About
SUNSET Magazine is the leading media brand of the Western lifestyle. Its International Spirits Competition makes its winning spirits part of the most influential spirit program in the country. With the number of subscribers, demographic of the Sunset Magazine reader base and number of social media followers this competition is 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 2024 Spirit Awards winners are announced.
The Sunset Magazine International Spirits Competition will take place on October 17th and 18th in Santa Rosa, CA and the deadline for submission is October 10th, 2023. To enter your product, please fill in our online entry form.
*Note: All shipments must be received by 5pm on October 11th, 2023.
“Whether mixed into a craft cocktail or served neat, fine spirits are an integral part of the modern Western lifestyle we celebrate at Sunset,” says Editor-in-Chief Hugh Garvey. “We’re honored to yet again share the accomplishments of the top distillers and brands with our readers.”
Hugh Garvey, Editor-in-Chief
Reasons to Enter
The Spirits Market size is expected to grow from USD 584.97 billion in 2023 to USD 779.50 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 5.91% during the forecast period (2023-2028).
*It is expected that tequila will become the most valuable subcategory in the U.S. spirits market in 2023, overtaking vodka and whiskey*
Sources: 2018 MRI Doublebase. 2019 Sunset Digital Survey, 2022 & 2023 Sunset Media Kit, 2022 VinePair article, Mordor Intelligence, Gallup, Statista, and Park Street.
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 is October 10th, 2023. *Spirits delivery deadline is 5pm, October 11th, 2023.
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 17th & 18th, 2023, 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 2024 Spirit Awards winners are announced.
Please ship spirits directly to the address below. *Entries MUST arrive no later than 5pm on October 11th, 2023. 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
Entry Deadline: October 10th, 2023
Shipping Deadline: 5pm - October 11th, 2023
Judging: October 17th & 18th, 2023
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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.
2023 Judges
Chris Sawyer
Sommelier to the Stars, Radio and TV Personality
Dan Berger
Award-Winning Wine Columnist
Debra Del Fiorentino
Sommelier, CSW and CWP
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
Laura Sanfilippo
Sommelier & Restaurant Owner
Tara Heffernon
Sommelier & Restaurant Owner
Vicki Tomesello
Sommelier & Consultant
Ziggy Eschliman
Radio and TV Host, Blogger, The Contessa of Cocktails