First International Canned Wine Awards held

Over two hundred canned wines from all over the world ‘flexed their aluminum muscles’ at the first International Canned Wine Competition, held in Boonville, California. Wines from the US, France, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and England competed in the event. 

While Californian producers featured heavily on the winners list, many of the 37 gold medals went to wines from less prominent regions. Benmarl Winery of New York and Leelanau Cellars from Michigan took home three gold medals each, while Insomnia Wines won three golds and the Best of Show Red Wine for its California Pinot Noir. Sans Wine Co. 2017 Rutherford Napa Valley Riesling was awarded Best of Show White Wine.

Backpack Wine of Washington won two gold medals for its wine and a third for the package design for its Rowdy Red. Vamos! Vino 2016 Malbec from Argentina took gold medals for its wine and design of the can. Prophecy Wines won three gold medals for their beautifully illustrated cans, and both of The Uncommon cans from England won for their artwork as well.

The competition judges came from academia, marketing and the wine trade. Lead judge Robert Williams said he was “pleasantly surprised with the quality and range of the wines submitted.” Winemaker Randy Schock from Handley Cellars commented that the canned wines made him “think about how to approach winemaking outside of the bottle (and) rethink the pursuit of balance. This makes wine fun again!”

Plans are already in the works for the second annual International Canned Wine Competition, which is scheduled for Wednesday July 22, 2020.  Competition director Allan Green promises it will be “aluminating!”

Package Design Gold Medal Winners

  • Backpack Wine Rowdy Red, Columbia Valley
  • Mascareri Prosecco, Australia
  • Prophecy Pinot Noir, California
  • Prophecy Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
  • Prophecy Rosé, Vin de France
  • Ron Rubin 2018 Rosé, Russian River Valley
  • Take it to the Grave 2017 Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills
  • Take it to the Grave 2017 Shiraz, Langhorne Creek
  • The Uncommon 2018 Bacchus, England
  • The Uncommon 2018 Rosé, England
  • Vamos! Vino 2016 Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina