Sunset International Wine Competition Entry Rules

The final deadline for entries and wine delivery is May 10, 2019. The registration fee is $99 per entry online, and $109 per entry submitted by paper. Entries received after May 3, 2019 will be charged $119 per entry on line and $129 for entries not submitted online.

Click here to enter online. Click here to download the paper entry form for offline entry.

Table, sparkling, fortified, fruit, and specialty wines produced in any wine producing region of the world that meet the applicable federal legal requirements for sale in the United States are eligible for entry.

Entries must be listed on the official entry form, either directly on line or downloaded from this web site. If downloading the paper form, please complete the entire form and sign at the bottom of the page to certify that the statements on the form are correct. Failure to complete the form properly may result in disqualification.

An official entry shall consist of four (4) bottles, each bottle no less than 750 ml in volume. For containers larger than 1 liter in volume, an official entry shall consist of two (2) units. An official entry of wines, such as dessert wines, that are bottled only in 375 ml bottles shall consist of six (6) bottles, each no less than 375 ml.

Any wine that is delivered to the competition without a full and proper label will be disqualified from the judging. Please do not send wines with laboratory, temporary, photocopied, or altered labels. Please specify on the entry form how many gallons of wine were produced. A minimum of 100 gallons is required. This rule is to ensure that wines entered in the competition were produced for purchase by consumers.

By entering the competition, a winery agrees to donate one case (12 bottles) of each gold medal-­winning wine for any trade or consumer event that Sunset may hold within 12 months after the judging event. If additional bottles are requested, Sunset will purchase these at 50% of retail value.

Payments: Payment for online entries can be made by credit card through Stripe. If payments and entries are not received by May 3, 2019, wineries must pay the higher fee or the entries will not be judged, and wines will not be returned.

Shipping Instructions

Please send wines directly to:

2019 Sunset International Wine Competition

c/o Wine Country Shipping

7686 Bell Road

Windsor CA, 95492

We will accept wine shipments beginning January 4, 2019. Label wine shipments clearly with SUNSET INTERNATIONAL WINE COMPETITION and [YOUR COMPANY NAME]. You may download pre-addressed shipping labels here. 

Do not include payment/checks with your wine shipment.

Shipments will be accepted Monday through Friday from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm beginning January 4, 2019. Wine entries shipped to an address other than the one above will be disqualified, and entry fees will not be returned.

The judging will take place May 13-15 in Sonoma County, CA.

The competition reserves the right to photograph and reproduce any label entered in the competition in catalogs, posters, publications, and publicity printed by the competition. Each entrant assents to this condition.

The Sunset International Wine Competition logo remains the property of the Sunset International Wine Competition, any unauthorized use, reproduction, or alteration of the SIWC logo, trophies, and medals is strictly prohibited. Winners should contact Wine Competitions Management & Productions for logo and trademark usage.

The competition, its service contractors, and any officer, staff member, sponsor, or director of the same shall not be responsible for the safety of the wines from theft or damage by fire, earthquake, accident, vandalism or other causes. The competitor expressly waives and releases any claim or demand that he or she may have against any of them by reason of any damage to, or loss of, any wine entered in the competition.

By entering into the Sunset International Wine Competition, you agree to all of the conditions of entry. Sunset International Wine Competition reserves the right to make changes or updates to the competition at any time without notice.

In the event that the judging is not held, a portion of the fees will be refunded, based on the amount paid minus a pro rata share of the expenses for establishing and maintaining entry files.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the competition shall not be liable for failure to perform caused by an act of God, fire, earthquake, flood, wind, rain, storm, electrical failure, strike, labor dispute, riot, insurrection, war, or other causes beyond its control.