2021 Competition Announcement

Sept. 13, 2021

Dear Wine Company:

Dan Berger’s International Wine Competition, this year celebrating 40 consecutive years as one of the country’s top judgings, will resume in December 2021.

The date for this event, Dec. 16, allows wineries and importers of recently bottled wines to have them reviewed earlier than ever by a panel of internationally experienced judges, many of them winemakers. 

All COVID-19 precautions are being taken. 

As in years past, the entry fee is $75 per entry (four bottles constitute an entry), but discounts are available. There is an early bird $5 per entry discount for all entry forms submitted before Oct. 15. And another $5 discount for on-line entries. 

Wines must arrive before Dec. 10.

Founded in 1982 by one of the nation’s most respected wine columnists, wine journalist Dan Berger, the name and venue were changed in 2016. It was formerly called the Riverside International and had for decades been conducted in May.

The competition is operated by Debra Del Fiorentino and an expert crew of back-room professionals. It will be staged at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.

Judges include some of the nation’s top wine makers, wine writers, and sommeliers. The event’s carefully written rules – based on those created 50 years ago by Prof. Maynard Amerine at UC Davis — are scientifically valid. Judges evaluate with an eye to regional identity, using appellations to benefit both wineries and consumers.

The DBIWC offers a state-of-the-art online database that is infinitely sortable and is accessible to wineries and consumers. 

The DBIWC also offers free bottle stickers, free table tents, free shelf talkers, a free link to winery websites, and free medal certificates along with ribboned medallions, which will be mailed to winners. The event also awards a dozen trophies for special winery achievements.

For paper entries, please use the following class list for category numbers: https://www.dbiwc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/DBI-2019-ClassList.pdf

For questions, call Dan at 707-479-9463.