Celebrating Diversity: Winners of the Wine Competition Showcase Unique Talents

The 2025 Sunset Wine Competition showcased a broad array of varietals and their origins, highlighting the increasing diversity in the wine industry. The top honors were awarded to the 2024 Brockmeyer Family Wines Albariño from Walla Walla, WA, which secured the title of Best White, surpassing strong contenders like a 2024 Chenin Blanc from Husch in the Anderson Valley and a vibrant 2024 Torrentes from Wise Villa Wines in Lincoln, CA.

In the Rosé category, the juicy 2024 Folded Hills Grenache from Santa Ynez was recognized, beating out a delightful 2024 rosé of Pinot Noir from King Estate in Willamette Valley, OR. Meanwhile, the coveted Best Red and Best of Show went to the 2022 Pallas Blend from Imagery Estate in Cloverdale, CA. Other notable reds included the 2022 Gibbs Cabernet Franc from Napa and the 2021 Barrister Petit Verdot from Columbia Valley.

From the local scene, Alamitos Vineyards in San Jose’s Almaden Valley celebrated its success with the 2024 "Laura’s Love" Rosé, which has garnered gold medals from three competitions, including the Experience Rosé Competition and the 2025 International Women’s Wine Competition. This unique blend, crafted by winemaker George Troquato, features estate-grown Syrah, Touriga Nacional, and alvarinho sourced from Santa Barbara County. Troquato believes this blend "pushes the boundaries of traditional winemaking," offering a flavor profile reminiscent of rose petals, nectarines, and lime.

Additionally, the competition promoted upcoming events, such as the Taste of The Mountains, offering tastings from 15 top Santa Cruz Mountains wineries, paired with light bites at the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay on July 24. For lovers of high-quality wines, the spotlight also turned to the 2021 I. Brand Fellom Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, recently awarded 98 points by Jeb Dunnuck. This wine, sourced from old-vine blocks near Cupertino, exemplifies the finesse and power that the region is known for.

Ridge Vineyards is also expanding its presence with a new tasting room opening in Paso Robles, where wine lovers can enjoy the vibrant culture and offerings of the region.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!