Entry Information
Entering
A complete entry is comprised of six (6) 750ml or nine (9) 375ml bottles. Distilled spirits entries such as brandy require three (3) 750ml or five (5) 375ml bottles. Grape varieties, residual sugar, appellation, vineyard designation, proprietary names, retail price and alcohol level must be listed on the entry form with each entry. Please fill out the entry form completely and accurately. The winery's telephone number, email address and contact person are important. Winners will be notified shortly after the end of the competition by regular U.S. mail. Results also will be posted on the website at www.montereywinecompetition.com.
IMPORTANT: Be sure to enter each wine in the proper category. If a category does not exist for your wine, leave the category field blank and the Director will assign the wine to the correct category or create a new category, if necessary, using the varietal composition and residual sugar level as a guide.
Wines entered in the wrong category will be moved to the correct category by the Director. Enter the wine's name as it appears on the label. The wine's label will determine how the wine is identified to consumers and industry when awards are announced.
Entry Fees
Early Bird entry fee is $65 per entry for entries received before January 24, 2020. The fee for wines entered after January 24th is $70 per entry. Final deadline is February 14, 2020 Make checks payable to Salinas Valley Fair or complete and submit our credit card authorization form or enter online at www.enofileonline.com. Mail entry form and fees to: Salinas Valley Fair, 625 Division Street, King City, CA 93930. Please direct any questions to Lauren Hamilton at 831-385-3243, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Rich Cook, Competition Director at 760-522-3167, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..Entering Online
You can enter your wines and pay your fees directly through enofileonline.com - if you are a first time user of enofile, click on “REGISTER” in the upper right area of the page at enofileonline.com to create a profile. Once you’re signed in, select Monterey International Wine Competition and enter your wines. If you have trouble, please contact Director Rich Cook for assistance.
What is it that makes Monterey unique among competitions and worthy of your consideration? This year we will again be including scores on all wines rated Gold or above for use in your marketing strategy. I've found in my discussions with wineries that awards are a useful tool in the tasting room and on shelf talkers, but that the power of a two-digit score in today's age of social media is of significant value to wineries that have implemented such strategies into their overall marketing plan. We're offering both, so you can use whatever combination works best for you. In addition, are pleased to partner with the internationally renowned website winereviewonline.com – I personally will review all of our Platinum Award winners with a detailed tasting note that will run on their website as well as ours. WineReviewOnline’s reviews are read by thousands of wine buyers each week.
While the event is called a competition, we are very careful to ensure that wines are evaluated in their own context - in other words, we're not out to say that this particular wine is "better" than that particular wine. It is our sincere desire to celebrate high quality wines of all styles, from all regions of the world.
Our judges are experienced tasters that have significant experience in the industry, running the gamut from marketing consultants that represent large wine portfolios to Master Sommeliers. Judges will be added as we approach the competition - check our website for the most current list. Additionally, COVID-19 protocols have given us a window into how to better ensure that each wine gets to stand on its own merits, and we will implement those practices in 2021. Our special awards will include the Best of Monterey County, Wine of the Year, Winery of the Year and some unique Director's Awards. In addition, award winners will be poured at our Grand Tasting at the Salinas Valley Fair in May, COVID 19 protocols permitting. Check in at montereywinecompetition.com for more details on this as the competition approaches.
Thank you for taking the time to consider the Monterey International Wine Competition - we hope that it's a fit for your marketing strategy, and we look forward to celebrating your winemaking achievements!
Cheers!
Rich Cook, Director & Chief Judge
2020 Awards
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2020 Winners
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2019 Winners
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2018 Winners
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2017 Winners
Best Of Monterey
