Skilled Judges Prepare for the 15th Anniversary San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
15th Annual San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Kicks Off at the Cloverdale Citrus Fair

(San Francisco, December 10, 2014)—  The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition has been setting the standard for wine for the past 15 years. Each year, renowned judges from trade, media, education and hospitality industries, come together to determine and award wines that are truly exceptional. A panel of over 60  judges from across the country will bring their knowledge, passion and trained palates to the table to determine this year’s winners of each individual category.

Year after year, the competition consistently breaks wine entry records because wineries see the intrinsic value that a “San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Award Winner” title can bring, including increased sales and brand recognition. The competition changes the status of thousands of wines and showcases many of the winners at the Public Tasting on Feb. 14th at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco.

“At this prestigious, well run national competition that amasses more than 5,000 entries, a wide range of stimulating wines are evaluated.” said Ellen Landis, wine journalist and judge for the 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. “Boutique wineries, mid-sized properties and large brand producers collectively vie for the Golden prize, and award winners reap rewards for years.”

The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (SFCWC), the largest competition of American Wines in the World, is a platform that combines generations of wine connoisseurs with both mature and newer pallets.

Held over four days, the judging will begin January 6 and end January 9 with the sweepstakes, where the judges will determine the best of the best, taking place at the Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds in Sonoma County, CA.

Once these discerning judges select their choices of silver, gold and double gold wines, a select group of winners is chosen to participate in the annual Public Tasting that will take place on Feb. 14th in San Francisco.  This popular event will feature thousands of the country’s finest wineries and their awarded wines, along with gourmet pairings provided by Whole Foods.

About SFCWC:  Founded in 1983 as the modestly sized Cloverdale Citrus Fair Wine Competition, the SFCWC is celebrating its 15th anniversary and has evolved immensely over the years, expanding its eligibility to wineries throughout the United States. In 2000, the event gained sponsorship from the San Francisco Chronicle and appropriately assumed the title the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

The proceeds of the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition support the non-profit Cloverdale Citrus Fair and help support wine and food education at educational institutions and non-profit organizations. Santa Rosa Junior College Wine Studies Program and Culinary Arts Program, Fresno State University Enology Program, California Polytechnic State University Enology Program at San Luis Obispo, and other non-profit organizations have received support from past competitions.