The N.C. State Fair Wine Competition is held at the North Carolina State Fair in October in Raleigh, and includes commercial and amateur competitions.
Commercial and amateur divisions are judged by a panel of 6 to 10 judges. The commercial division awards double gold, gold, silver, and bronze medals. The top wines of the competition compete for the Winegrower's Cup (best of show) and the Muscadine Cup. The commercial division is open to wines produced by bonded North Carolina wineries. There is a $20 fee per wine entered in the commercial competition and entry fees are payable to NC State Fair.
The amateur division is open only to home winemakers in North Carolina. Amateur winemakers may only use home prepared juices - therefore, wines from concentrates or kits are ineligible for entry. Winemakers need not attend the competition to enter. There is no fee for amateur entries.
2010 N.C. State Fair Wine Competition
Judging will occur on October 6-7. Commercial and amateur entries can be received starting August 23 through September 10.
To enter the competition, view 
Wine Competition Rules and Entry Form 2010. Gold medal commercial winners and amateur winners will be on display at the N.C. State Fair Oct. 14-24.
- 2009 - NC State Fair Wine Competition Awards 289 Medals In Commercial Winery Division
The 10th Annual N.C. State Fair Wine Competition, held October 7-8 in Raleigh, judged 416 wines submitted by 51 N.C. wineries. Childress Vineyards took home the N.C. Winegrowers Cup and Best of Show honors with its 2006 Cabernet Franc. Biltmore Winery led the medal count with 43 awards. Cypress Bend Vineyards took the N.C. Muscadine Cup for best Muscadine wine for its Campbell.
Three panels of professional judges evaluated wines and awarded 26 double gold, 40 gold, 102 silver, and 121 bronze medals. Double gold medals are awarded for unanimous decisions from the judges. Competitions were open only to N.C. winemakers, and commercial entries had to be submitted by bonded N.C. wineries. The state is home to 89 commercial wineries and several more are expected to open within the next year.
In addition to the commercial wine competition, 116 amateur wines were also judged. These home-grown wines were entered by N.C. hobbyist winemakers. Ribbons were presented to first, second and third place winners for each class of wine. Best of Show in the amateur competition was awarded to Daisy King of Pinnacle.
|
Highest Honors |
Winery |
Wine Name |
|
Best of Show |
Childress Vineyards |
Cabernet Franc 2006 |
|
Best of Muscadine |
Cypress Bend Vineyards |
Campbell |
|
Best Red Vinifera |
Childress Vineyards |
Cabernet Franc 2006 |
|
Best White Vinifera |
Cellar 4201 |
Stainless Chardonnay |
|
Best Fruit Wine |
Sanctuary Vineyards |
Blackberry |
|
Best Sparkling Wine |
Shelton Vineyards |
Blanc de Blanc Brut 2005 |
|
Best White Native American |
Sanders Ridge Vineyard |
Carlos |
|
Best Red Native American |
Cypress Bend Vineyards |
Campbell |
|
Best Muscadine Rose/Blush |
Lu Mil Vineyard |
Bladen Blush |
|
Best Vinifera Rose/Blush |
McRitchie Vineyards |
Pale Rider |
2009 NC State Fair Wine Competition Winners:
2009 NC State Fair Wine Competition Judges Notes:
All entrants received a password from the NC Wine & Grape Council. If you have difficulty downloading these files, please contact us at 919-715-9463. For information about the judges, view 2009 Judges Bios.