Celebrating Excellence: Winners of the 2026 50th Annual OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition Announced by Orange County Wine Society

Orange County Wine Society Announces the Winners of the 2026 50th Annual OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition

On June 9, 2026, the Orange County Wine Society (OCWS) announced the noteworthy winners of the 50th Annual OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition. This year, the competition received a remarkable 2,548 entries from various wineries, organized into 137 varietal categories and evaluated by a panel of 87 professional winemakers and winery owners.

Among the accolades, there were 20 Best of Class medals, 143 Double Gold medals, and 560 Gold medals, alongside awards for silver and bronze. The standout varietals this year included Cabernet Sauvignon with 289 entries, Chardonnay with 163, and Zinfandel with 162. Additionally, the competition also recognized unique varietals like Alvarelhao, Arneis, and Falanghina, among others. Notably, there was a resurgence of no-alcohol and low-alcohol entries in categories such as Malbec and Rosé.

Best of Class Winners

Best of Class – Red Varietals

• Premium Price Level: Riboli Family Wine Estates, 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley AVA) – 97 Points, $99.99
• High Price Level: Trentadue, 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley AVA) – 97 Points, $55
• Medium Price Level: Ursa Vineyards, 2023 Barbera (Sierra Foothills AVA) – 96 Points, $27
• Low Price Level: 1924 – Delicato Family Wines, 2024 Cabernet Sauvignon, Bourbon Barrel Aged (Lodi AVA) – 94 Points, $15

Best of Class – White Varietals

• Premium Price Level: Docmanov Vineyards & Winery, 2024 Chardonnay (Petaluma Gap AVA) – 97 Points, $50
• High Price Level: Cellar 13 Winery, 2025 Albariño (Livermore Valley AVA) – 98 Points, $31
• Medium Price Level: Angels & Cowboys – Share a Splash Wine Co, 2025 Sauvignon Blanc (Sonoma County AVA) – 96 Points, $19.99
• Low Price Level: Peirano Estate Vineyards, 2023 Chardonnay (Lodi AVA) – 94 Points, $14.99

Best of Class – Rosé Wines

• Premium Price Level: Wine Guy & Wine Gal Family Wines, 2025 “Judith Ann Rosé” (Rosé – Pinot Noir) (Russian River Valley AVA) – 95 Points, $40
• High Price Level: Eberle Winery, 2025 “Côtes-du-Rôbles Rosé” (Rosé – Rhone Varietals) (Paso Robles AVA) – 94 Points, $32
• Medium Price Level: Trentadue Winery, 2025 “Rosato di Sangiovese” (Rosé – Italian Varietals) (Alexander Valley AVA) – 97 Points, $24
• Low Price Level: Maddalena, 2025 Reserve Rosé (Rosé – Other Varietals) (Paso Robles AVA) – 94 Points, $15

Best of Class – Dessert Wines

• Premium Price Level: Truffle Pig Winery, NV Tawny Port (Cucamonga Valley AVA) – 96 Points, $70
• High Price Level: Quady Winery, 2018 “Starboard Vintage” Tawny Port (California) – 92 Points, $39.99
• Medium Price Level: Trentadue Winery, NV “Chocolate Amore” Infused Red Wine (Alexander Valley AVA) – 95 Points, $20
• Low Price Level: Gibson Wine Company, NV Cream Sherry (Fresno County) – 91 Points, $12

Best of Class – Sparkling Wines

• Premium Price Level: Steinbeck Vineyards & Winery, 2022 Blanc de Blancs (Paso Robles Estrella District AVA) – 95 Points, $65
• High Price Level: Brooklyn West Winery, 2022 “Brooklyn Blushing Bubbly” Sparkling Rosé (California) – 94 Points, $45
• Medium Price Level: The Grown Company, 2025 “Little Yellow House” Sparkling Rosé (Dry Creek Valley AVA) – 91 Points, $24
• Low Price Level: Korbel Champagne Cellars, NV Sparkling Brut Rosé (California) – 91 Points, $14

The competition also included a wine label component, and this year’s Best of Class winner for the Label Competition was awarded to Wiens Family Cellars – 2023 “Crowded” Red Wine label. For further details, visit WineCompetition.com.

OCWS has been conducting this prestigious competition for over four decades, with contributions exceeding $1 million in scholarships to California institutions with wine-related educational programs. The OC Fair Commercial Wine Competition continues to maintain its unique double-blind judging process, allowing wineries of all sizes to participate free of entry fees.

During the OC Fair, attendees will have the opportunity to taste these award-winning wines at the Wine Courtyard. This year’s OC Fair runs from July 17 through August 16.

For a complete list of medal winners from the competition, visit WineCompetition.com.

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!