What's New in 2026
Consolidation of existing classes
To simplify the trophy judging for the Best Single Varietal White, Best Single Varietal Red and Best Red Blend, the classes will no longer be split by varietal and vintage and will now be split by varietal only. Entries will still be grouped by vintage within the varietal class.
Best Single Varietal White
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Old Class |
New Class |
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SVW001 – Fiano 2025 |
SVW001 – Fiano |
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SVW002 – Fiano 2024 & Older |
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SVW003 – Grüner Veltliner 2025 |
SVW002 – Grüner Veltliner |
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SVW004 – Grüner Veltliner 2024 & Older |
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SVW005 – Chenin Blanc 2025 |
SVW003 – Chenin Blanc |
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SVW006 – Chenin Blanc 2024 & Older |
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SVW007 – Other White Varietal 2025 |
SVW004 – Other White Varietal |
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SVW008 – Other White Varietal 2024 & Older |
Best Single Varietal Red
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Old Class |
New Class |
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SVR001 – Montepulciano 2024 & Younger |
SVR001 – Montepulciano |
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SVR002 – Montepulciano 2023 & Older |
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SVR003 – Nero d’Avola 2024 & Younger |
SVR002 – Nero d’Avola |
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SVR004 – Nero d’Avola 2023 & Older |
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SVR005 – Sangiovese 2024 & Younger |
SVR003 – Sangiovese |
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SVR006 – Sangiovese 2023 & Older |
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SVR007 – Tempranillo 2024 & Younger |
SVR004 – Tempranillo |
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SVR008 – Tempranillo 2023 & Older |
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SVR009 – Malbec 2024 & Younger |
SVR005 – Malbec |
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SVR010 – Malbec 2023 & Older |
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SVR011 – Merlot 2024 & Younger |
SVR006 – Merlot |
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SVR012 – Merlot 2023 & Older |
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SVR013 – Other Red Varietal 2024 & Younger |
SVR007 – Other Red Varietal |
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SVR014 – Other Red Varietal 2023 & Older |
Best Red Blend
|
Old Class |
New Class |
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BRB001 – Grenache Dominant Blend 2024 & Younger |
BRB001 – Grenache Dominant Blend |
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BRB002 – Grenache Dominant Blend 2023 |
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BRB003 – Grenache Dominant Blend 2022 & Older |
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BRB004 – Shiraz Dominant Blend 2024 & Younger |
BRB002 – Shiraz Dominant Blend |
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BRB005 – Shiraz Dominant Blend 2023 |
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BRB006 – Shiraz Dominant Blend 2022 & Older |
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BRB007 – Cabernet Dominant Blend 2024 & Younger |
BRB003 – Cabernet Dominant Blend |
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BRB008 – Cabernet Dominant Blend 2023 |
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BRB009 – Cabernet Dominant Blend 2022 & Older |
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BRB010 – Other Red Blend 2024 & Younger |
BRB004 – Other Red Blend |
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BRB011 – Other Red Blend 2023 |
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BRB012 – Other Red Blend 2022 & Older |
Updates to the Design Award Judging Criteria
After judge and exhibitor feedback in its inaugural year, the Design Award has had updates to the judging criteria to make it simpler and more relevant. Exhibitors will also be asked to provide a short description of the product to help inform the judges.
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Criteria |
Points |
Attribute |
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Branding, Marketing and Information |
50 |
Demonstrates shelf stand out and an integrated approach to display |
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Name or brand visibility |
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Regulatory information (for country of origin) |
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Company information |
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Other unique information |
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Language and message are appropriate for product type and intended audience |
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Successfully appeals to intended audience |
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Design |
50 |
Demonstrates excellence in print and production quality |
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Reflects excellence in design |
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Design features contribute to purchase appeal |
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Design complements bottle design |
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Integrates consumer-valued design enhancement features |
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Demonstrates an application of a ‘new idea’ (design, material or technique) |
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Demonstrates a creative use of existing ideas |
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An excellent example of an existing design/technique |
