We are now accepting submissions for our 12th Annual Best of the Northwest! Winners will be announced digitally to Sip Magazine’s 55,000+ readers, followers and opt-in subscribers on November 10, 2023 and featured in the 2024 Annual Collectors edition.
Tasting Notes are available upon request for each product submitted; this will give you feedback from the judging team that blindly tasted your product.
All submissions are tasted blind, by a panel of the Northwest’s top palates made up of sommeliers, wine buyers, producers, distributors, wine writers and industry professionals. The top four from each category will be awarded – Platinum, Double Gold, Gold or Silver. The larger categories will have Judges’ Picks which are the next highest-ranking beverages after the four medalists (Platinum, Double Gold, Gold and Silver). At the end of the competition readers will gain further insight into the ever-evolving Northwest wine scene and an expertly curated shopping list of what to drink for the next year and beyond.
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TO SUBMIT WINES TO THE 2023 BEST OF THE NW, PLEASE FOLLOW THE RULES BELOW:
1. Cost of entry is $75 for each individual product submission. Payment is accepted by credit card when submitting via the Enofile software or by check via mail to 1335 N. Northlake Way, Suite 101, Seattle, WA 98103. All applicable submission fees must be paid in full by Tuesday, September 12 to be entered in the judging.
2. Please submit your wine by clicking HERE or by copying the link below into your browser**). If paying with a credit card, you will pay here. The submission will not be entered in the judging unless the Enofile form is completed.
3. Send three (3) samples of each submission of 750ml or three (3) samples of each submission of 500ml or less. For dessert wines, send two (2) samples of each.
4. List the price of the product based on suggested retail price before taxes.
5. The product must be currently available through April 2024.
6. All products must be produced in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana or British Columbia with fruit grown in one of those regions/states.
7. Submission receiving deadline is Monday, September 25.
*Submission form and Credit card payment link: CLICK HERE or copy the link into your browser https://enofileonline.com/landing.aspx?competitionID=2949.
** NOTE: If you are submitting through the Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC) Consolidation Program, please reach out to them directly for submission requirements and deadlines. Click here for details.
2023 Categories
RED WINE
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Carménère
- Grenache
- Malbec
- Merlot
- Pinot Noir
- Red Blend – Bordeaux-style – Cabernet Leads (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and/or Carménère)
- Red Blend – Bordeaux-style – Merlot Leads (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and/or Carménère)
- Red Blend – Bordeaux-style – Other BDX Style grape Leads (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and/or Carménère)
- Red Blend – Proprietary (a blend that uses red varieties that originated from all over, “a kitchen sink” blend)
- Red Blend – Rhone-style (a blend of the red grapes of Rhone Valley origin; Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Counoise, etc.)
- Red Single Varietal (Dolcetto, Barbera, Gamay Noir, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, Petit Sirah, etc.)
- Sangiovese
- Syrah
- Tempranillo
WHITE WINE
- Albariño
- Chardonnay — Oaked
- Chardonnay — Unoaked
- Chenin Blanc
- Gewürztraminer
- Grüner Vetliner
- Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Gris/Grigio
- Riesling
- Roussanne
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Viognier
- White Blend – Other
- White Blend – Rhone Style (Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, etc)
- White Single Varietal (Semillon, Madeleine Angevine, Siegerebbe, Muller Thurgau, Marsanne, etc.)
SPARKLING WINE
- Traditional
- Non-Traditional Sparkling
- Pét Nat
ROSÉ
- Blends
- Single Varietal
DESSERT
- All types (including fortified/Port-style, late harvest, ice wine, etc.)
*All categories are subject to change if submissions are too low or too high. In the case of lower submissions, wine would be merged into an appropriately fitting category; for higher submissions, a category of its own would be created. Additionally, wines submitted into the wrong category will be moved to the correct category. Producers will be notified in each instance.
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SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS
1) Carefully package wine as shipping companies are not always gentle.
2) Please do not use packing peanuts or popcorn.
3) Ship all entries to the following address:
SEATTLE WINE STORAGE
ATTN: SIP MAGAZINE BEST OF WINE
9401 AURORA AVE N, SEATTLE, WA 98103
For personal delivery, Seattle Wine Storage is open daily from 12-6pm.
Sip Magazine is an award-winning publication covering the wine, beer, spirits and cider of the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
To view the complete list of winner’s from last year click here.
