The 8th Annual International Cabernet Franc Competition, the event has moved to Mesa, Arizona! It will be the same event structure featuring the most alluring and exquisite Cabernet Francs in production. More details will be forthcoming as registration will start on November 1st.
Who is this event for? The event will be open for both domestic and international producers of Cabernet Franc wine (min 75%), Cabernet Franc Blends (a minimum of 50% Cabernet Franc grapes) and Specialty Cabernet Franc wines (Appassimento, Blanc, Sparkling, etc., all being 50% minimum of Cabernet Franc). We have had fourteen states and five countries participating previously in the event representing 100 wines. The Best of Class awards will be for the following categories:
Specialty Division – PetNat, Sparkling, Blanc, etc. (minimum of 50% Cabernet Franc grapes)
Blend Division – A minimum of 50% Cabernet Franc grapes
Eastern Division – All states along the east coast (NY, North Carolina, Virginia, etc.)
Central Division – Michigan, Ohio, etc.
Northwest Division – Oregon, Washington and Idaho
Southwest Division – Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Texas
California Division – Broken down by six or seven various price points
International Division – All other countries besides USA
Early bird registration will open November 1st until December 1st, 2026. Wines are to be shipped after January 1st, 2027 and received by February 1st, 2027.
Why hold this event? It is to show the uniqueness and versatility of Cabernet Franc and to celebrate the wine as so much more than a blending grape. Jancis Mary Robinson the well known British wine critic, journalist and wine writer quote of Cabernet Franc sums up her feelings “I’m not a huge enthusiast of the sexual stereotyping of wines but even I can see that Cabernet Franc might be described as the feminine side of Cabernet Sauvignon. It is subtly fragrant and gently flirtatious rather than massively muscular and tough in youth. Because Cabernet Sauvignon has so much more of everything – body, tannin, alcohol, color – it is often supposed to be necessarily superior, but I have a very soft spot indeed for its more charming and more aromatic relative, Cabernet Franc.”. Cabernet Franc has adapted and transformed its personality from Chile, France, Canada, the east coast of the US, the Michigan peninsula, the Midwest and the west coast of the US.
How will the competition be judged? The event will be a blind tasting using the “Danish System”, sometimes called the group method. Unique to this event, two separate judging stations will be set up. The first will comprise of Professional Judges and the second being the People’s Choice Judges (serious consumers). Each set of Judges will award medals and award Best of Show based on geographic regions and categories. Additionally, each set of judges will select a Grand Sweepstakes winner from a taste off of all the Division & Category winners.
Who are the judges? We have invited Tom Bender once again to head up the Professional Judging Panel(s). Tom has headed the California Sierra Foothill Competition for over 35 years, served on California State Fair Judges, is a well-known writer for various wine magazines and teaches at a local college. Other judges slated include Mike Dunne retired food editor, wine columnist for the Sacramento Bee, distinguished judge emeritus at San Francisco Chronicle and other events, Fran Cunniffe a DipWSET and certified Sommelier, Tana Cole winemaker from Sonoma Valley, Napa, Lodi and Calaveras AVA’s and other judges with WSET I, II and III qualifications. People’s Choice Judges are astute individuals with years of experience. All judges are prepared with extensive documentation and profiles on Cabernet Franc’s characteristics from various geographic areas in advance. Each wine is judged on its own terroir characteristics within their respective geographic category/area and not against other regions.
Benefits for wineries participating? National exposure from California Wines and Wineries website which will run a full feature article on those receiving Grand Sweepstakes Awards. The story will also be sent to eighty blogs for reposting and all social media for a readership reach of over 600,000. Additionally, it will be submitted to two magazines with a reach of an additional readership of 1,000,000+ if reprinted. Last year we had two newspapers (both hard copy and electronically) cover the event and working now with folks in Phoenix area to cover the event.
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| Michael Kelly, founder |
Where is the event being held? It will be in Mesa, Arizona at the Commemorative Air Force Museum, a military aviation museum on March 2nd, 2027. Registration forms will be available in October 2026.
Results from the 7th Annual International Wine Competition Event can be found at:
Looking forward to another successful competition with your participation.
Cheers,
Michael Kelly, Founder of International Cabernet Franc Wine Competition