Domaine Della 2023 Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir Takes Top Prize 

November 18, 2025 — Winners have been announced in the 2025 Harvest Challenge Wine Competition. After two spirited days of judging, Domaine Della 2023 Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir took the top prize. It was also awarded Best of Show Red Wine and Best of Monterey County AVA. Coming in at 98 points, judges praised the wine as “warm and spicy” with “fig and nutmeg.” Other descriptors included “meaty,” “prosciutto,” and “dried rose petal.” 

With entries from across the globe, the Harvest Challenge bases judging on a group of vineyards (or even vines) from the same region, belonging to a specific appellation and sharing the same type of soil, weather conditions and grapes that combine to give personality to the wine. 

In other competitions, this terroir is ignored. At the Harvest Challenge, judges taste wines alongside others from the same appellation. With cross-regional competition removed, the inherent quality of wines can be seen without the influences that sometimes eclipse even a wine of very high quality.

Below is a list of Best of Class medals awarded at this year’s competition. Visit www.winecompetitions.com for more information.

2025 Harvest Challenge Wine Competition Best of Show Winners 

Best of the Best, Best of Monterey County AVA, Best Red Wine Domaine Della 2023 Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir (Best of Class, Double Gold, 98 pts.) 

Judges: “Warm, spicy”; “fig and nutmeg”; “dried rose petal”; “meaty, prosciutto” 

Best of Anderson Valley AVA, Best White Wine 

Navarro Vineyards 2024 Grüner Veltliner (BOC, GG, 98) 

Judges: “Minerality”; “white flower”; “stone fruit” 

Best Yadkin Valley NC AVA, Best Sparkling Wine 

JOLO Winery & Vineyards 2024 Pearl D Blanc (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Fun blend”; “true to varietal, balanced”; “lemon, apple pie, spice”; “great acid”; “crowd pleaser” 

Best of France, Best Rosé Wine 

Hemispheres Lacalice NV Grenache (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Really fruity but not sweet”; “element of spice”; “wild strawberry”; “rosé all day” 

Best of Ontario DVA, Best Port 

Potter Settlement Artisan Winery 2021 Tawny Portage (BOC, GG, 99) Judges: “Caramel apples”; “candied orange peel”; “dried apples”; “apricots”; “exquisite” 

Best of Argentina 

Gallo Alamos 2023 Malbec Seleccion (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Earthy, toasty, savory”; “soft tannins and a lingering finish”; “dark chocolate”; “true to varietal” 

Best of California 

Redland Ranch 2024 Chardonnay (BOC, GG, 95) 

Judges: “Ginger fruit”; “crisp, clean”; “bright tropical fruit”

Best of Central Coast AVA 

Unshackled 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Green herbs”; “dark charry, spices”; “baking chocolate”; “brambly” 

Best of Chalk Hill AVA 

Blaverne 2024 Sauvignon Blanc (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Crisp and rich”; “grapefruit”; “tropical” 

Best of Chile 

Hemispheres Alquira 2022 Carménère (BOC, GG, 98) 

Judges: “Blackberry”; “green olive”; “salty ocean”; “round with a long finish” 

Best of Clarksburg AVA 

DaVero Farms & Winery 2022 Falanghina (BOC, GG, 95) 

Judges: “Minerally”; “subtle spice”; “vaguely floral”; “layered and succulent” 

Best of Delaware AVA 

Nassau Valley Vineyards Naked Chardonnay NV (BOC, G, 90) Judges: “Well-produced”; “balanced sweetness” 

Best of Dry Creek AVA 

Amphora Winery 2022 GSM Gasparini-Beals Vineyard (BOC, GG, 97) Judges: “Complex”; “good example of true berry”; “cherry”; “nice aromas” 

Best of FingerLakes AVA 

Brashley Vineyards 2022 Wagner Vineyard Dry Riesling (BOC, GG, 97) Judges: “Wonderful nose of kumquat”; “incredible texture; “nectarine” 

Best of Fountaingrove District AVA 

Bricoloeur Vineyards 2024 Kick Ranch Viognier (BOC, G, 92) 

Judges: “Very appealing”; “nice floral nose”: “subtle yet substantive mid-palate” 

Best of Italy 

Hemispheres Cantina Etrusca 2023 Friulano (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Balanced”; “floral”; “white pear”; “good acidity” 

Best of Knights Valley AVA 

EHRET Winery 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Bavarian Lion Vineyard (BOC, GG, 98) Judges: “Cellar-worthy”; “olive oil, redwood and spice”; “well-made”

Best of Lake County AVA 

R Vineyards 2023 Reba Red (BOC, G, 94) 

Judges: “Rich and earthy”; “nice blend” 

Best of Lewis-Clark Valley AVA 

Basalt Cellars 2020 Wasem Estate Stone Garden Red (BOC, GG, 97) Judges: “Cocoa powder”; “well-integrated”; “well-balanced”; “silky tannins” 

Best of Livermore Valley AVA 

Garré Vineyard and Winery 2022 Cabernet Franc (BOC, GG, 99) Judges: “Excellent nose”; “dark raspberry”; “silky tannins”; “pleasing finish” 

Best of Mendocino County AVA 

Navarro Vineyards 2024 White Roan (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Ripe entry”; “tropical notes”; “complexity, nice acid”; “nice finish” 

Best of Mokelumne River 

Oak Farm Vineyards 2023 Grenache Noir (BOC, G, 91) 

Judges: “Strawberry”; “dry sherry”; “very berry”; “solid grenache” 

Best of Napa County AVA 

Rutherford Ranch 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (BOC, GG, 98) 

Judges: “Dark, concentrated, chewy”; “deep layers”; “well-balanced with a long finish”; “silky” 

Best of Napa Valley AVA 

Penrose Hill 2024 Anachronism Vintner’s Reserve (BOC, GG, 96) Judges: “Crowd pleaser”; “floral and zingy”; “showstopper”; “very pleasant from aroma to finish” 

Best of Nevada 

Charleston Peak Winery 2023 Sauvignon Blanc (BOC, G, 91) 

Judges: “Peach and citrus”; “refreshing”; “crisp” 

Best of New Zealand AVA 

Hemispheres Lanark 2024 Sauvignon Blanc (BOC, GG, 99) 

Judges: “Grassy”; “grapefruit”; “rich and full” 

Best of North Carolina AVA 

JOLO Winery & Vineyards 2022 Carolus XII (BOC, GG, 979)

Judges: Toast, dark fruit, hint of allspice”; “ earthy, balanced, complex”; “well-structured”; “great acid with a lingering finish” 

Best of North Coast AVA 

Predator 2024 Chardonnay (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Mineral”; “lemon pit”; “really pleasant mouthfeel” 

Best of Oak Knolls AVA 

Fortunati Vineyards 2022 Estate Chardonnay (BOC, GG, 98) 

Judges: “Apple, pear”; “nice acid”; “well-integrated throughout”; “bright finish”; “nice use of oak” 

Best of Ohio AVA 

The Vineyards at Pine Lake 2024 Vineyards White (BOC, G, 91) 

Judges: “Nice acidity and blending”; “complex with nice structure” 

Best of Paso Robles AVA 

Les Bottes à Terre 2024 Sauvignon Blanc (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Grapefruit”; “consumer friendly”; “bright and fresh”; “crowd pleaser” 

Best of Rockpile AVA 

McCarter Cellars 2024 Zinfandel Leigh Thomas Vineyard (BOC, G, 91) Judges: “Elegant”; “blackberry”; “spicy notes” 

Best of Rogue Valley AVA 

Belle Fiore 2022 Icon Montepulciano (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Black cherry, spice”; “lip-smacking dark fruit”; “earthy”; “controlled tannins” 

Best of Russian River Valley AVA 

McCarter Cellars 2023 Pinot Noir (BOC, GG, 98) 

Judges: “Bright fruit — cherry, blueberry”; “caramel”; “crème brûlée” 

Best of San Luis Rey 

Charleston Peak Winery 2019 Left Bank Blend (BOC, G, 93) 

Judges: “Bright red fruit”; “well integrated”; “seamless with a great finish” 

Best of Santa Cruz Mountains AVA 

Perrucci Family Vineyard 2022 Estate Malbec (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Black fruit”; “lovely, easy”; “bright and outstanding”

Best of Santa Rita Hills AVA 

Fortunati Vineyards 2023 Pinot Noir (BOC, G, 94) 

Judges: “Bright red fruit”; “clean, beautifully balanced”; “baked berries” 

Best of Santa Ynez Valley AVA 

Brick Barn Wine Estate 2022 Rhône Blend (BOC, GG, 99) 

Judges: “Plum”; “currant”; “bold” 

Best of Shenandoah Valley AVA 

Fraser Family Vineyards 2024 Dolcetto (BOC, GG, 96) 

Judges: “Cocoa powder”; “dark fruits”; “savory herbs”; “rosemary” 

Best of Solano 

Legis Vineyards & Winery 2021 Estate Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (BOC, G, 91) 

Judges: “Varietally correct”; “black peppercorn”; “seamless, smooth finish” 

Best of Sonoma Coast AVA 

Domaine Della 2023 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (BOG, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Red plum and cherry”; “spicy”; “earthy with a long finish” 

Best of Sonoma County AVA 

Brue Skok Cellars 2018 Judge’s Verdict Rhône Style Red Blend (BOC, GG, 99) Judges: “Lively fresh blend”; “great food wine”; “blueberry and peppercorn” 

Best of Sonoma Valley AVA 

Rock and Clay Wines 2024 White Blend (BOC, GG, 99) 

Judges: “Honeyed apricot, quince”; “bright stone fruit”; “superb nose”; “perfect mouthfeel”; “makes me want to own a yacht” 

Best of South Africa AVA 

Weelderige Velde 2024 Pinotage (BOC, G, 94) 

Judges: “Black cherry and coffee” 

Best of Spain 

Finca del Marquesado 2024 Tempranillo Blanc (BOC, GG, 98) 

Judges: “Candied grapefruit”; “bright, zingy”; “zesty finish”; “crowd pleaser” 

Best of Tehama County AVA 

New Clairvaux Vineyard 2024 Albariño St. James Block (BOC, GG, 99)

Judges: “Wonderful stone fruit aroma”; “lemon curd”; “honey flavored with touch of brine” 

Best of Temecula Valley AVA 

Churon Winery 2023 Estate Tempranillo (BOC, G, 94) 

Judges: “Crunchy red fruit”; “pleasant mouthfeel”; “gentle, earthy notes” 

Best of Virginia AVA 

Pearmund Cellars 2022 Cabernet Franc Silver Creek Vineyard (BOC, GG, 99) Judges: “Olives”; “green tea”; “dried bay leaves”; “green peppercorn” 

Best of Washington State AVA 

Basalt Cellars 2019 Estate Merlot (BOC, GG, 97) 

Judges: “Refreshing”; “terroir-based”; “brambly”