The California State Fair is proud to announce the results of the 2025 Home Wine Competition. With nearly 700 entries submitted from across the state, this annual event remains committed to recognizing the incredible talent of amateur winemakers and helping them grow through constructive feedback and statewide exposure.
“The competition gives home winemakers the opportunity to have their wines professionally judged, receive objective feedback, and gain well-deserved recognition for their talent, skill, dedication, and success,” said Tom Martinez, CEO of Cal Expo and the California State Fair.
2025 Best of Show Winners
Best of Show White: Demetrise Nylk – 2024 Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier Varietal Blend
Best of Show Red: Paul Conrado – 2022 Colleen’s Reserve, Pinot Noir
Best of Show Sweet & Other Wine: Thad & Heather Rodgers – 2017 Petite Sirah Port
Returning for his ninth year as Chief Judge, Rick Kushman, New York Times bestselling author, award-winning journalist, and veteran wine expert led the judging with his signature focus on education and encouragement for amateur vintners.
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“Our goal is to give California’s home winemakers both honest evaluations from professionals and specific, useful advice about what they’re doing right and what they might improve,” said Rick Kushman, Chief Judge. “Every year, the quality goes up. That’s a tribute to the dedication of the winemakers and we hope our feedback helps them continue to grow.”
Under Kushman’s direction, 42 expert judges across 14 panels evaluated 693 wines submitted by 201 home winemakers. Judging professionals included sommeliers, university professors, and commercial winemakers. Scott Harvey, of Scott Harvey Wines, served as Technical Judge, bringing additional expertise to the process.
The judging, which was held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, resulted in the awarding of 3 Best of Show honors, 21 Best of Class awards, 68 Double Gold medals, 93 Gold medals, 303 Silver medals, and 181 Bronze medals.
The competition is hosted in partnership with the Sacramento Home Winemakers, an organization that has supported the art and science of home winemaking for over five decades.
“We are proud to assist in coordinating this important competition,” said Donna Bettencourt, Executive Board Member of Sacramento Home Winemakers. “It’s not enough to hear praise from friends and family, but this event offers impartial, professional evaluation from respected winemakers, educators, and sommeliers statewide.”
A complete list of award winners is available HERE.
The California State Fair runs from July 11 to July 27 at the Cal Expo fairgrounds. Gates open at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and at 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday.
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About the California State Fair
The California State Fair is an international award-winning fair, receiving top honors at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions out of more than 1,100 fairs world-wide. The California State Fair is dedicated as a place to celebrate the best the state has to offer in agriculture, technology, and the diversity of its people, traditions, and trends that shape the Golden State’s future.