:

•  James Addington – Food & Beverage Manager, Delta Grand Resort, Kelowna
•  Shelley Boettcher – Freelance Writer & Editor, Calgary
•  Dennis Dwernychuk – Senior Product Consultant, BC Liquor Stores, Kelowna
•  Mark Filatow - Executive Chef and Owner, Waterfront Wines, Kelowna
•  Simon Gillett - Sommelier, Watermark Beach Resort, Osoyoos
•  Alistair Veen - Sommelier, Chef, and Co-Owner, Tap Restaurant
•  Geoff Last – General Manager, Bin 905, Calgary
•  Martin Lewis – Co-owner, Bad Tattoo Brewing, Penticton
•  Jim Martin – Senior Product Consultant, Metro Liquor Group, Kelowna
•  Samantha Rahn – Sommelier, Araxi, Whistler
•  Audrey Surrao – Co-owner, Raudz Regional Table, Kelowna
•  Mark Taylor – Owner & Sommelier, Siena Restaurant, Vancouver
•  Troy Townsin – Author & CBC Radio Wine Columnist, Victoria
•  Matt Wentzell – Owner & Sommelier at Experience Wine Tours, Kelowna
•  Gloria Wheeler – Sommelier, Hotel Eldorado, Kelowna

2016 Best of Varietal Awards Wine Categories:

1.            Chardonnay/ Unoaked Chardonnay

2.            Gewürztraminer

3.            Pinot Gris

4.            Riesling

5.            Pinot Blanc

6.            Viognier

7.            White Blend

8.            Other Single White Varieties

9.            Sauvignon Blanc

10.          Rose/Blush

11.          Fruit Wines & Honey wines

12.          Late Harvest/Dessert/Port Style

13.          Icewine

14.          Sparkling

15.          Pinot Noir

16.          Merlot

17.          Cabernet Franc

18.          Cabernet Sauvignon

19.          Shiraz

20.          Hybrid Single Varieties

21.          Other Single Red varieties

22.          Red Meritage Blends Cabernet dominated

23.          Red Meritage Blends Merlot dominated

24.          Syrah based blends (minimum of 20% Syrah)

25.          Hybrid Blends

26.          Red Blends Other

Note: There must be 10 entries for a Varietal category to be recognized.  If there are fewer than 10 entries, wineries will be notified and given the option of withdrawing the entry or entering in a related category.

Eligibility Requirements for Entry

1. Must be a winery licensed to operate within the Province of British Columbia.
2. The wine is labeled, bottled and has a UPC number.
3. Wines must have an inventory of 25 cases at the time of entry and 2 cases at the start of the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival.
4. Wines entered must be made from 100% British Columbia grown grapes or 100% British Columbia grown fruit.
5. There are no restrictions on the vintage that can be entered.
6. Previous Best of Varietal award winning wines of the same vintage may not be entered.

Fees and Entry Deadlines

1. The 2016 Best of Variety competition will be held the week of April 4th to 7th before the start of the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival.
2. All entry forms and payments are to be completed online at www.thewinefestivals.com by Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016.
3. The entry fee for Member Wineries of the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society in good standing is $89.00 + GST for each wine entered. 
4. The entry fee for wineries who are not a Member Winery of the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society is $99.00 + GST for each wine entered.
5. No entries will be allowed without full payment.

Location and Deadlines for Wine Delivery

1. Two (2) bottles for each wine entered must be delivered on either Monday, April 4th or Tuesday, April 5th to Marjorie King at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, 273 Power Street, Penticton between the hours of 9:00am and 4:00pm.
2. If you are unable to deliver the wine during these delivery days please contact Marjorie King at [email protected]before April 1st.
3. If you are shipping your wines, please address the shipment to:

The Okanagan Wine Festivals Society

British Columbia Best of Varietal Awards

Penticton Trade and Convention Centre

273 Power St, Penticton BC, V2A 7K9

Please time your shipment for deliver on April 4th or 5th.