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After 34 years of conducting one of the nation’s most respected wine competitions, wine columnist/ journalist Dan Berger has changed the name of his former Riverside International Wine Competition.
2025 Competition
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Dec. 23, 2025
Santa Rosa, Calif. – Washington’s Maryhill Winery, located on the Columbia River Gorge, was named Winery of the Year at the 2025 Dan Berger’s International Wine Competition, which completed its 44th consecutive year with a judging at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on Dec. 11.
Celebrating 25 years since it opened under owners Craig and Vicki Leuthold, Maryhill has developed a strong reputation for wines of superb balance. Each of winemaker Richard Batchelor’s wines display that character. Maryhill won 75 medals(!) at the event including 14 golds or triple golds.
Maryhill (https://www.maryhillwinery.com) won the David Stevens Memorial Trophy for its victory as Winery of the Year. It is named after one of California’s most beloved winemakers. Complete results of the competition are available on our website, https://dbiwc.com/results/wine.
The Small Winery of the year award at this year’s DBIWC went to Pennyroyal Farm of Anderson Valley in
Mendocino. It earned medals for all 11 wines it entered, including three triple gold medals, and eight silvers. Wines were made by winemaker Sarah Cahn Bennett. Pennyroyal (https://www.pennyroyalfarm.com) is also the home of one of the state’s finest dairies, which makes award-winning cheeses.
The DBIWC Terroir Award, given to the winery for the best use of subregional grapes, went to Jeff Runquist Wines for earning 36 awards out of 37 entries. Runquist, one of the state’s finest winemakers, had won six of the previous eight “Winery of the Year” awards. https://www.jeffrunquistwines.com
Value Winery of the Year again was won by Gallo’s Barefoot brand. Barefoot earned 36 awards for wines almost all of which sell for less than $10. https://www.barefootwine.com
The Best of Show sparkling wine was 2022 Pennyroyal Blanc de Blanc, Anderson Valley, ($45).
The Best of Show rosé was 2024 Rodney Strong Rosé of Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, ($25). https://www.rodneystrong.com
The Best of Show dessert wine went to 2023 Jeff Runquist “Sisney,” an 80% Touriga blend similar to Port, ($36).
The Best of Show white wine was 2024 Navarro Vineyards Grüner Veltliner, Anderson Valley ($26).
https://www.navarrowine.com/main.php
And the Best of Show red wine was 2021 Carol Shelton Carignane, “Wireless,” Alexander Valley ($32).
https://www.carolshelton.com
There were six International Riesling Foundation awards for the best Rieslings.
Best Dry Riesling was a tie between 2024 Maryhill “Riesling Classic,” Columbia Valley ($22) and 2024 Fox Run Vineyards 2024 Dry Riesling, Finger Lakes, ($18).
Best Medium-Dry Riesling was a tie between 2024 Sheldrake Point Riesling, Finger Lakes ($22),
https://www.sheldrakepoint.com, and 2024 Fox Run Semi-Dry Riesling, Finger Lakes, ($15), https://www.foxrunvineyards.com.
Best Medium-Sweet Riesling was NV Gervasi Riesling, American, “Piove Raining,” ($27). The winery and resort are located in Canton, Ohio. https://gervasivineyard.com
Best Sweet Riesling 2024 Sheldrake Point Riesling Ice Wine, Finger Lakes ($60).
Eighteen professional judges, most of them winemakers, industry professionals, or wine journalists, judged the event. Wine columnist Dan Berger has staged this competition since 1982. It was coordinated by Debra del Fiorentino using an expert crew of back-room professionals.
To see complete results, go on the DBI site, https://www.dbiwc.com. The exclusive database is infinitely
sortable and easy to use. All wineries have several print options for which there is no charge.
Questions? Call Dan at 707-479-9463.