About
SUNSET Magazine, the leading media brand of the Western lifestyle, is proud to announce the launch of the Sunset International Spirits Competition. With the number of subscribers, demographic of the Sunset Magazine reader base and amount of social media followers this competition will be a must-enter for all spirit producers desiring exposure to a perfect audience.
The esteemed judging panels represent large volume buyers, influential media, successful distillers and other professionals from the spirits category.
Winning producers will be featured in a Spring release of a Spirits Special non-print, digital edition with supporting microsite. Promotions for Spirits Award Special Issue will be placed in sunset.com, Sunset eNewsletters and Sunset social sites. The edition will be promoted and available for 12 months or until the 2023 Spirit Awards winners are announced.
The Sunset Magazine International Spirits Competition will take place on October 18th and 19th in Santa Rosa, CA and the deadline for submission is October 11th. To enter your product, please fill in our online entry form.
“From the martini to the Moscow mule, from the mezcal renaissance to the Rocky Mountain whiskey boom, spirits and the culture of cocktails have long been an integral part of the West. And Sunset has been there every step—and sip—of the way. Our annual spirits competition is one vital way for us to chronicle and celebrate the bottlings, brands, and distillers that are the figurative and literal expression of the Western spirit. As we return to the judging table yet again, we can’t wait to taste the best of the West.”
Hugh Garvey , Editor-in-Chief
Reasons to Enter
Sources: 2018 MRI Doublebase. 2019 Sunset Digital Survey, 2022 Sunset Media Kit, 2022 VinePair article
Frequently Asked Questions
The registration fee is $345 per on-line entry / $195 Mixers and Pre-Mixed Cocktails.
No, all submissions must go through our online system for better and more accurate tracking and communication.
The final deadline for entries and spirits delivery is October 11th, 2022.
An official entry shall consist of two bottles per entry for 750 ml and larger. For sizes less than 750 ml, please submit three bottles per entry.
The judging will take place October 18th-19th, in Sonoma County, CA.
Winning producers will be featured in the Spring release of a Spirits Special non-print, digital edition with supporting microsite. Promotions for Spirits Award Special Issue will be placed in sunset.com, Sunset eNewsletters and Sunset social sites. The edition will be promoted and available for 12 months or until the 2023 Spirit Awards winners are announced.
Please ship spirits directly to the address below. Entries MUST arrive no later than October 11th, 2022. Download pre-addressed shipping labels.
Sunset International Spirits Competition
c/o Express Wine Shipping
7970 Cameron Dr.
Windsor, CA 95492
Please contact Debra Del Fiorentino at: debra@winecompetitions.com
(415) 640-6337.
Official Rules
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Deadline
Shipping Deadline: October 11th, 2022.
Judging: October 18th and 19th, 2022.
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Fees
Fees are $345 per entry online or $195 for Mixers and Pre-mixed Cocktails.
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Legal
Spirits produced in any region of the world that meet the applicable federal legal requirements
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Who may enter
Open to Commercial Distillers, Craft Distillers, Producers, Importers and Distributors
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Advertising & Licensing Opportunities
Available a few months after completion of the competition, a special non-print, digital magazine edition with supporting microsite on sunset.com will launch. As part of the digital magazine there will be paid ad opportunities and paid listings in a microsite directory. These ad positions will allow for prominent placement and the larger ad units will allow for your ad to contain your label or logo image along with a link to your website and a “Buy Button” included on Awards page on Sunset.com. Also, if you are looking to leverage your award medal for commercial purposes there is a licensing program that is available upon request. This additional paid licensing program allows entrants to license, on an annual basis, the logo award for commercial purposes to boost sales using your Sunset award. As example, the licensing program will allow you to leverage the Sunset brand on your bottle label, neckers, case cards, shelf talkers and more. Please contact sunsetadops@sunset.com for pricing details for advertising and licensing opportunities.
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Entries
An official entry shall consist of two (2) bottles, each bottle no less than 750 ml in volume or larger For sizes less than 750 ml, please submit three (3) bottles per entry
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Labels
Any spirit that is delivered to the competition without a full and proper label will be disqualified from the judging. Please do not send spirits with laboratory, temporary, photocopied, or altered labels
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Medals
Please note that only Best of Class winners will be receiving medals automatically. Gold medals will be made available upon request. Digital plaques will be available for all winners for use on websites, social media sites and/or email campaigns.
2021 Judges
Chris Sawyer
Sommelier to the Stars, Radio and TV Personality, and Spirit Judge
Jason Jorgensen
Co-Founder and Head Distiller, Alley 6
Jason Schneider
General Manager, Bottle Barn. Chief Spirit Buyer
Jennifer Kelly
Sommelier, Consultant, and Spirit Expert
Larry VanAalst
Sommelier, Radio Host, The Sonoma Report, CRN Radio
Spreti Valente
Sommelier, Buyer and Consultant
Timo Marshall
Owner and Head Distiller at Spirit Works, Sonoma, CA
Traci Dutton
Educator, Sommelier CIA @ Greystone, Napa, CA
Ziggy Eschliman
Radio and TV Host, Blogger, The Contessa of Cocktails